KOP A LOAD OF THIS
Callum: Eyes of world will be on Glasgow today because of box office boss clash
CALLUM MCGREGOR admits having Brendan Rodgers v Stevie G on the posters is proper box office for Scottish football – and it brings an even bigger edge to the Old Firm.
This afternoon heralds the first managerial clash between former Liverpool boss Rodgers and Kop legend Gerrard.
The reunion certainly ratchets up the intrigue surrounding the first Old Firm game of the season and Celtic midfielder Mcgregor said: “We’ve spoken about this over the last few seasons – the more big names we get into Scottish football the better.
“That’s what we have this season. I was slightly surprised at the appointment but when he was offered the chance to manage a massive club he took it.
“Is there more of an edge because of them (Rodgers and Gerrard)? Probably. Down south there will be more people tuning in.
“And again that’s good for Scottish football so we have to relish that as a nation and a league to try and promote the game.”
One change to the spectacle this afternoon will be the lack of an away support.
The tit for tat row sparked by Rangers means only 800 in light blue will be wedged into Celtic Park today.
But Mcgregor shrugged: “I don’t think it will have too big an impact on the atmosphere.
“The home team will maybe have more of an advantage but I think the games will still have the same hype and the same atmosphere on the day.
“At home it will be extra special and going away it will be a difficult place to go. But these games are always difficult, you need the will to win.”
Celtic’s dominance of the derby in the past two years under Rodgers has been absolute.
Nine wins and two draws in 11 meetings, 30 goals for and only six against.
But Mcgregor knows that can turn in a heartbeat and he insists Celtic are taking nothing for granted against a team vastly different from the one they’ve beaten to death. He said: “When you watch them now, you can tell they have a real team spirit and have good quality all around the pitch.
“They have signed a lot of players, they have two for each position now.
“That competition for places drives the standard up and that has been important here.
“They’ve come through the qualification process for the Europa League, which is tough, so you have to give them credit. But they haven’t played us.”
Mcgregor (left) has scored in four of the last seven Old Firm meetings, a stat that brings an instant grin to his face.
“That’s not bad, and it’s two in the last two as well so I hope to add to that tally.
“We have to try to take some confidence from what we’ve done over the past few seasons.
“But again, it’s a totally different Rangers side with a new manager. They will be coming here with confidence so that will be a test for us.”
But Mcgregor is quietly confident himself, and won’t hesitate to break forward at every opportunity today because he has full belief in the man behind him – inspirational Hoops skipper Scott Brown.
He said: “Playing in there alongside Broony for the last two or three seasons has taken my game to a new level.
“On the defensive side too, he’s always on me to make tackles and track back.
“Then when the ball is ours, to get forward and make something happen. “Do everything, basically! “He gives us that platform, that licence to go forward and make things happen.”