Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GERS HAVE WES AND MEANS OF WINNING
WES FODERINGHAM insists there’s no team he’d rather face than Celtic.
The Rangers keeper has described the prospect of staring down the six-in-a-row champions at Parkhead as the “perfect” fixture.
That’s despite the fact that Rangers have not won against the Hoops in the last seven derbies, including a couple of 5-1 humblings home and away that have only served to boost the confidence of Celtic fans about the prospects of 10-in-a-row.
Foderingham has won just once in the fixture, the Scottish Cup semifinal in April 2016, and has picked the ball out of the net on 17 occasions in the six matches he has played, four of which have ended in defeat.
Still, the 26-year-old refuses to be cowed heading into the final game before the winter break.
He said: “It’s the perfect fixture, the boys are all looking forward to it. A victory would be massive. I know the fans are desperate for a win, as are we, so it’s the perfect fixture to end before the break.
“We try not to listen to those writing us off because what’s most important is what is said between the four walls of our dressing-room. We’re confident and if we can try and find a little bit more consistency in our performances we won’t go too far wrong.
“Celtic have shown they are a fantastic team. They’ve got great players, international players. But we have got decent players as well.
“They have been beaten and dropped points as well so, listen, they are not unbeatable.
“We have to go there positive, look to attack and be a bit more solid. Hopefully, we’ll get a good result.
“We have enough belief. Playing for this football club is a massive responsibility and the boys realise that. We know we have to go there and put on a good performance. Ultimately, we’ll go in there and try to win.
“Daunting? No, I really enjoy these games. It is the reason why I came here – to play in big fixtures and test myself and I am sure the boys think the same as well.”
Foderingham added: “A criticism of us in the past is we can’t stand up and fight. We have shown we can do it this season and we need more of that in this game, as well as a bit more quality on the ball.”