Same again lads
THE OLD FIRM IS BACK
STEVEN GERRARD has challenged his Rangers players to replicate the performance they produced at Celtic Park in December to take all three points today.
Ibrox boss Gerrard takes his team across the city with a one-point lead at the top of the table, having played a game more than their rivals.
Despite Celtic contending
with a number of Covidrelated absentees, he insists his men will have to play at the level that saw them win at Parkhead for the first time in a decade just before New Year.
Rangers played superbly to win 2-1 that day through goals from Ryan Kent and Niko Katic and Gerrard is demanding the same kind of display today at lunchtime.
He said: “We want the players to go to Celtic Park with belief and confidence but we certainly won’t be going there over-confident, just on the back of last year.
“We know it’s going to be a very tough challenge and we need to find a real top level performance if we are to have hopes of taking the points.
“It will be a tough game. We managed to get a win there for the first time in a very long time, which lets everyone know how difficult the task is and has been for many years going to Celtic Park.
“They’re a good team. They’re a strong and successful team but we went there last year with a game plan and we performed really well.
“The players went there with a confidence and belief and got the job done. We’re hoping the players can go and produce a similar type of performance.”
The match will be played behind closed doors and Gerrard believes his players have coped well with the unique circumstances of a season that continues to see fans locked out.
He added: “It has been very unique preparation going into an Old Firm game, with not mumuch time on the training pitpitch and players arriving late ( frfrom international duty).
“My view is that you judge it on the results and our reresults, so far, have been prpretty good. We’ve adapted rereally well.”