CELTS STRIKE WAS A SCORE ONE TO TAKE
SCOTT WRIGHT insists his Old Firm bow was soured by a clean-sheet blemish and Rangers’ failure to bank a win.
The 23-year-old believes it’s a measure of the high standards being set under Steven Gerrard that losing a goal and sharing a point with Celtic are seen as not good enough.
The Ibrox side conceded for only the 10th time in the league this season and Wright admits it’s still a sore one to take.
He said: “It’s a great fixture to be involved in but it was a game where we wanted to come and win, get the three points and a clean sheet.
“We pride ourselves on clean sheets and you can see that throughout our season.
“Unfortunately we haven’t done that and we are disappointed to come away with a draw.
“We know they are a good team and, although we started the game well, we found ourselves a goal down.
“It’s a great show of the boys’ mentality this year that they still have the confidence to get on the ball and play.
“Eventually we got the goal, which I thought we deserved. Then it was just a case of trying to push on for another.”
Wright admits he was well aware of the high stakes in a fixture all about keeping Rangers’ unbeaten run intact.
The former Aberdeen striker also insists talk of being part of an invincibles side for this campaign isn’t getting an airing inside the Light Blues’ dressing room.
Wright said: “It is something we don’t really speak about. It is just a case of coming to every game that we play, trying to get the three points and keep a clean sheet. You just treat every game the same.
“Obviously it is a bit different without the fans but playing in Scotland before, I know the magnitude of the game and the tension.
“At the end of the day, it is just another game. We had to focus on getting the three points and keeping a clean sheet.
“Although we haven’t done that, we still stay unbeaten and we go on to the next game.
“We have the Scottish Cup to look forward to and that’s always something to push for. But we will focus on the league as well.”
Wright made a positive impression in his 13minute cameo in the east end of Glasgow with several darting runs.
And he revealed boss Gerrard had instructed him to try to make an attacking impact.
Wright said: “He thought they would be tiring a wee bit so to try to bring my energy to the game.
“It’s great he has faith in me. That’s something I work hard for – to get trust from the manager.
“The game was going a wee bit flat and that was what I was trying to do – get on the ball and make things happen.
“He wanted me to try to bring some pace to the game, create some chances and get us a bit further up the pitch.
“It goes both ways. I feel the benefit because I come on and feel fresh – and hopefully the defenders are a bit tired.
“But then you are coming on to the game and you need to get up to the speed. I have got good players around me who help me to get the ball and get into positions to attack the other team.”