Gregory urges Gers to throw down gauntlet

GREGORY VIGNAL hopes Rangers can turn the Premiership spotlight on Celtic by clinching an Old Firm win tomorrow.

Graeme Murty’s side will move to within three points of their Glasgow rivals if they emerge victorious in the third derby clash of the season.

Many Gers fans have started to dream about a potential title bid in the closing weeks of the term.

And former Govan defender Vignal (inset), who lifted the silverware in 2005, reckons the pressure would be on Brendan Rodgers and his players if the Light Blues were successful at Ibrox.

“I think so,” Vignal said when asked if a Rangers win could put doubt into Celtic’s minds. “But we have to win first, so that is why it is a big game.

“I would like to see a win at Ibrox, I think the fans have been waiting for that. It would be good for the club and good for Graeme as well.

“He has been here for a few months and it would be good for him to get a win against Celtic.

“I agree with this [that Celtic have not been under pressure from Rangers]. Like I said, it depends on Sunday.

“But we are at home, there will be a full house and we have won the last six games and scored a lot of goals. I think the confidence is high for us. It is a big game.

“You can speak all day long about the Old Firm because there are so many things to say but I think now is maybe the right time, a good time, to get a win.

“The situation now is not the same. The club has come back after five years. We have to close the gap.

“It is a new project. That is why Mark [Allen] is here and the club is working hard to get back to a high level.

“We are not under pressure. If we win, it will be great for the club.

“That is why we just have to play the game and try to win the game. I think it will be a great advert for Graeme if we win. It will give him confidence as well.”

Vignal famously scored at Parkhead as Alex McLeish’s side clinched a huge win on their way to SPL glory on Helicopter Sunday 13 years ago.

The Frenchman has recently returned to Glasgow to take up a coaching role at Auchenhowie and has fond memories of his Old Firm outings.

Vignal said: “I was just so happy – I knew the manager wanted the win. I was close to Alex McLeish and also played with a broken arm.

“People told me not to play the game as I had a broken arm but I said to the boss, ‘I have to play, we have to win’. It was such an emotional day.

“Playing for a big club brings a big pressure – the people are always expecting a lot.

“The type of atmosphere at Rangers really helped me as a player. I would thrive on it.

“The Old Firm game is a massive game. I think this is the right time for us to win. It is very important to close the gap. If we win on Sunday we will be close to Celtic.

“Every Old Firm game is a big game. We are not under pressure, Celtic are under pressure.

“They know if they lose against us on Sunday the gap will be small. We have to play the game and be focused and try

to win.”