McManus is fearful of Ibrox threat

STEPHEN McMANUS, one of the most passionate and committed Old Firm players in the modern era, was honest in his assessment. He truly believes that Rangers could have the beating of his former club at Hampden tomorrow.

The ex-Celtic captain was at the heart of some of the club’s great derby triumphs in the last decade, including the back-to-back victories that led to the title in 2008 and the thrilling League Cup Final success the following season.

He wore his heart on his sleeve on these occasions, but his head is telling him this week that there might be more trouble ahead for embattled manager Ronny Deila.

McManus accepts that last season’s meeting in the League Cup semi-final, which Celtic won 2-0, was a mis-match. However, he feels Rangers have every opportunity to succeed tomorrow.

‘When you consider the one last year, I don’t think the Rangers fans properly believed they could win it,’ said the Motherwell captain.

‘This year, there’s a real air of optimism that they can have a go at Celtic and win the game. It’s been a sticky season at points for Celtic. Ronny Deila’s been under immense pressure and dealt with it very, very well. I just hope it’s a good occasion.

‘I didn’t go to the last one because I had a game with our Under-17s. I’ll be watching this one on the telly and I’m looking forward to it.

‘The hype’s been great and it’s because of how well Rangers have been doing this year.

‘Mark Warburton and Davie Weir have done a terrific job with what’s practically an entirely new team.

‘They’ll rely a lot on Lee Wallace and Kenny Miller to guide the lads who have never experienced it, just as I think Charlie Mulgrew, Scott Brown and Kris Commons will be invaluable for Celtic.

‘The last Old Firm game didn’t feel like a real one. The gulf in class was evident. I genuinely believe there won’t be that big a jump between the teams this year.

‘I’ve only seen Rangers when they have been on telly, but I think they’ve got to play the way they usually do because that’s how they have had success.

‘Celtic will look at Rangers’ biggest strength (their attacking play) as their biggest weakness. I don’t think they’ll change.

‘Mark is an experienced manager. You can see that with the way he speaks before and after games. He’ll be tactically aware of what is at stake.

‘I do think Celtic have the better players. On the day, form goes out the window and whoever plays well and handles the occasion best will win the game.’

There is little doubt Deila boasts a stronger squad, but the way Rangers play may thwart the attacking threat of the entertainers in the Celtic side.

Equally, if Warbuton’s men play as openly as they normally do, they could play into the hands of Leigh Griffiths, according to McManus.

‘Patrick Roberts might spend the full game tracking Lee Wallace,’ said McManus. ‘Lee is one of Rangers’ main players and it’s going to be a really exciting battle looking at their two full-backs going forward.

‘Celtic’s wide players going forward are the same. You have Griffiths as well. The first goal will be key. It will settle the nerves.

‘It has the makings of a terrific game. Celtic’s back four have been heavily criticised, as have Rangers’, so it could be a really exciting game.

‘There are a lot of good players on show and this is when they will really get a feeling of what an Old Firm game is like.

‘You could have the best game in the world but, if you are on the losing side, it doesn’t matter. It’s all about winning with whatever it takes.’

McManus just hopes all 22 players keep their cool, and urged referee Craig Thomson not to spoil proceedings with a flurry of early cards.

However, he knows from his own experience that even stalwarts of the fixture can lose their minds in this environment.

‘You try and treat it the same way as any other game, but the emotion and atmosphere sucks you in. That’s why you see so many yellow and red cards,’ continued McManus. ‘I remember my first Old Firm game, which was at Ibrox in 2005. Gordon Strachan said to us all: “Look, you need to be careful”. He had never experienced it as a player.

‘I think Alan Thompson got sent off for a tackle on Nacho Novo. Yet he was someone who was brilliant for Celtic in Old Firm games. He’d score goals and always played well.

‘He went in for a tackle and the ref reacts because the fans react.

‘The referee has to be strong, keep a lid on things but you don’t want him to waste the game. You want him to be the one keeping a lid on it and, hopefully, he will.’

Motherwell stars Stephen McManus and Stephen Pearson, with the help of european tour pro Stephen Gallacher, are taking part in a golf challenge on May 20 to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.