Numan is sure keeping calm can prove key

The foreigners won’t know what it means to play Celtic

RACE-GOERS were left disappointed yesterday when the opening day of the Ayr Gold Cup festival was cancelled and while it was a blow to two VIP attendees, it’s fair to say Arthur Numan and Paul Elliott have their eyes on another sporting event this week.

Veterans of nearly 30 Old Firm games between them, it’s derby day at Ibrox that is dominating their thoughts and, like many, they are wondering how Rangers can land a blow on Celtic.

Numan, who won six and lost seven of 16 derbies, feels it is crucial that the new players don’t succumb to provocation or get caught up in the heat of battle and for that reason insists Kenny Miller must play to offer a steadying influence.

He said: ‘Scott Brown knows what to do against Rangers, so it’s important for the Rangers players to keep calm and stay focused.

‘They must not take the bait and get involved — especially the Latin American players, who tend to have that passion.

‘I went to the South American Youth Cup earlier this year and you could see the mentality of the players. They have this go-for-it attitude and a winning mentality which is sometimes missing in Holland, for example.

‘But they will need to control it — especially with Scott Brown on the park.

‘He has the same winning mentality — just like Barry Ferguson and Neil Lennon in my day — and you need that in your team.

‘Rangers will have a lot of Old Firm debutants, a bit like my first derby.

‘We didn’t know what was happening and the Scottish players tried to explain it to us. For the foreign boys, they won’t realise what it means to play Celtic.

‘I hope they are not too eager as that’s when you make mistakes or pick up a stupid yellow or red card.

‘The most important thing is that they don’t lose their mind. I recall in the last game Myles Beerman conceded a penalty early on.

‘He was maybe too focused and that can lead to mistakes and cost you the game.’

Numan believes Rangers will need their experienced players to provide a calming influence, such as Miller and Euro 2016 winner Bruno Alves if he is passed fit.

‘I hope that Alves makes it because they will need his experience at the back with Lee Wallace ruled out,’ added the Dutchman. ‘If he doesn’t, it will be Ross McCrorie and he has only just played as a substitute in the Partick Thistle game.

‘I also saw him play for Scotland in the Under-21 game against Holland — and he came on in that game too — so I don’t know much about him.

‘If you play a youngster against Celtic then you need experienced players around him to help him and guide him.

‘I think Kenny Miller will at least start the game because he knows what it is like and he can help the others.’ Rangers were the dominant force when Elliott joined Celtic in 1989, but he did help them knock their rivals out of the Scottish Cup twice in his two years at Parkhead.

Elliott said: ‘Rangers were the leading side back then, no question but we never had an inferiority complex.

‘Look at the record books and Celtic actually did quite well against Rangers in games.

‘We lost the Skol Cup final in 1990 but I remember we put them out the Scottish Cup a couple of times.

‘Our record was quite good — so I don’t think there was any kind of complex.

‘If Rangers win this game, it could kick them on as confidence is 95 per cent of football.

‘Rangers are at home, it’s the first Old Firm of the season and they will want to give their fans something to be energised about.’