Will Jason celebrate scoring against his old mates? You can bet on it...
FOR Jason Cummings, matches between Rangers and Hibs were an occasion to show off his prowess as a master marksman and financial adviser.
‘I say to everyone to back me to score the first goal because it’s free money,’ the former Easter Road striker memorably bragged in April 2016.
‘The odds are getting slashed every week I play against Rangers because it’s like printing money.
‘A few people have made a few quid off me.’
A month on from that bold declaration, Cummings drew a rare blank against Rangers in a 3-2 victory.
But he entered Leith folklore forever that day as part of the Hibs team that won the Scottish Cup for the first time in 114 years.
In total, Cummings scored eight goals in 11 matches against Rangers as the two teams vied for cup silverware and promotion to the top flight.
However, the big-game hunter of the Hibernian fans will today become the hunted.
His move to Rangers on loan from Nottingham Forest last month has not gone down too well and a hot reception awaits at Ibrox today from those who used to idolise him.
The new darling of the Rangers fans after his winning goal at Ross County last week, team-mate James Tavernier is backing Cummings to thrive on any abuse he gets today from the Hibs support in Govan.
‘I did not know that Jason had said betting on him to score against Rangers was like printing money,’ laughed defender Tavernier, who is out for revenge for Hibs winning 3-1 at Ibrox in September.
‘I’ll have to have a look at that and maybe batter Jason for it!
‘But if he gets stick from the Hibs fans today, I am sure he will overcome that.
‘He won’t let it get to him. He is the type of lad who thrives in games like this.
‘He’s a Rangers player now and we are at Ibrox, so he will get some stick from the away fans but he will have 50,000 home fans behind him.
‘Will he celebrate if he scores? Definitely. If he starts or comes on he will always be guaranteed to get a goalscoring chance in this team and hopefully he takes it.
‘From day one, you knew that Jason had a goal in him and he showed it last weekend at Ross County. He’s settled in straight away and got off to a good start with that goal. I think it’s only going to go upwards from him.
‘We all look forward to games against Hibs but the last time we played them at Ibrox it wasn’t the result we wanted.
‘We don’t like losing, especially at home, so I suppose you could say this is a chance for a bit of payback.’
Rangers manager Graeme Murty knows Cummings has been looking forward to today’s game ever since he made the switch to Ibrox.
He is not worried by the prospect of the young forward scoring and doing something silly. But his experienced No 2, Jimmy Nicholl, will talk to the irrepressible 22-year-old just in case.
‘Jason is excited,’ said Murty. ‘He just wants to be a brilliant goalscorer for the big occasions and I don’t think they get much bigger for him than this game.
‘We will make sure that when Jason gets the opportunity to make a statement, it is one which shows him and the club in a good light.
‘My only concern with Jason is if I don’t pick him from the start because he will be frustrated.
‘What he could do, if he doesn’t play, is to use that frustration when he comes off the bench and make a positive contribution to the team — which is all I ask the players to do.
‘But in terms of managing the situation, Jimmy Nicholl will have a quiet word in his ear.’
For all Cummings will feel the heat today, Hibs boss Neil Lennon will get the brunt of the abuse at Ibrox due to his past as a Celtic manager and captain.
‘I have no doubt the fans will inform Neil of their opinion and keep him abreast of the score if we are ahead,’ smiled Murty. ‘As far as I’m concerned, we are here to make the fans smile and enjoy the game. We can only do that by doing our jobs properly and if that happens the noise levels and intensity will go up across the board.
‘If we do that, then fantastic. But Neil is not someone who will shrink away from that.
‘He will stand there and take it and try to do the best job for his team — as we all do.
‘I get on fine with Neil. I know he’s a passionate guy and he can be quite feisty but that’s a big part of football.
‘I was a bit concerned after the Easter Road game in December when we won 2-1 as we maybe didn’t deserve all three points. But when I went in to see him he was fine; perfectly candid, open and warm. He had seen my interview when I was honest and forthright about the manner of our win. I think he respects honesty and people who tell it as it is. ‘We saw that game the same way — we were maybe a little lucky to get all three points but we showed really good attributes to win it. ‘We will need to show those very same attributes and more to get a result against Hibs on Saturday.’