Foster knows it is possible to reverse being

Richard Foster has been trying to shoot down one, or both, halves of the Old Firm for almost half his life – and knows there is no silver bullet.

But the 34- year- old former Aberdeen, Rangers and St Johnstone defender insists there are simple rules of engagement.

Hard work, concentration, tireless running and a bit of extra muscle, while breathing down opponents’ necks, can all combine to good effect.

Above all, though, there needs to be a healthy dose of good luck.

Ross County’s summer signing knows the Staggies might need a fair dash of good fortune in Dingwall today as the Premiership’s leakiest defence meets its most-lethal attack.

The fiery full- back was only 18 when Henrik Larsson & Co. first tutored him on those harsh truths.

In only his third senior Aberdeen appearance, in October 2003, the great Swede sank a hat-trick past Steve Paterson’s Dons, while Chris Sutton rattled in the fourth from the penalty spot.

Much to Foster’s delight, though, the tables turned on Aberdeen’s next trip to Celtic Park.

In April 2004, a Larsson first-half opener seemed to point towards another Celtic walkover. But second- half replies from Bryan Prunty and David Zdrilic grasped an unlikely win.

With a clutch of shocks against Celtic and Rangers down the years, Foster is hardly going to write off his current team on the back of last month’s 6-0 beating at Parkhead.

He said: “that first time I played Celtic, we took a heavy defeat.

“Back in the day, you could easily lose four or five. Or you could beat them if they were a bit off-colour.

“When we bounced back to beat them, we actually had a young team and a lot of injuries. But they were not quite at it. It was a bit of a freak result.

“But we were determined and dogged, and fought for every ball – and we have to do that today.

“That win actually ended Celtic’s home record of over 100 home games without defeat. Barcelona, Ajax and, I think, AC Milan had come to Parkhead and not won.

“Then we turn up, a team of rag- tag nobodies from Aberdeen, and beat them 2-1. It was a good night.

“These are the experiences you try to draw on when you face them and, hopefully, it goes the same way.

“You either hope they turn up expecting to win, and don’t give 100%, or you hope we