Next Sunday’s Old Firm game will come down to just who wants it the most
Between now and next Sunday, they have important Premiership and Europa League games to play. But there’s no doubt Celtic and Rangers will already have one eye on the first Old Firm meeting of the season.
Playing high- octane, pressurised European ties, with huge financial rewards riding on them, may not appear the best preparation for their High Noon showdown at Ibrox. John Hartson, however, knows different.
During his time with Celtic, he was part of a team which regularly played in Europe while meetings with Rangers were dominating the headlines.
Indeed, in the space of 10 days in 2003, he scored the winner in a Glasgow derby at Celtic Park, missed a penalty at Hampden as the Hoops lost the League Cup Final to Rangers, then scored a crucial goal against Liverpool at Anfield en route to the UEFA Cup Final in Seville.
Hartson recalled: “When I was at Celtic, playing Rangers on the back of a tough midweek European fixture was exactly what the players wanted. “We’d far rather have had that than coming back to play in a lessercharged atmosphere.
“That has to be the mentality for the Celtic players on their return from Sweden next Friday morning. “There can’t be any sign of weakness or negativity in their words and thoughts.
“Sure, I get that it’s not ideal to have such little preparation time for the coaching staff, and not as much as rest and recovery for the players, but you get on with it.
“The same will go for Rangers after their Europa League return against Legia Warsaw.
“But Old Firm games take care of themselves. There is no motivation required.
“For Celtic, going to Ibrox and getting a positive result is how you win titles.
“They lost at Ibrox on their two league visits last season, and they will not want to give Rangers any encouragement and allow them to build up even the slightest of leads in the title race.
“But if Neil Lennon feels the need to hammer home a few points, he only has to remind the players that the next nine months could give them absolutely secure legendary status.
“Yes, the likes of Scott Brown, Callum Mcgregor, James Forrest and Tom Rogic already have that because they have been part of the treble Treble.
“But securing nine- in- a- row takes it to another level. That would mean four years of incredible achievements, and the players would be right up there. “Outwith winning the European Cup, it would be as good a period as the club has ever known.
“I’m not trying to simplify it, but the battle with Rangers this season almost comes down to one question – who wants it the most?
“Is it more important to Celtic to win nine- in- a- row, or does it mean more to Steven Gerrard and his squad as being the group that stopped nine-in-a-row?
“Having been a team- mate of Neil’s for five seasons, I know about his passion and will to win. He will do everything in his power to make it happen.
“Don’t forget the success he has achieved as a player and manager at Celtic.
“He should be respected and definitely doesn’t deserve to be written off.
“It’s been a tough little spell after the Champions League defeat to Cluj. But they are back on the right road, and will now just focus on one game at a time.
“Neil will make sure the players are not looking too far ahead.
“The game against Hearts will be a tough fixture. Craig Levein has a more- than- decent team, and they will be feeling fresh and ready to cause an upset.
“But Celtic will be confident after their good performance in the 2- 0 win against AIK. They needed that win, and a clean sheet is a lovely bonus.”
James Forrest and Odsonne Edouard were the scorers in that game, and the Frenchman’s finish was special.
Hartson rates the former PSG man highly, but also respects the firepower in Steven Gerrard’s team.
For Celtic, going to Ibrox and getting a positive result is how you win league titles
The Welshman continued: “I really rate Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths. They are both talented footballers, and know the way to goal.
“Odsonne was in the goals the other night and continues to show how talented he is.
“It’s unusual for managers nowadays to play with two strikers as a partnership, but if there is a way of doing it and Neil fancies it, then you shouldn’t rule it out. “Goals win games, but you have to be mindful of keeping the back door shut and keeping clean sheets.
“But what a great feeling it must be for Neil to have two top players ready to do the business.
“It has to be said it’s the same for Rangers.
“Steven has Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe at his disposal. They have both started the season well and have been in the goals.
“The central midfield will also be a key area next Sunday.
“Celtic have their skipper, Scott Brown, a man who has been brilliant for a decade, and still has that hunger to succeed.
“The same, however, applies to Steven Davis. He has had a fantastic career for his different clubs and his country.
“He knows how to run the game from the middle of the park, that’s for sure.
“The engine is so important, and you need to be able to put your foot on the ball and lift your head.
“The team that can do that the quickest, and retains its composure, will have a far greater chance of winning.”
As ever, Hartson will watch the game unfold, hoping for a Hoops victory.
He said: “It’s hard to put into words just what playing for Celtic against Rangers meant to me. I had some great highs in that fixture, and just loved to beat them.
“I wanted that moment more than anything, and it felt even better when I had scored against Rangers and it helped the team to beat them.
“With it being the first meeting of the clubs this season, Sunday’s clash takes on extra importance. It’s a game you dare not lose.
“Rangers will feel that there is a real advantage in their favour with having almost 50,000 of their fans inside the stadium, and Celtic being limited to under 1,000 tickets.
“What will be interesting is if Celtic can score first. They didn’t manage to take the lead in their visits last season, and they will want to do that to ask questions of their opponents.
“As ever, it’s a real tough one to predict. Home advantage has been key in this fixture for the past year or so.
“Neil and his players will want to win and I want Celtic to win, of course.
“But I w o u l d n’t be over l y disappointed with a draw.”