3-0 mauling a lesson learned

GIO: WE’RE IN BETTER SHAPE THIS TIME

THE old definition of madness is to keep doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results.

To be fair, Gio van Bronckhorst would really have been in danger of losing his marbles had he stuck by the tactics that saw his first Old Firm experience as boss end in a Parkhead feeding frenzy.

Reo Hatate’s fifth-minute opener was a sensescrambler and Rangers were still wobbling when the Japanese ace swept home a sensational second.

They would have been as well throwing in the towel when Liel Abada’s (inset) strike made it game over by the break. It was the type of disjointed, senseless display that can only really fully unravel amid the crazed mania of derby action. But to ignore the flaws that gave rise to such mayhem would have been bonkers.

“We have learned, of course,” said van Bronckhorst. “The two Old Firms after that were different from the one we played in February.

“On Sunday, we have to see and we will prepare the game well and the team well to go out and make sure we do everything we can do to get a good result.

“The players and the team have developed from that moment.

“We’re in much better shape and momentum now.”

Tomorrow’s showdown will be the third time Gers have gone toeto-toe with their bitter rivals in the space of 29 days. That kind of hectic schedule would be gruelling enough without the Light Blues’ added Europa League exertions.

Van Bronckhorst said: “You want to play big games in a good ambience and we have had plenty of those matches in recent weeks.

“It’s the third time against Celtic in so short a time but it is an Old Firm, you must enjoy it and do everything to make sure you get a good result. It is a great game to be involved in.

“My objective, my job and what I am doing at the moment is to make sure I have my players well prepared.

“Mentally, physically – also make sure I look at my team and at the physicality of my players.

“I know my players will give everything on Sunday again to get a good result.

“That’s all I’m asking them to do. “That’s what they have been doing for the last couple of months in a very hectic schedule.

“So we just keep on doing that. It’s still double fixtures until the end of the season. But we are enjoying the moment we are in and take every week game by game.

“So Sunday, we go again. We will recover, we will prepare well and give 100 per cent in a good performance.

“It is a hectic schedule, it is hard work for everyone but everyone is giving 100 per cent and doing their best to prepare for the game.”