CAM HEAD IN A STORM
Stubbs: Celts stopper a key man at Ibrox
ALAN STUBBS reckons that cool-hand Cameron Carter-Vickers again holds a big key to Celtic earning success at Ibrox.
The ex-Parkhead defender believes the American’s assurance and the leadership of skipper Callum McGregor can offer inspiration to their teammates and take the heat out of the Old Firm cauldron.
Stubbs knows the influence of Carter-Vickers within Brendan Rodgers’ unit is massive.
And as a former centre-back himself, the Liverpudlian is appreciative of the talents possessed by the World Cup stopper.
Exactly two years ago today, Carter-Vickers scored a winning goal at one end and defended heroically at the other as Ange Postecoglou’s men grabbed a priceless victory in Govan.
Stubbs, though, believes Carter-Vickers’ ability to lift others around him is equally as vital as his own contribution will be.
The United States star is now returning to peak fitness having suffered injury issues at various points of this campaign.
Carter-Vickers’ return at such a key time of the season is crucial to Celtic and Stubbs explained: “The biggest thing about him since he has come back into the team is just the presence of his being there amongst all the other players.
“When you have your big players and you are going to the big grounds, you need that.
“When you have the likes of a
Carter-Vickers you think: Yeah, we’ve got a chance here.
“He brings a calmness, an assurance, experience, but also confidence as well.
“It is going to need calm heads because the one thing with an Old Firm game is that your emotions can run wild.”
Emotions are key heading into the contest, as John Kennedy stated earlier in the week.
But Celtic’s assistant quickly insisted Lennoxtown will be the calmest place in Scotland leading up to the showdown as the coaching team and players take a controlled approach through the week.
Fatigued
Stubbs understands Kennedy’s point and added: “Sometimes you are beaten before you play because you are tired mentally, you are fatigued because of the expectation around the game and the demand of the fans - of how important it is, and the pressure.”
With that in mind, he knows McGregor is as big a figure as CarterVickers when it comes to leadership.
The captain has missed the last four matches through injury, but is looking to return at Ibrox and has been over the course before.
McGregor was outstanding in running the game as Celtic won at Ibrox earlier in the campaign thanks to Kyogo Furuhashi’s winner.
Stubbs said: “McGregor will be a factor if he is fit.
“All of his experience will be needed and it’s what he does for the other players that is just as important as what he brings to the team himself.”
On that day last September when McGregor ran the show, Rodgers’ side were able to transform a stadium full of home fans into a stressful environment for the Rangers players.
Stubbs generally believes a big home crowd is a major advantage, but knows it can be a two-sided coin and added: “That is just another aspect of players handling the pressure.
“Sometimes people say they would rather be chasing than be in the lead, whereas other people will say they’d rather be leading.
“I feel that his is a different Rangers. A more physical, stronger Rangers team. “Celtic will have to stand up to the physical challenge. I think Celtic will look to soak up the pressure and deal with it when they have to, but they will try to take the sting out of the occasion by keeping the ball and frustrating the Ibrox crowd.”