FEISTY ANFIELD BATTLE
I’VE played in a Battle of Britain tie – and, trust me, the atmosphere is something else.
Liverpool met Celtic back in 1997 and even though I missed the first leg in Glasgow because of injury, I was there and it was truly special.
I remember Steve Mcmanaman scored a proper goal in the last minute after he ran most of the length of the pitch – and I don’t think he’s shut up about it since – and that finally silenced their crowd.
But it took a wonder goal in the dying seconds to do it.
I played in the second leg, but, before anyone who remembers it says it was my fault it was a bit of a rubbish game, I’m not having that!
It was still a hell of an atmosphere and tense, too, because it ended 0-0 and we went through on away goals.
The point is, there is so
much at stake, the Scottishenglish rivalry ramps up everything… and that’s why you can’t write off Rangers at Anfield this week.
Yeah, they’ve been disappointing of late, and yeah, they got thumped by Ajax and Napoli so far in the competition – but this is different, so different.
There’s still a big gulf, but it closes the gap, definitely.
Rangers cannot be more motivated for this game and a result at Anfield can kickstart everything for them.
Liverpool are a team who thrive on momentum, too, and they don’t have that, with their games called off before the international break.
I can still see them winning, but then I can also see myself with egg on my face.
Whatever happens, you know it’ll be a proper contest.
And that’s the mouthwatering thing at this stage of the Champions League.