VIGNAL RECKONS TIME IS RIGHT FOR RANGERS TO RECORD VITAL VICTORY
GREGORY VIGNAL knows a thing or two about ending unwanted sequences in Old Firm matches. His fascination now is how Celtic might react to the pressure if Rangers could repeat his old trick tomorrow afternoon.
The Frenchman scored the opener in a 2-0 win at Parkhead back in 2005, the first time in 12 matches that Rangers had won at the home of their rivals.
It was also a staging post towards Alex McLeish’s side claiming the title in hugely dramatic fashion on Helicopter Sunday.
Vignal, now back at Ibrox as a youth coach, is not making any bold predictions about the class of 2018 becoming champions.
But, having enjoyed so much supremacy under Brendan Rodgers, he believes Celtic would face a different psychological test over the run-in if Rangers could record a first Old Firm league win since 2012.
That outcome would move Graeme Murty’s men to within three points of the top, albeit with the Parkhead outfit still holding a game in hand.
‘The Old Firm game is a massive game,’ said Vignal. ‘I think this is the right time for us to win.
‘It is very important to close the gap. If we win on Sunday, we will be close to Celtic.
‘We are not under pressure, Celtic are under pressure. They know if they lose against us on Sunday the gap will be small.
‘We have to play the game and be focused and try to win.’
Asked if a Rangers victory could put doubt into Celtic, Vignal added: ‘I think so. But we have to win first.
‘I would like to see a win at Ibrox, I think the fans have been waiting for that.
‘It would be good for the club and good for Graeme as well. He has been here for a few months and it would be good for him to get a win against Celtic.
‘We are at home, there will be a full house and we have won the last six games and scored a lot of goals. I think the confidence is high for us.
‘You can speak all day long about the Old Firm because there are so many things to say but I think now is maybe the right time, a good time, to get a win.’
Nowadays, the on-field Gallic influence in Glasgow lies across the city.
Moussa Dembele, Olivier Ntcham and Odsonne Edouard are all hoping to be involved for Celtic this weekend.
Dembele has not scored in his last four appearances against Rangers, but Vignal is in no doubt about the France Under-21 striker’s capabilities.
‘I think Dembele can be the danger,’ he said. ‘If he is ready in his mind, he is a very good player.
‘He is strong, powerful, he can score goals. I don’t want to see him on the pitch, I would prefer to see him in front of the TV!
‘Of course, he is a good player and he will be here to score goals for sure.’
Vignal still qualifies as one of the less likely derby goal heroes.
On February 20, 2005, Celtic goalkeeper Rab Douglas let his long-range strike slip into the net before Nacho Novo sealed victory late on. That away day was an undisputed highlight of Vignal’s year on loan at Rangers from Liverpool — although it was not without pain.
‘I was just so happy because I knew the manager wanted the win,’ recalled Vignal.
‘I was close to Alex McLeish and also played with a broken arm.
‘People told me not to play the game because my arm was broken but I said to the boss: “I have to play, we have to win”.
‘It was such an emotional day for us.
‘Playing for a big club brings a big pressure — the people are always expecting a lot.
‘But the situation now is not the same.
‘The club has come back after five years (out of the top division).
‘We have to close the gap. It is a new project.
‘That is why (director of football) Mark Allen is here and the club is working hard to get back to a high level.’
Gregory Vignal was speaking as he promoted the Rangers Youth Development Company and their £8k in 2018 Lotto campaign. £10million in prizes has already been won in recent years and it costs just £1 to play. Full details on RYDC and their portfolio of products can be found at www. rydc.co.uk[http://www.rydc.co.uk/]