Old Firm trilogy can be classic if first show is hit
Confession time. This is going to sound like crazy talk – and most folk probably won’t believe it.
But yours truly hasn’t seen the Godfather trilogy. I know, I know, there will be eyebrows raised, tea spat out and disgusted looks all over the land.
I’ve had that response before. I’ve just not got round to it.
I actually had a bash at the first one but didn’t realise that the film lasted more than three hours.
The wedding scene at the start lasted longer than my own wedding – and probably longer than some marriages.
So I gave up the ghost and never completed it.
One day, maybe. But apparently the Godfather is the best ever movie trilogy.
Personally, it will be hard to top the three Mighty Ducks films – but each to their own.
The point is the first one has to be a classic for there even to be a decent trilogy.
If Star Wars bombed there would be no Empire Strikes Back or the one with the wee furry guys. And it could be the same next week. Here we go for the big Old Firm trilogy.
Or at least the latest one.
Celtic face Rangers at Parkhead at the weekend, they clash again at Hampden at the end of the month in the Scottish Cup semis then it’s back to Ibrox after the split.
We’ll get all the usual guff about ticket wars for the league games but it’s what is about to unfold on the pitch that will decide if these clashes will be blockbuster or bum deals.
This opening clash is crucial. And you have to think it’s all on Rangers here.
A Celtic win and the league sequel across the city will end up like those straight-to-video dud flicks in the 1980s and 90s.
Plenty will believe the Scottish Cup is in isolation, and everyone will at least try to sell it that way if the Hoops do come out on top in the east end.
But everyone knows these quick-fire clashes rarely stand alone. Victory in one tends to roll into another – especially if it’s a hefty beating dished out. Celtic fans will already be thinking they can kick off the Ibrox end-of-season party early.
But that’s dangerous thinking. Ross County today could be a proper banana skin but, if they can get through it, the league could be pretty much wrapped up in the coming days.
With a nine-point cushion and a massive goal advantage, Celts could quite easily shut up shop and play for a point.
That’s not going to happen though as Ange Postecoglou doesn’t have that mentmentality in his DNA. He’d privately take a point now – bbut he’ll send hihis men out to bbury Gers in ththe title race and take the momentum to HaHampden.
ThThat might weirdlyweirdl give Rangers more of a chance but Mick Beale can’t use the same game plan he used in the Viaplay Cup Final in February.
He was bold in that encounter but it backfired. The lack of pressure on Callum McGregor meant they posed a threat on the break but never had control of the match.
The Hoops losing Liel Abada and having doubts over Reo Hatate, Aaron Mooy and a few others also opens the door a little.
The picture has changed since the League Cup showdown and this is a much more even contest.
It’s last-chance saloon for Rangers and they need to go full tilt.
Saturday will be a blockbuster and by the end credits we’ll find out we’re going to be tuning in for a classic trilogy – or if we’d be better off finally watching the Godfathers.
t doesn’ Ange s it in hi have shut DNA to up shop