The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Gers boss’s sympathy for under-fire Deila
OLD FIRM: Warburton feels the critcism of his Celtic counterpart is ill-merited
Rangers manager Mark Warburton admits he has sympathy for under-fire Celtic boss Ronny Deila.
Deila is under pressure following disappointing European and League Cup campaigns, while Aberdeen are chasing Celtic hard at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership.
Warburton and his team could put more pressure on the Norwegian in the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals, but the Gers boss feels his counterpart is on the end of some ill-merited criticism.
Warburton told talkSport: “I referred to the goldfish bowl and it is a really passionate football city. I thought London was a football city and then you come to Glasgow and really they live and die for their football.
“There’s 14-15 pages every day in the papers, there are radio shows every evening, and it’s scrutiny beyond belief. The fans phone in and it fuels the fire.
“So, he’s top of the league. They had a difficult European campaign, OK, but what more can he do?
“I do feel some sympathy for him but I think you know when you join a club like Celtic or Rangers, you know what you are putting yourself up for.”
Warburton, whose Championship leaders face Celtic in mid-April, added: “We took 9,000 officially to Kilmarnock on a Tuesday night, pouring with rain, on a Champions League night, but there were nearer 11,000 unofficially. It’s an unbelievable support.
“This is the size of the club and we have got to enjoy it. The players have a responsibility, we have a responsibility and if we can get the environment right where they enjoy the responsibility, we will be in a good place. You have to thrive on it.”
Warburton attempted to focus his players on their league game against Morton on Friday night immediately after Sunday’s draw, but he is well aware of the importance of the derby.
“I was at Belfast Airport, I had been to see a player,” the former Brentford boss said. “I heard the draw and turned my phone off to get on a30-minute flight and I had 27 missed calls by the time I landed. That gives you a clue as to what it is.
“It’s a fantastic draw and it is a challenge to test ourselves.
“There is no doubt we will go into the game well-prepared and ready for the challenge but between now and then we have some very important league games and the week before we have the Petrofac Cup final.”
Celtic, meanwhile, have been handed a double fitness boost in midfield.
Stefan Johansen’s ankle knock is not as bad as first feared while Nir Bitton has returned to training after missing three matches through injury.
Johansen was helped off at half-time in Celtic’s 3-0 quarter-final victory over Morton following a strong challenge from Michael Miller, but tests have returned good news for the Norwegian.
A club statement read: “There was concern at the extent of the midfielder’s injury but the club’s medical team have subsequently ascertained that, while he will miss Saturday’s Glasgow derby away to Partick Thistle, he will hopefully be available for selection the following weekend.”
I do feel some sympathy for him but I think you know when you join a club like Celtic or Rangers, you know what you are putting yourself up for. MARK WARBURTON