LIONS TAMED

Gerrard expects ‘backlash’ as Kennedy predicts tight derby Dons edge past Livingston

STEVEN GERRARD has warned Celtic to beware a Rangers backlash this afternoon after insisting this is the game his side have been waiting for. The Ibrox boss admits his team have suffered a title hangover and struggled to rediscover their best form since the wild celebrations which followed the capture of the club’s 55th title.

But he believes that could all change as the team prepare to take on Old Firm foes Celtic in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup at Ibrox.

He said: “We obviously had two real difficult ties against Slavia from a European perspective. We picked ourselves up and got a decent result away in an Old Firm, if you like, and then we have backed it up from there with a win in the cup and a strong win against Hibs.

“But you can see, and I have been aware, that there has been a slight drop-off compared to where we were in the title run in.

“But I think we have almost been waiting for a fixture that has got an edge about it and a real importance about it and the preparation has been slightly different this week.

“You can see the focus in the players, see everyone in the zone and really ready to try and put in a top performance at the weekend.”

Meanwhile, Celtic manager Kennedy has seen evidence that his players are on their way back to their best but expects more will be required against their rivals, who have won all 18 domestic games at Ibrox this season.

He said: “I think we’re close performance-wise. We’ve been good, we’ve been much more consistent.

“We’ve dominated games, we’ve had lots of the play, we’ve created a lot of chances, and we’ve not given too much away in our own box and goal.

“There are lots of positives there,

Scottish Cup: Reports and reaction but, again, it’ll be a tough game. It’s a cup match, you can’t make any mistakes, you have to go into the game and hit top form.

“Our recent form is promising for us, it’ll give us confidence off the back of the last game and the little run we’ve had. We’ve been scoring goals and putting in good performances, the players are finding their form as well, so it leads to a very exciting game.

“But we know that going to Ibrox and the magnitude of the game, we have to make sure we are all concentrated and doing our jobs and hopefully we come out with a very good performance and result.”