Rangers coach Neil Banfield insists he's motivated to see off Celtic and revealed a comment from Ange Postecoglou following the Viaplay Cup Final left a "little taste in the mouth".
Experienced coach Banfield was brought to the club alongside Michael Beale in the summer and has played his part in getting things back on track after the Gio van Bronckhorst era came to a whimpering end. But despite the new coaching team's impact, they have failed to make any dent into Celtic's dominance and know the Scottish Cup is their only realistic chance of silverware this term.
To do that they will first need to beat Celtic at Hampden on April 30 before facing off with either Falkirk or Inverness in the final. And while they are yet to beat the Hoops since Beale, Banfield and Co took over, the former Arsenal coach is determined to make this one count. Because he admits something Postecoglou voiced after their last Hampden meeting, where Celtic lifted the League Cup, still rankles with him.
He told the Mail on Sunday: "I have got to say he has been first-class. But he said one or two things that I have remembered and I will remember. For what he has achieved at Celtic, we say well done. The use of the market has been excellent and I like the way they play. But he said one or two things that make you want to say, 'Okay, right, we're coming'.
"And that's okay, that is what it's all about. They'll want to come at us. That's what top-level managers are all about. That's the world we live in.
"There's respect there, no doubt. He is a good football guy and he works for Celtic but he has said things that leave a little taste in the mouth. I'll keep that to myself but he made a quote after the final and it landed on me. And you think, 'Yeah, okay I'll take that.' Next time we'll turn that round."
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