Barry Ferguson has warned Rangers they will need to be at it to secure a second win over Celtic this weekend.
The Ibrox legend was thrilled with the attitude shown by everyone in a blue shirt last weekend as they ran over the top of their rivals for a comfortable and deserved win.
He says it was the perfect derby performance and exactly what you need to win those games, as much as ability is also important.
"Trust me on this one, they’re (Rangers) about to be given a very different test this weekend on the other side of the city and, I’m telling you now, if they don’t match that same mentality and depth of desire to fight for one another then the chances are they’ll end up on the wrong side of a painful result," Ferguson told the Daily Record.
I’m not trying to be a killjoy here. But when I left the stadium last Sunday I was already beginning to focus on the challenge that will be facing these players when they arrive at Celtic Park for the return.
"Because if they think for one second that they can just turn up and do it all over again without putting in the same level of effort they could end up walking into a very nasty surprise.
"So this is not the time for gloating or being fooled into thinking that they’ve cracked the code just because they played this same Celtic side off the park a few days ago.
"This is the time to realise that their opponents will be hurting and that that will make them even more dangerous when they’re in front of their own fans at their own stadium, determined to put things right.
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"This is the lions’ den they are going into and that’s why it’s so important that Rangers understand they are going into a different game in a very different environment."
While urging Rangers to go to Parkhead with the exact same mentality that was on show last weekend, he says they must also show Celtic respect. Just not too much.
He added: "If they don’t show the same mental strength and sheer hunger to win then all the hard work they put in last weekend will quickly count for nothing.
"They have to believe in themselves and they have to believe they are strong enough to withstand whatever comes at them in green and white shirts.
"But they also have respect for the danger that comes with it.
"I always respected Celtic, whether that was as a player against Martin O’Neill’s side back at the turn of the century or whether it was in the dugout against Brendan Rodgers and his side a couple of seasons ago.
"But there’s a massive difference in professionally respecting your rivals and being intimidated by them.
"If anything Rangers have shown Celtic far too much respect over the years. I’ve grown absolutely sick of that having seen it so many times over the years.
"So, yes, respect them and be fully aware of what they can do to you if your head is not in the right place. But go there absolutely determined not to let them punish you. Leave the respect at the side of the pitch or you’ll be in trouble."
