Rangers coach Damian Matthew believes a sense of mutual respect has been evident in his first two experiences of taking on Celtic.
Michael Beale's key lieutenant admits the fixture has lived up to the hype and it's his belief there's admiration from both camps in terms of tactics and team selection. Rangers were denied a win in the New Year derby after Kyogo's late leveller and the same man proved Celtic's Viaplay Cup hero at Hampden in February. Speaking to Rangers TV, Matthew said: “The home game we felt was a good game with how we responded. Both teams I felt were quite cagey, even going into the Final, it’s a mutual respect in terms of teams but, ultimately, it’s down towho wants to be best on the day and we look forward to it.”
The former QPR coach is relishing more of the same and is utterly convinced Rangers stars will rise to the challenge of heading east with no supporters and keenly aware a defeat extinguishes their already faint title hopes. And he reckons belief starts long before the Ibrox players step off the bus.
