Charlie Miller’s record in Old Firm games for Rangers reads: Played 10, lost none.
So the former Rangers midfielder knows how vital it is to come out on top in Glasgow derbies. But the nine-in-a-row hero admits beating their city rivals in their own backyard was even better than a victory in Govan. Miller says Michael Beale’s current crop have to send a message out to Ange Postecoglou’s runaway leaders when they meet on April 8.
He knows how tough that will be but insists an away win next month could keep alive Rangers’ faint hopes in the title hunt. He said: “Going to Celtic Park and winning puts a marker down. But the mentality has to be right. Some of Rangers’ players have it because they’ve done it before. But others haven’t experienced it yet. Winning any Old Firm game was brilliant. At Ibrox you were always expected to beat Celtic.
"But winning at Parkhead was amazing. You took more satisfaction out of beating them on their home ground. Rangers have to believe the title isn’t over yet. But they must win the next two Old Firm games to have a chance. From the outside, of course, it looks like it’s done. Celtic are playing too well right now to lose it. But if Rangers play out of their skin and get six points from the next two derbies, it’s all to play for.”
There will be no away fans at the next two league derbies after the clubs cut their rivals’ allocations. Miller isn’t in favour of it and says it takes something away from the fixture. He said: “Having no away fans there makes it even more difficult to win. I don’t agree with it. Rangers used to give Celtic the full Broomloan Road end, a brilliant stand for away fans, and it gave Celtic players a boost. At Parkhead, Rangers fans were shoved into a corner and were barely visible. That’s not right. I just hope they can find a compromise.”
Miller is coaching kids at his football academy and has now hooked up with BoxWise to deliver a shadow boxing programme to Glasgow schools. He’s determined to improve the health and wellbeing of kids in the city’s most deprived areas. He said: “The Nick Maughan Foundation based in London currently sponsors the Charlie Miller Football Academy and they’ve been trying to bring BoxWise to Glasgow. It’s a brilliant idea and concept. Teaching the kids shadow boxing skills keeps them fit and healthy. We combine it with some football and supply food for the kids as well.”
Scott Lovelook, from BoxWise, is delighted to have Miller on board. He said: “It’s important that we bring BoxWise to Glasgow. A lot of these areas are under-represented by programmes like ours. Kids don’t get the same opportunities so making a positive impact on young people’s lives is vital. That smile from a coach might be the only one a child sees that week. That meal might be the only decent one they’ll get that week. Someone like Charlie is key to BoxWise. He’s grown up in the areas we’ll work in. People in Glasgow respect him and he’s a positive role model for kids."
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