A meaningless Old Firm game? That simply doesn’t exist.
If it does, I never experienced one – and I played in a few on both sides of the divide. So don’t tell me that Saturday’s game at Celtic Park doesn’t have too much riding on it. I’ve played in them when they’ve effectively been title deciders. But I’ve also been involved when a league has already been won before kick-off. And I’m telling you, the edge to it was exactly the same.
Trust me, you NEED to win that game irrespective of the circumstances. Listen, we know the league is all but done and Celtic will be champions. But from Rangers’ point of view? There’s plenty on the line. For a start, my first question to Michael Beale would be: ‘In your time as manager this season, can you finish with more points than Celtic?’
That should be his mentality going into it. After getting a draw at Ibrox and winning every other league game since he walked into the building – he’s level with them. I know it’s not all about the manager. And I’m pretty sure that even going undefeated against Celtic in the next two games won’t get the title back.
But can he put a team together to compete with Celtic NEXT season? At the moment you have to say he can. The current league form tells you that. But there are two Old Firms to go in the Premiership. By the end of the campaign will he be able to say, after 23 games as Rangers gaffer, that he has amassed more points than Celtic? Because that’s a proper barometer, by the way.
It’s a big sample size, not just a few games at the end of a season. It is two thirds of a league campaign. Whatever happened before Michael returned to Ibrox is gone. It has cost Rangers the title. But he couldn’t control that. What he can take charge of is winning a Scottish Cup – and picking up more points than Celtic. That would be important for him.
And it’s how every single person in the Rangers camp should be approaching this game next weekend. Remember, he can also pick up his first Old Firm win as a boss on Saturday. Believe me, you don’t want to be going four, five, six games without one. That builds pressure quickly. So it’s far from meaningless. It’s a huge opportunity for these players.
Who knows what might happen if you win? When teams get a wee shock, they can wobble. All of a sudden it might be six points instead of nine at the top, with Celtic still to come to Ibrox. Things can change quickly. But Rangers have to take care of business, as they have been doing in the league since Michael came in.
Celtic are the next game. That has to be the message. Rangers will walk into a very hostile atmosphere at Celtic Park with no away fans in the ground. And I’ve always said that to be a Rangers player it actually isn’t enough for you just to be able to handle that.
You need to THRIVE on it. You need to look forward to it. It has to energise you, bring the best out in you. Allan McGregor is the prime example of that.
He loves going there and winning. He keeps his best performances for Celtic. He has done it for so many years now. Think of the big saves, the penalty stops, he has made at Parkhead.
He has been there, done it – and loves it. It might not look like it because he’s a grumpy f***** at times. But, trust me, he relishes going there. And that’s exactly what you need as a Rangers player.
With no fans, in that type of environment, you have to stand up and be counted. That’s something the Rangers players didn’t do, of course, last time out against Celtic in the League Cup Final defeat at Hampden.
And next Saturday, there has to be a response from them. Michael will be judged on the next three games against Celtic, when he can retain the Scottish Cup and close the gap in the table.
It might not mean anything to people on the outside.
But it can send out a message to Celtic that says: ‘Congrats this year. But you know what? Next season, we’re coming back for the title’.
If, over that period of 23 games, Michael has matched or bettered Celtic’s points return? It means there are no excuses for him or his players come August. How he actually gets the better of Ange Postecoglou in his own back yard? That’s why Michael gets paid the big bucks.
In terms of his team, for me, eight players pick themselves. McGregor, James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Ben Davies, Borna Barisic, Ryan Kent, Fashion Sakala and Antonio Colak all play.
As ever with this Rangers side, midfield is where all the big dilemmas are. If fit, I reckon Nico Raskin and Todd Cantwell definitely play after being left out of the starting XI at Hampden. Alongside them, it’s one from Ryan Jack or John Lundstram.
Glen Kamara has dropped down the pecking order while Malik Tillman probably won’t play if Cantwell gets the nod. Trying to find the right blend and combination to beat Celtic? My mind is boggling at the thought of it. But all I’d say is this. Rangers cannot allow Celtic to have control in the game.
Ange’s players can’t be allowed to get it all their own way, with no pressure. They can’t stroll into a two-goal lead like they did in the cup final. They were comfortable for an hour.
So how do Rangers make it uncomfortable for them at Parkhead? That’s what Michael has to figure out. Winning the midfield battle gets you control of the game. Will it decide the outcome? No but it can shape the 90 minutes.
It’s so important that Rangers don’t allow Celtic to flow. Because when they flow, we’ve seen what can happen in these games, especially at Celtic Park. Callum McGregor is the conductor of the orchestra. He controls everything. He organises and pulls the strings.
Do Rangers have someone like that? I think Raskin might be that guy. He plays in a similar way to McGregor, at a certain tempo.
On Saturday, Rangers need to take that control away from Celtic. They need to eliminate it. And then impose their own game. That’s why I expect Raskin to play. So far, he has made things look easy in a Rangers shirt.
In a frantic game at Easter Road recently, he bossed it. His positioning behind the ball was excellent. I’ve been really impressed with him so far.
He could be the guy to do that job for Rangers, the way McGregor does for Celtic. He can take the sting out of the game and gain control.
Will that get his manager and supporters three points? Maybe not. But it sure as hell gives you a better chance.
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