Mark Warburton is relishing Rangers’ status as underdogs for Saturday’s first Old Firm clash of the season against Celtic.
Advertisement
Former Ibrox boss McCoist stated this week that Rangers were quietly building their way to restoring former glories and fans should not expect a title challenge this season.
The Northern Irishman said: “Of course a lot of my adulthood in England I have been coaching and working so never really had the chance to see them but certainly watched them on television when I could”. I think circumstances would indicate I was probably unlucky in the timing of the managerial job, but you can’t have everything.
He does do a lot of talking Joey, but if I can give him any advice I would say, “go and do it on the pitch Joey, don’t do it off the pitch, do it on it”, because he is a good footballer. I said to you when Brendan came in, he is a good organiser and he will absolutely look to organise Celtic and get them playing in a positive manner, and that has proven to be the case.
Rangers too are unbeaten in the league, but draws against Hamilton at home and Kilmarnock mean they trail Celtic by a point at the top having played a game more. I have been involved in a Swansea-Cardiff derby, which was very intense, I have been involved in the Liverpool-Everton derby, which were huge games, Liverpool-Manchester United were big games.
“Once we get the scan through and have a look at it, we need to look at what the risk would be of playing in the game”.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has urged his players to maintain their attacking approach amid the tension of a hugely-anticipated derby against Rangers.
The Scotland worldwide missed the 5-1 World Cup qualifying win over Malta on Sunday but had trained with the Hoops earlier this week.
Left-back Kieran Tierney also dropped out of the national squad but Rodgers said the teenager “will be fine” to play at the weekend. “You hope it’s hard, fair tackles with the two of them enjoying going up against each other”.
“It is the life of the Celtic supporters”.
Advertisement
“Celtic fans will be looking at their team and thinking they are a strong side, quicker, better and they can win the match”. I’m sure the ex-Newcastle, Man City and Marseille man will oblige. “But if for whatever reason he didn’t make it you’ve seen with the squad and what I said at the beginning of the season was that we need to have goals all round the team and that’s how it’s been for us”.
