Brian Laudrup gives "not as solid" rivals' verdict ahead of Celtic clash

By Euan Davidson

August 24, 2021

Former Rangers man Brian Laudrup has aired some concerns about Celtic visiting Ibrox on Sunday.

The Dane, revered south of the Clyde, gave a very honest assessment of how his old club were doing. Meanwhile, he had praise for Bhoys boss Ange Postecoglou, and how quickly his ideas have influenced the players.

Laudrup, who played across the city between 1994 and 1998, wrote in his column for the Daily Mail [print edition 24/08/21 page 77]:

“If you look at it from the outside – not as a fan of either club – you would say Celtic definitely look the more prepared side ahead of Sunday’s first Old Firm game. Not the better side in terms of overall quality, that’s a different issue altogether, but a more settled one in terms of knowing exactly how they want to play and being able to achieve that.

“Postecoglou has implemented his ideas very quickly. Another six goals were scored on Saturday. Yes, it was against a St Mirren team reduced to ten men but it again showed how positive they want to be. I think it must be of some concern at Ibrox.

“This is a different challenge for Rangers as the reigning champions. And one they have to rise to. So far this term, the balance of their team is not quite what it was.

“Collectively, there have been too many silly fouls and mistakes which have made the team not as solid as we saw before.”

Celtic in the ascendency ahead of Rangers meeting, as Brian Laudrup can attest

There’s always nerves and tension ahead of a Glasgow Derby, regardless of form.

I can’t have been the only the one that, even when Rodgers’ Celtic were rampant, still got a feeling in the pit of the stomach ahead of these matches. They’re always, always tense beforehand.

That said, even ex-Rangers players are lining up to say that the Bhoys look the better team just now. While it’s still way too early to make any lasting judgements on this manager, Postecoglou has already done a fantastic job rejuvenating this Celtic team.

Players we wouldn’t have imagined are thriving in the new environment. Meanwhile, a fast-paced, exciting brand of football is yielding emphatic results.

Yes, they won the title last season. Furthermore, they toppled us 3 out of 4 available times in 20-21. So, surely nobody is going overboard yet.

However, a win on Sunday would surely send out a pretty clear message about the determination Celtic have to return to the summit of Scottish football this season.

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