Brian Laudrup sounds absolutely terrified of a 3rd consecutive derby defeat for Celtic rivals

By David Walton

April 13, 2022

Pro-Rangers pundit Brian Laudrup is in fear of what a third consecutive Glasgow derby defeat would do to Rangers as a whole this weekend.

The Hoops will face off against their rivals this Sunday in the Scottish Cup knowing that all of the momentum is with them. Celtic recorded a 2-1 win at Ibrox less than a fortnight ago whilst they also battered their Glasgow rivals at Celtic Park back in February.

A 3rd consecutive win at Hampden would more or less confirm the balance of power in Glasgow has shifted once again. It may also me the game that ends Rangers’ season depending on how they cope against Braga on Thursday night.

But Laudrup is already speculating just how damaging yet another derby loss will be for Rangers and Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Speaking in his Scottish Daily Mail column [print edition, 13/04, page 78], Laudrup said: “They have to win the Scottish Cup. That’s what Rangers’ season is depending on now. With the players they have at Ibrox, they need to be winning silverware.

“We’re not just talking about a psychological blow if they were beaten again by Ange Postecoglou’s team on Sunday. It would be a major, major setback for the whole club. For a new manager coming in, as van Bronckhorst did in November, 3 successive derby defeats would also be difficult in terms of public opinion. Especially when these are games that effectively take two trophies out of reach.

“I emphasise the case for time and investment where he’s concerned, but Rangers supporters would be worried about where it all was heading.”

What does a win for Celtic on Sunday truly do in the grand scheme?

It’s difficult to put into words just how big a win for Celtic could be on Sunday. Not just because it’s a step closer to a domestic treble and puts us into the Scottish Cup final, but in the bigger picture too.

The sheer thought of Celtic having beaten Rangers at 3 different stadiums within the space of 3 months? That’s yet another thing that would’ve been inconceivable at the start of the season. Celtic weren’t supposed to be as good as that.

It would throw Rangers into sheer turmoil if we won yet again this weekend. The questions over their manager would intensify and many would no doubt turn their back on him and lose faith. It could really put a dent in Rangers’ plans for next season, and that’s also important from a Celtic perspective.

In addition to that, it would give us a real psychological boost heading into the final Glasgow derby of the season at Celtic Park 2 weeks later. The Hoops would know they have the firm beating of their rivals and would be heavy favourites heading into that one.

Ensuring Rangers finish the season trophyless would be the sweetest of sweet ends to a season for the Celtic support, so long as the treble is secured. And who knows what kind of damage this would do to Rangers heading into the summer.

It’s certainly enough to have the likes of Laudrup in fear.

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