So finally Rangers have decided to join us in a final after securing their place in the Betfred Cup final next month.
Celtic and the Ibrox side will lock horns in a cup final for the first time since the 2011 CIS Cup final. That was one Celtic actually lost in a stinging 2-1 defeat. But, in fairness, the Hoops have won their last six cup finals in domestic competition.
Rangers will arrive at Hampden next month looking to upset the odds and end that run. Will they? It’s doubtful, but it’s also possible. That’s why it’s key that Celtic try and ignore the mind-games heading into the clash.
Make no mistake, they’ll try to rile us up. They always do. They can’t help themselves. It’s a total starvation of success that’s brings them to desperation when it comes to trying to put us off.
After all, just look at what happened in September at Ibrox. Not many believed we were going to turn up at Ibrox and take three points. Just ask Barry Ferguson (Daily Record).
Heading into the game there was an air of confidence about Rangers. Their captain tends to be the worst for it. Before each campaign, he’s usually ranting on about his club’s title-chances. Last season was no different (Daily Record).
And Celtic can turn this into a positive once again. We tend to be quiet when it comes to predicting what we’re going to do. In fairness to the players, we show Rangers respect by not mouthing off at them in the run-up to games.
Ibrox two months ago was a clear example. The Betfred Cup final will be similar. Celtic are the favourites, but we won’t let anyone know about it. Meanwhile, expect Rangers to act as though you shouldn’t see past them.
Celtic are the side who always act with humility in the run-up to these fixtures. With our constant success over Rangers (we’ve won our last three cup matches against them), Celtic deserve credit for how respectful they are in the build-up.
Odsonne Edouard’s celebration at Ibrox when he told them all to “calm down” showed exactly how our players take their big talk. With a pinch of salt. We bottle up our own energy and unleash it on the pitch come kick-off. That’s something Rangers struggle to do when it comes to facing us on the big occasion.
Will the Betfred Cup final run-up be any different? Don’t bank on it, but Celtic just need to go about their business how they always do. If they do that, our quality should see us through. But in the meantime, let them provide us with the ammunition.
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