It’s the morning of the big Glasgow Derby, with Rangers now set to visit Celtic Park for the second time this season.
The hype surrounding the 12:30 pm kick-off has been building all week as Brendan Rodgers looks to avenge the result the last time Celtic faced Rangers.
The Bhoys failed to turn up at Ibrox in December as Rangers beat Celtic 3-0 in a game where not one of Rodgers’ players got pass marks.
With a 16-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, Celtic will be looking for a comprehensive win so that they can put the title-winning champagne on ice for the visit to St Johnstone in April.
So will the big Glasgow Derby have the potential to become a powderkeg clash like the Scottish media tend to make it out to be? Not according to Celtic legend, Johan Mjallby.
Johan Mjallby’s verdict on Celtic vs Rangers ‘mayhem’
Historically, the atmospheres at Celtic vs Rangers games has been diluted with the lack of away fans at both stadiums.
However, with the return of around 2400 Rangers supporters, there will be an added spice to the game, But will it be ‘mayhem’ as it’s often portrayed? Not in Mjallby’s mind, it won’t.
Mjallby told The Celtic Way, “Whenever these games roll around, I get sad because I will never pull that green-and-white jersey over my head and play for Celtic against Rangers ever again. It is such a special game to experience, and it is hard to contextualise.
“You know it is a massive game and usually it is important in terms of the title race. I know it has not been the case this season but going back to the days when I played it was always drummed into the Celtic players just how important it was to win the matches against Rangers.
“People say that Celtic v Rangers matches are pure mayhem but that is probably too strong a word to describe it although the atmosphere is something that if you haven’t experienced before is just incredible.”
Why Johan Mjallby will ‘always be sad’ about Celtic vs Rangers fixtures
Mjallby faced Rangers 20 times in his Celtic career winning eight, drawing 4 and losing eight. Despite the level-pegging win ratio, the former Hoops hero shares why he will ‘always be sad’ now watching the dery games.
Mjallby continued, “The history and rivalry between the two clubs mark these occasions in Scottish football as special.
“So, yes it’s true, I will always be sad that I can’t pull on the Celtic shirt and play in one more derby against Rangers.
“The build-up to the game all week is extraordinary. It’s magical, actually, and there is not a feeling like standing in that tunnel as a Celtic player going out to face Rangers.
“In that instant, you do get to realise how important and special this fixture is for the Celtic supporters, and everybody connected with the club.”
Celtic have the potential of increasing the gap at the top of the league to 19 points to Rangers by the full-time whistle blows this afternoon.
If Rodgers can manage to do that and with a few goals to spare, the upcoming international break will be a happy one for the thousands of Celtic supporters in the stands and watching at home.
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