Three days until the lid comes off the Premiership pressure cooker at Ibrox in the first of three Old Firm derbies that will define the season.
Funnily enough the old ‘pressure’ mind games were in full flow on the Hotline too as fans from both sides of the Glasgow divide passed the burdon back and forth.
Rangers facing a must-win? Celtic unable to handle the tension at Ibrox?
Earlier in the week Hotline regular Gordon Ashley claimed all the strain was on Rangers ahead of Sunday.
But Jim Williams, Dunfermline, said: “I'm glad the pressure is on Rangers as in Europe we've overcome any pressure beating a lot of good teams. Celtic have bottled most their big games in numerous competitions in Europe. Rangers will be ready.”
Joe Graham, Garrowhill , said: “Glasgow Rangers are always under pressure and have been since 1872 . They always prevail and that is why they are still the most successful football club in the world. Regarding his most recent comments, I would like to remind Gordon that a win against his beloved Celtic on Sunday at Ibrox and again at Celtic Park would swing the three point cushion in Rangers favour. Who’s under pressure now Gordon?”
Joe Smith, Coleraine, said: “I'm confident of Rangers wins in the remaining fixtures versus Celtic. I’m certain Giovanni van Bronckhorst will not be caught out by the one trick ponies again. They have won once in two years against us and have got a wee bit carried away since, whilst beating no-one of note and getting dumped out of the Eurovision by unknowns from the Arctic Circle.”
John Bruce emailed: “Although the current narrative is that Celtic are world-beaters under their new manager and only have to turn up to the Old Firm game on Sunday to win, certain factors should be taken in to account. Firstly, they have only beaten Rangers once in nearly three years. Secondly, from the last Old Firm game, Rangers will have five or six different first-team players in the starting 11 who won't sit off them again.
"And, finally, Celtic don't handle pressure well, as their plummet through three European competitions in one season will testify to. Or was that because they were refereed to the same standard as every other team?”
However Kenny Wilson, Moffat, hit back: “It’s a total freebie for Celtic on Sunday knowing if they lose the league will still be in our hands. Rangers will struggle with our wide men and if we defend well we will win. Also we know Rangers can’t handle the pressure when it comes to crunch games only winning the league last year cause we were dire.”
On other matters relating to the derby and Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: “Now we know why Aaron Ramsay has left Juventus for Rangers - his only target is to get Wales to the World Cup. He has used Rangers and should not be given game time as he is so far off the pace it's unbelievable. Scott Arfield is a better option as he puts everything into his performances this season.”
They say pressure makes people do strange things. So over to the aforementioned Gordon Ashley, Ayr, to finish. Gordon said: “Celtic fans couldn’t care less if Alfredo Morelos is injured. The Glasgow derby is all about handling the unique atmosphere, with no fans it’s not a real derby, and Morelos has never scored in that atmosphere so has never scored in a full Glasgow derby. If he ever does I will eat an entire Daily Record.”
Eat your own words literally Gordon? I can hear the clatter of screenshots already.
