‘I am never happier than when the outside world has us beaten before a ball is kicked - for then I know the true greatness of our club will be revealed.’
The words that Philippe Clement chooses before facing Celtic on Sunday are unlikely to resonate as much or for as long as those of Bill Struth. The message from the Belgian could have a similar theme, however, as Rangers look to win a derby that few would back them to emerge with anything from at Parkhead.
The first Old Firm fixture of a campaign can crystallise opinions and shape narratives. It will go some way to determining what Rangers can hope to achieve this season but will not be defining either way. The old cliché about it only being another three points carries a matter of fact truth but overlooks the significance of what this 90 minutes means on both sides of the city, in both a sporting sense and a societal one.
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Clement heads into the match without a win over Celtic to his credit. Many of his players will be attempting to beat them for the first time, while others carry varying degrees of scar tissue from recent seasons. With every seat in the stadium set to be taken by a fan of a green and white persuasion, the odds quickly begin to stack up against Rangers.
That will not daunt those within the away dressing room, however. The adversity brings its own opportunity for a side that are fully cognisant of the ramifications of a defeat but know what difference a win would make. For Tom Lawrence, the words within the camp are more important than whatever is said and written outside of it in the coming days.
“It's obviously a massive game for the club," Lawrence said. "For us to play the way that we know we can do. That's what we try to do every game. We know it's a big game and we look forward to them.
“I don't know [if we will look at the games against them last season]. That's up to the gaffer. This week it'll be a good week's training, full week into it and then we look forward to it.
“I think everyone wrote us off before we kicked a ball, didn't they? So we're used to that and we look forward to it next week.
“I think it brings the best out of you at the end of the day. You take it with a pinch of salt and that's the main thing. You look to perform every time you get on the pitch and that's the main thing.
“There's nothing discussed about any social media comments or newspaper comments in the changing room. We've got a good group in there and we stick together through bad times and good times.”
Saturday afternoon was one of those good times. Indeed, it was the best of the season so far. Lawrence was on the scoresheet alongside Danilo as Cyriel Dessers and Rabbi Matondo both scored twice in a comprehensive win over Ross County.
It was a result and a performance that raised the spirits heading into the derby, even though the level of opposition must be taken into account. Celtic will pose a very different challenge for Clement’s side and it will be that fixture that is more indicative of where Rangers are and where they are heading under the Belgian this season.
The decision over whether to start Lawrence on Sunday will be one of the key calls for Clement. The 30-year-old has been one of the main figures so far this term and is ready to go for the biggest match of the campaign to date.
“Yeah, good day all around I'd say,” Lawrence said of the 6-0 victory at Hampden. “Good performance and to score six goals in a game is always a bonus.
“Yeah, look, each game, that's what we want to do. We want to put a performance on, especially at home for our fans. Look, a clean sheet and six goals, it's always nice.
“I think [that had been coming], yeah. I think we deserved that. Probably a couple of weeks too late but we take that on a positive now. Got a clean sheet, six goals and we look forward to it.
“I think we've been unlucky. Just not quite gelled like you said but I think today everything gelled. We were fluid from the back to front and we made it count in front of goal.
“I'm good. Obviously I missed last week, I had an illness so it's good to get back on the pitch and to perform like that with a team is brilliant.”
If Lawrence can perform for his club, he may get a chance to perform for his country once again. Lawrence has not represented Wales since a friendly win over Mexico more than three years ago and was out of the picture under former boss Robert Page.
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The appointment of Craig Bellamy has changed the circumstances and could change his fortunes. His focus for now is on domestic matters but the playmaker believes an international recall could be on the cards in the coming weeks.
“I spoke with the manager and I think we both agreed to leave this squad,” Lawrence said. “Due to the place I'm in now, fitness-wise, I want to carry that on and then we'll have a discussion before the October camp and see where we go from there.
“It's good that I can have that relationship with the manager. That’s the main thing. I've never met him before so it was refreshing to have a conversation with him and we'll see what the future brings.
“I don't think [the Old Firm game] matters for this camp. We agreed that it's best for me to stay here and train and then when October comes we'll have a discussion and see what's the what then.”
