Giovanni van Bronckhorst swiped back at calls to postpone next month’s Old Firm clash as he insisted both clubs should get on with it like Covid-hit Rangers did in August.
Both the champions and Celtic could be missing key men for the February 2 Parkhead showdown due to a fixture clash with vital international clashes around the globe.
Rangers are sweating on Nigeria playmaker Joe Aribo making a run to the latter stages of the African Cup of Nations, while Jamican ace Kemar Roofe and Colombian ace Alfredo Morelos are also in the running for World Cup qualifying action with their countries.
Meanwhile, the Hoops’ four Japanese recruits Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen maeda, Yosuke Ideguchi and Reo Hatate are also vying for a call-up, as are Aussie ace Tom Rogic and United States stopper Cameron Carter-Vickers.
SPFL rules allow any club missing three players due to international duty to request a postponement.
But while Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou insists he will only consider asking Hampden chiefs to postpone the second derby battle of the season once he learns how many of his top stars will be missing, van Bronckhorst reckons the clubs should just get on with it and play like Gers did back in August as they overcame a Covid outbreak to draw derby first blood.
“It’s still a long way to go to the Old Firm,” insisted the Dutchman ahead of Tuesday's Pittodrie trip. “We’re preparing for Aberdeen and the (Celtic) game, it’s in two weeks. A lot can happen in that period. As far as I’m concerned, we’re not thinking about postponing the fixture.
“We know the international calendar is coming up, we might lose some players as well. But that’s the way it is - we have to take it as it comes.
“In the window, it’s not just one game, there are three games that have to be played in the window. That’s, I think, impossible because of course with bringing the break forward.
“The association also said it was difficult and that there was no space for postponing games so that will make it difficult as well. You never know how you have to prepare for games.
“Rangers had the first Old Firm, they missed their first and second goalie, they missed their coach, some other key players. You never know what the situation will be. As a coach, you have to handle every situation and that’s what I’m doing to do when the game comes.”
Van Bronckhorst spent his time productively during the winter break, arranging a loan deal for former New York City utility man James Sands and securing Hearts defender John Souttar on a pre-contract for next season.
The Jambos want £500,000 to release the Scotland stopper immediately but van Bronckhorst is in no rush to spend his portion of the £12million fee Gers banked for selling Nathan Patterson to Everton.
He said: “First I’m happy that John is joining us. He’s a good defender, a Scottish international player.
“It’s also very important that we keep our Scottish identity. He fits perfectly in that role.
“We will have to wait and see what will happen in this window. But as far as I know we welcome John in the summer.
“We are of course happy with the move Nathan had. It’s a very good move for him, because he joins a very strong league at a young age. So I’m really happy for Nathan.
“Of course it was always good for the club because of the financial package we received.
“I think there’s still a transfer budget we have for this window.
“We are looking and might add a player to the squad for the balance.
“If it’s going to happen, I don’t know. We just have to wait and see how that develops in the coming weeks.”
