Bank Of Scotland SPL
Sunday 20th February 2005
Celtic Park
Kick Off 12.30, Live On Setanta SPL
I have plenty of friends who are Rangers fans. In fact, my Rangers supporting pals probably outnumber my Celtic mates. One thing that has surprised me in the last few days is their strange, new found sense of confidence, going into an Old Firm game.
Now I don't watch Rangers often but from what I hear recently, they beat Dundee United 7-1 in one of the worst defensive displays ever, and beat a poor Hibs side by a few goals last weekend.
Celtic, on the other hand, didn't play last week. Our last game was a turning over of Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup, as last week's gmae at Inverness was called off. Dunfermline were garbage, but we won comfortably.
You can't predict an Old Firm game, it is whoever is up for the game most who will win it. Rangers fans' confidence, bordering on arrogance, will backfire. There is such a thing as being too confident, and it appears Rangers supporters are suffering from this.
As usual, the game has been built up to be a big one, we all know it is. Rangers currently sit top of the table on goal difference, but we have a game in hand. A defeat for either side certainly doesn't rule them out of the title race as we are only in February. But psychologically, tomorrow's match could have a big effect on the SPL Championship.
Craig Bellamy will make his debut, and I hope he starts the game. Chris Sutton will be dropped into midfield, which will mean that someone will have to miss out. The likely candidate is Aiden McGeady, who needs a rest. His time will come, and it won't do him any harm at all to sit out tomorrow.
Didier Agathe will be a big loss but Stan Petrov will cope alright on the right hand side. Bobo Balde is fit despite concerns yesterday. I would prefer to play Ulrik Laursen in front of Stefan Henchoz but we'll leave that one up to Mr O'Neill.
I am looking forward to the game. I am looking forward to putting Rangers in their place. They have not won at Celtic Park in five years so what makes people think they will win tomorrow?
Celtic are a much stronger side. We have better players and we are a better team. There is no reason at all why we shouldn't go out to win the game tomorrow, but a draw would suit Rangers. As I have said before, it's about time we put the foot down and started stepping things up a bit, and going for this title.
Enjoy the game, here's to a Hoops victory.
Come On The Hoops!
Prediction: Celtic 2-0 Rangers