The idea that the winners of today’s Glasgow Derby at Ibrox will take some kind of psychological advantage into next season isn’t something that Ange Postecoglou is concerned about – regardless of who wins today! The Celtic manager understands the significance of the game for both clubs and both sets of supporters but when all the talking is done and dusted and we get round to kicking off the new season all teams will start on zero points.
Yet there is more to it than that. If Michael Beale doesn’t win today the will be five games against Celtic under his leadership with no wins. The next game in the late summer/early autumn will also be played at Ibrox and by that stage it could well be a must win for the current manager of theRangers.
In Glasgow it doesn’t matter how much you can talk, if you are the manager who can’t beat your fierce city rivals then you will simply not survive. theRangers support hasn’t yet turned on Beale but he needs a win badly or that day will not be too far away. Indeed if Celtic pile on the agony today we could be reading Beale Out posts all over social media and on their forums.
“It doesn’t concern me,” Ange Postecogou said at yesterday’s media conference. “If I got wrapped up in that stuff about mental scars I would have packed my bags last year. You take each one on an individual basis and when one is done and dusted, you move along to the next one. You can’t rest on your laurels in this kind of game and think one side is in the ascendancy.
“For us it’s about playing well in this one. We want to continue our form, finish strongly and prepare for the Cup Final. Next season we all start at zero. You don’t take any points with you for what you’ve done this year.”
Valid points from the manager who is never going to be dragged into that kind of speculation but the rules of the game in Glasgow at Celtic Park and Ibrox are well known by everyone in the city regardless of which team they support.
Another thing that doesn’t concern the Celtic manager is the Guard of Honour controversy, which isn’t really that at all. Celtic fans have just been reminding James Tavernier about his previous comments on the matter to point out the hypocrisy. It’s no more than a noise up.
“It’s a trivial matter,” Ange said. “Those things are not important to me. (the)Rangers can handle it in their own way. I tend to think these things are more symbolic gestures anyway. If you scratch any at the surface, I think you will find respect from both sets of players.
“Both clubs know what it takes to be successful. There’s always respect down the line. We don’t need guards of honour and I wouldn’t criticise (the)Rangers for giving one or not. It’s down to the individual’s decision. It’s not important to me.
“It’s not something I can remember coming across too much over the years. There’s nothing wrong with it, if that’s the tradition in the context of the sport. But I don’t like it when people put these things up as some kind of sign of standards of a football club.
“It’s just symbolic. Real respect comes from different ways. I’ve had text messages from just about every Premiership manager congratulating us on our season and we are fierce competitors every week. That’s how you show respect. You know it’s there and you don’t need any grand gestures,” the Celtic manager revealed.
All that aside today is another opportunity for this Celtic side to play their football, get better and for the players to stake their claims for a starting slot in the Scottish Cup final on 3rd June.
“We’ve still got something to play for in the next four games and we need to make sure we are ready for the Cup Final, because that is massive for us. I’m sure the lads would be focused irrespective of who we are facing. They want to keep going and make sure they are part of the Final,” Ange said.
The Celtic manager is clearly a fan of these fixtures, where his record is getting better and better all the time these day. Long may it continue. “The derbies are cracking games. We are away from home with no supporters there. It’s going to be a huge challenge and we’ll need to play well if we want to get a result.”
On his thoughts about the team he will put out today there’s likely to be a few changes judging by the Celtic manager’s rather interesting comments yesterday afternoon on this subject.
“It’s a combination of things. It’s about preparing a team for the Final so a few of the boys will need game time in case there are injuries leading up to Hampden. We can’t have someone who hasn’t played for four of five weeks.
“It’s an opportunity to put in some guys and allow them to experience the pretty unique atmosphere of Ibrox in front of no away fans and against a good opponent. The backdrop will be we want to win the game and we’ll send out a team to do so.”
