CELTIC fans will be looking for their team to continue their dominance over their Glasgow rivals when the two sides lock horns in tomorrow‘s Scottish Cup semi–final showdown at Hampden.
Cris Sutton has warned that The Rangers are too busy looking over the fence at Celtic and must stop playing to the gallery if they are to have any hope of getting one over on Ange Postecoglou.
The Rangers have failed to beat the Hoops since last season‘s Scottish Cup final, and they needed extra time to do this.
Michael Beale and his staff have been outspoken about Postecoglou and Neil Banfield recently warned Celts that Rangers are “coming“ for them. However, Sutton believes this won‘t wash with Rangers fans, who are craving success and are wanting to see the talk on the pitch, rather than in the media.
The Hoops idol has urged Beale to take full responsibility and focus on his own team if they are to have a proper go at Celtic. He has warned that if the Gers fail to defeat Celtic in four attempts, questions will be asked and the pressure will start to mount on Beale.
He wrote in the Daily Record:
“Every time Rangers lose an Old Firm game we’re told we’ll see the real Rangers the next time. And while Ange Postecoglou appears to have a laser vision when it comes to Celtic, there is too much looking over the fence from those at Ibrox. Talk of closing gaps and getting closer to their rivals is all you seem to hear these days from Ibrox.
“I’m pretty sure the Rangers fans aren’t interested in closing gaps. This is Glasgow we’re talking about. The gap could be one point or 100 points. If you’re second, you’re second. I’d imagine the Ibrox supporters aren’t interested in anything other than being first and Rangers have to think about Rangers alone if they are going to overcome Postecoglou.
“I’m not going down the lucky quip road again from Michael Beale. It’s old news now. But my only reason for bringing it up is to point out that in saying it the new manager was hardly in the door and he was talking about Celtic’s spending. What for? When Postecoglou was facing a 25-point deficit to Steven Gerrard’s team upon taking charge, my recollection is he basically kept his sole focus on his club, his team, his work – not on what anyone else had in their kitty.
“He didn’t talk about needing time. It needed to be done right there and then. He didn’t ask for transfer windows to turn the tide. He just set about doing it and did so successfully. Neil Banfield, one of Beale’s staff, comes out last weekend and states that his club are coming for Celtic. It’s playing to the gallery, but the gallery isn’t fooled. The Rangers fans want results on the park.
“Banners this season about lack of trophies and upholding standards tell you that. Rangers need to have a close look inside their own camp and figure out how they are going to get past Celtic because it’s a big job. Taking full responsibility is the first place to start. It doesn’t matter what anyone else is spending, it’s about Rangers spending well and selling at the right times to get themselves into position to have a serious go at Celtic.
“It’s the same on the pitch. I’ll give you an example. Seven days ago, Celtic didn’t show themselves against a well-drilled and solid Motherwell. Postecoglou came straight out and said his team did not meet their own standards, should have done things better and said they would learn. The following day Rangers lost at Aberdeen because having failed to take their chances before the interval they fell out of the game in the second half and the Dons took advantage.
“Beale was speaking afterwards about how a tug on someone’s jersey in the build-up to Aberdeen’s second goal should have meant a foul. Now I’d also wish to point out that he did also bemoan that his own team were wasteful in front of goal but my point is fans aren’t interested in excuses after losing games they should be winning. They want performances and they want to see their team winning the big games.
“Sunday falls squarely into that category. It’s a huge game and Beale needs to win it. If he doesn’t he’s going to have more of his own supporters doubting him. Forget transfer windows and time. That’s not how Glasgow works. Fail to defeat Celtic in four attempts and questions will be asked.”
It‘s set to be an intriguing battle between the two Glasgow rivals this weekend and Celtic fans will be hoping their team can extend their lead at the top and move closer to a world–record eighth Treble.
