Celtic welcome city rivals Rangers to Parkhead on Saturday as Ange Postecoglou and his players will be aiming to move 12 clear and practically wrap up the Scottish Premiership title.
A Celtic victory would be a knockout blow to Rangers boss Michael Beale although former Celtic defender Jackie McNamara believes derbies nowadays have gone too soft (Daily Record):
“I think it’s different these days, to be honest. I’ve seen games now when players are down and rivals are helping them up!
“It’s a bit nicer these days and maybe a bit friendlier. It might be the fact there’s more players from outside but it’s not quite the same.”
From when McNamara played, things on the park may have toned down a bit however that is the same across the world of football. Off the pitch, the rivalry between the fans and club alike remains as bitter as ever.
In terms of things somewhat tempered on the pitch, McNamara thinks this can be put down to the presence of VAR:
“Players know if there’s anything at all it will get noticed. I’m sure I would’ve had a few more red cards than I did if we had VAR back then. There are still some good tackles but there’s no left hooks any more!”
Jackie famously stuck one on Mark Hately during a derby stramash that when unnoticed until the pictures came out the next day.
Granted, throwing punches might be a tad extreme. However it is fair to say VAR has likely reduced certain players’ willingness to carry out acts that may have previously gone unnoticed.
Nevertheless in spite of McNamara’s theory, the Glasgow derby remains one of the fiercest rivalries in the world. Whilst it may not be as extreme on the pitch, there is still an under-lying sense of distaste towards each set of players from the other.
Regarding the Celtic camp, they will be aspiring to utilise this as a positive when the sides lock horns this weekend.
