Celtic fans need today’s Glasgow derby more than ever. There is nothing like a game of football to get your mind of a months worth of transfer nonsense. Add in the extra cyber hype that has been getting stirred up since the appointment of Steven Gerrard has left Celtic fans praying for another super Sunday.

In fairness to Gerrard, he has managed to get through 12 games unbeaten and also managed to secure European football. He has recruited heavily and without a doubt improved things in Govan. That being said, the opposition in the Rangers opening games have been weak. The only real test the Rangers have faced is against one of the teams that finished above them for the last two seasons – Aberdeen, and they only managed a draw.

How many Rangers players will experience Celtic Park today for the first time? Add to that the reduction of away tickets and the word “hostile” doesn’t even begin to explain what some of these noobs are walking out into, including Gerrard.

In a month of transfer hell, it’s easy to lose sight of facts. The fact is Celtic have lost two first-team players in the transfer window. The still have a squad of Invincible Double Treble winners. They still have one of the shrewdest football brains to stand in the Celtic Park dugout. They have match winners all over the park and a solid Celtic bench full of players that can influence a result.

Brendan Rodgers has never lost any of his previous nine derby encounters. We beat them at Ibrox with just ten men. Everything is in Celtic’s favour today. It’s about the players going out and recognising that man for man they are better than their opposite number.