opinionBarry Ferguson and Celtic mutual loathing finally gives Brendan Rodgers a Rangers equal in one sense only – Hugh Keevins
Shug insists this derby is far from a formality and floats the Rangers idea that the Celtic boss will find offensive
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The true essence of what makes the Old Firm game a separate life form will be released into the atmosphere above Celtic Park this afternoon.
Because, for the first time in 14 years, the managerial match-up of Brendan Rodgers and Barry Ferguson will bring together the positive elements of spontaneous combustion which ignite the fixture.
The Rangers risk Steven Naismith reckons will come into play despite usual Celtic psyche up
The Rangers risk Steven Naismith reckons will come into play despite usual Celtic psyche up
The Rangers fly in the ointment of Celtic procession as English Premier League lieutenant relishing ‘insane’ prospect
The Rangers fly in the ointment of Celtic procession as English Premier League lieutenant relishing ‘insane’ prospect
Barry Ferguson has Rangers ready to rumble and willing to get down and dirty in Celtic Park trenches
Barry Ferguson has Rangers ready to rumble and willing to get down and dirty in Celtic Park trenches
6 VIP pundits deliver Celtic vs Rangers verdict as lack of Premiership title jeopardy makes Hoops hero SAD
6 VIP pundits deliver Celtic vs Rangers verdict as lack of Premiership title jeopardy makes Hoops hero SAD
Rangers icon flies in to publicly back Barry Ferguson as next permanent Ibrox boss
Rangers icon flies in to publicly back Barry Ferguson as next permanent Ibrox boss
Wild Rangers Euro nights left me sleepless and if Celtic catch them napping they’ll wake up to a nightmare – Scott Arfield
Wild Rangers Euro nights left me sleepless and if Celtic catch them napping they’ll wake up to a nightmare – Scott Arfield
Kris Boyd airs Rangers Europa League caution and delivers Celtic Park gut feeling
Kris Boyd airs Rangers Europa League caution and delivers Celtic Park gut feeling
What channel is Celtic vs Rangers? Live stream, TV, ref, VAR and Old Firm team news
What channel is Celtic vs Rangers? Live stream, TV, ref, VAR and Old Firm team news
Brendan Rodgers sees no great Rangers change under Barry Ferguson but Celtic boss reveals what he HAS spotted
Brendan Rodgers sees no great Rangers change under Barry Ferguson but Celtic boss reveals what he HAS spotted
Brendan Rodgers shuts down Rangers excuse avenue as Celtic boss uses Liverpool example to prove ‘it’s all mental’
Brendan Rodgers shuts down Rangers excuse avenue as Celtic boss uses Liverpool example to prove ‘it’s all mental’
Rangers survivor Issame Charai talks ‘shock’ at Clement exit, Barry Ferguson and plan to gun down Celtic
Rangers survivor Issame Charai talks ‘shock’ at Clement exit, Barry Ferguson and plan to gun down Celtic
Rangers takeover king gets close-up look at Barry Ferguson and witnesses wounds begin to heal – Keith Jackson
Rangers takeover king gets close-up look at Barry Ferguson and witnesses wounds begin to heal – Keith Jackson
Barry Ferguson names the exact Rangers moment he became ‘concerned’ about Celtic amid wild Fenerbahce celebrations
Barry Ferguson names the exact Rangers moment he became ‘concerned’ about Celtic amid wild Fenerbahce celebrations
Chris Sutton insists Celtic BURYING Rangers is all the motivation they need as Kris Boyd fears it’s party time
Chris Sutton insists Celtic BURYING Rangers is all the motivation they need as Kris Boyd fears it’s party time
Barry Ferguson reveals Rangers remedy to Celtic Park pain that’s gone on too long as derby veteran not scared to rip it up
Barry Ferguson reveals Rangers remedy to Celtic Park pain that’s gone on too long as derby veteran not scared to rip it up
Rangers fans’ choice for next manager revealed as poll produces big numbers for Gerrard, Ferguson and Muscat
Rangers fans’ choice for next manager revealed as poll produces big numbers for Gerrard, Ferguson and Muscat
Former Rangers star in bullish Celtic clash prediction as Barry Ferguson told where he’s TEN times better than Clement
Former Rangers star in bullish Celtic clash prediction as Barry Ferguson told where he’s TEN times better than Clement
Barry Ferguson cranks up Rangers volume to blow Mourinho away as Brian Laudrup backing gets coy response from boss
Barry Ferguson cranks up Rangers volume to blow Mourinho away as Brian Laudrup backing gets coy response from boss
Steven Gerrard WOULD return to Rangers as Andrew Cavenagh’s flying Ibrox visit sparks ‘step back’ takeover advice
Steven Gerrard WOULD return to Rangers as Andrew Cavenagh’s flying Ibrox visit sparks ‘step back’ takeover advice
The comprehensive Celtic plan for Rangers fan return as images of safety nets emerge amid £2.6m installation
The comprehensive Celtic plan for Rangers fan return as images of safety nets emerge amid £2.6m installation
The Rangers risk Steven Naismith reckons will come into play despite usual Celtic psyche up
The Rangers risk Steven Naismith reckons will come into play despite usual Celtic psyche up
The Rangers fly in the ointment of Celtic procession as English Premier League lieutenant relishing ‘insane’ prospect
The Rangers fly in the ointment of Celtic procession as English Premier League lieutenant relishing ‘insane’ prospect
Barry Ferguson has Rangers ready to rumble and willing to get down and dirty in Celtic Park trenches
Barry Ferguson has Rangers ready to rumble and willing to get down and dirty in Celtic Park trenches
6 VIP pundits deliver Celtic vs Rangers verdict as lack of Premiership title jeopardy makes Hoops hero SAD
6 VIP pundits deliver Celtic vs Rangers verdict as lack of Premiership title jeopardy makes Hoops hero SAD
Rangers icon flies in to publicly back Barry Ferguson as next permanent Ibrox boss
Rangers icon flies in to publicly back Barry Ferguson as next permanent Ibrox boss
Wild Rangers Euro nights left me sleepless and if Celtic catch them napping they’ll wake up to a nightmare – Scott Arfield
Wild Rangers Euro nights left me sleepless and if Celtic catch them napping they’ll wake up to a nightmare – Scott Arfield
Kris Boyd airs Rangers Europa League caution and delivers Celtic Park gut feeling
Kris Boyd airs Rangers Europa League caution and delivers Celtic Park gut feeling
What channel is Celtic vs Rangers? Live stream, TV, ref, VAR and Old Firm team news
What channel is Celtic vs Rangers? Live stream, TV, ref, VAR and Old Firm team news
Brendan Rodgers sees no great Rangers change under Barry Ferguson but Celtic boss reveals what he HAS spotted
Brendan Rodgers sees no great Rangers change under Barry Ferguson but Celtic boss reveals what he HAS spotted
Brendan Rodgers shuts down Rangers excuse avenue as Celtic boss uses Liverpool example to prove ‘it’s all mental’
Brendan Rodgers shuts down Rangers excuse avenue as Celtic boss uses Liverpool example to prove ‘it’s all mental’
Rangers survivor Issame Charai talks ‘shock’ at Clement exit, Barry Ferguson and plan to gun down Celtic
Rangers survivor Issame Charai talks ‘shock’ at Clement exit, Barry Ferguson and plan to gun down Celtic
Rangers takeover king gets close-up look at Barry Ferguson and witnesses wounds begin to heal – Keith Jackson
Rangers takeover king gets close-up look at Barry Ferguson and witnesses wounds begin to heal – Keith Jackson
Barry Ferguson names the exact Rangers moment he became ‘concerned’ about Celtic amid wild Fenerbahce celebrations
Barry Ferguson names the exact Rangers moment he became ‘concerned’ about Celtic amid wild Fenerbahce celebrations
Chris Sutton insists Celtic BURYING Rangers is all the motivation they need as Kris Boyd fears it’s party time
Chris Sutton insists Celtic BURYING Rangers is all the motivation they need as Kris Boyd fears it’s party time
Barry Ferguson reveals Rangers remedy to Celtic Park pain that’s gone on too long as derby veteran not scared to rip it up
Barry Ferguson reveals Rangers remedy to Celtic Park pain that’s gone on too long as derby veteran not scared to rip it up
Rangers fans’ choice for next manager revealed as poll produces big numbers for Gerrard, Ferguson and Muscat
Rangers fans’ choice for next manager revealed as poll produces big numbers for Gerrard, Ferguson and Muscat
Former Rangers star in bullish Celtic clash prediction as Barry Ferguson told where he’s TEN times better than Clement
Former Rangers star in bullish Celtic clash prediction as Barry Ferguson told where he’s TEN times better than Clement
Barry Ferguson cranks up Rangers volume to blow Mourinho away as Brian Laudrup backing gets coy response from boss
Barry Ferguson cranks up Rangers volume to blow Mourinho away as Brian Laudrup backing gets coy response from boss
Steven Gerrard WOULD return to Rangers as Andrew Cavenagh’s flying Ibrox visit sparks ‘step back’ takeover advice
Steven Gerrard WOULD return to Rangers as Andrew Cavenagh’s flying Ibrox visit sparks ‘step back’ takeover advice
The comprehensive Celtic plan for Rangers fan return as images of safety nets emerge amid £2.6m installation
The comprehensive Celtic plan for Rangers fan return as images of safety nets emerge amid £2.6m installation
The Rangers risk Steven Naismith reckons will come into play despite usual Celtic psyche up
The Rangers risk Steven Naismith reckons will come into play despite usual Celtic psyche up
The Rangers fly in the ointment of Celtic procession as English Premier League lieutenant relishing ‘insane’ prospect
The Rangers fly in the ointment of Celtic procession as English Premier League lieutenant relishing ‘insane’ prospect
Barry Ferguson has Rangers ready to rumble and willing to get down and dirty in Celtic Park trenches
Barry Ferguson has Rangers ready to rumble and willing to get down and dirty in Celtic Park trenches
6 VIP pundits deliver Celtic vs Rangers verdict as lack of Premiership title jeopardy makes Hoops hero SAD
6 VIP pundits deliver Celtic vs Rangers verdict as lack of Premiership title jeopardy makes Hoops hero SAD
Rangers icon flies in to publicly back Barry Ferguson as next permanent Ibrox boss
Rangers icon flies in to publicly back Barry Ferguson as next permanent Ibrox boss
Wild Rangers Euro nights left me sleepless and if Celtic catch them napping they’ll wake up to a nightmare – Scott Arfield
Wild Rangers Euro nights left me sleepless and if Celtic catch them napping they’ll wake up to a nightmare – Scott Arfield
Kris Boyd airs Rangers Europa League caution and delivers Celtic Park gut feeling
Kris Boyd airs Rangers Europa League caution and delivers Celtic Park gut feeling
What channel is Celtic vs Rangers? Live stream, TV, ref, VAR and Old Firm team news
What channel is Celtic vs Rangers? Live stream, TV, ref, VAR and Old Firm team news
Brendan Rodgers sees no great Rangers change under Barry Ferguson but Celtic boss reveals what he HAS spotted
Brendan Rodgers sees no great Rangers change under Barry Ferguson but Celtic boss reveals what he HAS spotted
Brendan Rodgers shuts down Rangers excuse avenue as Celtic boss uses Liverpool example to prove ‘it’s all mental’
Brendan Rodgers shuts down Rangers excuse avenue as Celtic boss uses Liverpool example to prove ‘it’s all mental’
Rangers survivor Issame Charai talks ‘shock’ at Clement exit, Barry Ferguson and plan to gun down Celtic
Rangers survivor Issame Charai talks ‘shock’ at Clement exit, Barry Ferguson and plan to gun down Celtic
Rangers takeover king gets close-up look at Barry Ferguson and witnesses wounds begin to heal – Keith Jackson
Rangers takeover king gets close-up look at Barry Ferguson and witnesses wounds begin to heal – Keith Jackson
Barry Ferguson names the exact Rangers moment he became ‘concerned’ about Celtic amid wild Fenerbahce celebrations
Barry Ferguson names the exact Rangers moment he became ‘concerned’ about Celtic amid wild Fenerbahce celebrations
Chris Sutton insists Celtic BURYING Rangers is all the motivation they need as Kris Boyd fears it’s party time
Chris Sutton insists Celtic BURYING Rangers is all the motivation they need as Kris Boyd fears it’s party time
Barry Ferguson reveals Rangers remedy to Celtic Park pain that’s gone on too long as derby veteran not scared to rip it up
Barry Ferguson reveals Rangers remedy to Celtic Park pain that’s gone on too long as derby veteran not scared to rip it up
Rangers fans’ choice for next manager revealed as poll produces big numbers for Gerrard, Ferguson and Muscat
Rangers fans’ choice for next manager revealed as poll produces big numbers for Gerrard, Ferguson and Muscat
Former Rangers star in bullish Celtic clash prediction as Barry Ferguson told where he’s TEN times better than Clement
Former Rangers star in bullish Celtic clash prediction as Barry Ferguson told where he’s TEN times better than Clement
Barry Ferguson cranks up Rangers volume to blow Mourinho away as Brian Laudrup backing gets coy response from boss
Barry Ferguson cranks up Rangers volume to blow Mourinho away as Brian Laudrup backing gets coy response from boss
Steven Gerrard WOULD return to Rangers as Andrew Cavenagh’s flying Ibrox visit sparks ‘step back’ takeover advice
Steven Gerrard WOULD return to Rangers as Andrew Cavenagh’s flying Ibrox visit sparks ‘step back’ takeover advice
The comprehensive Celtic plan for Rangers fan return as images of safety nets emerge amid £2.6m installation
The comprehensive Celtic plan for Rangers fan return as images of safety nets emerge amid £2.6m installation
Not since Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist – coincidentally another pairing of Northern Irishman against Scot – squared up to each other on the touchline in 2011, at the end of a game when Walter Smith had to act as peacemaker, has the crackle surrounding the fixture been so clearly audible.
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You could argue that a succession of managerial rivalries dating from the time when McCoist replaced his mentor Smith at Ibrox have lacked the intensity that will be brought to this afternoon’s derby. Ferguson’s predecessor Philippe Clement never really ‘got’ the tribalism associated with the occasion – which might explain why he only won one of them in seven attempts.
Likewise, Mark Warburton, Pedro Caixinha, Graeme Murty and Michael Beale were like guests at somebody else’s function when they were in Rangers’ dugout on derby day.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Ange Postecoglou were photographed having coffee after having met accidentally at breakfast time in a restaurant when they were on opposite sides of the city, which would be regarded as civilised behaviour anywhere else in the world. But not in a city where ritual division is an obligation instead of an optional extra.
Who will win Celtic vs Rangers? Our writers deliver predictions for derby showdown at Parkhead
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Rangers manager Giovanni Van Bronckhorst and Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou photographed during a meeting in Glasgow’s west end.
Rodgers and Ferguson were born into the rivalry and brought up to understand its importance for the supporters they represent. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a bit of egomania being thrown into the mix as well when it comes to the battle for bragging rights.
Now that Jose Mourinho has been firmly deposited in Ferguson’s back pocket, following the defenestration of Fenerbahce in the Europa League at Ibrox on Thursday night, Rangers’ interim manager would dearly love to put Rodgers in there as well to keep
him company.
And it’s not hard to imagine that Ferguson’s sleep pattern since Thursday has been interrupted by a recurring vision of himself going triumphantly towards the away supporters to acknowledge victory over Celtic today.
Ferguson upholds the finest traditions of the fixture, having no time at all for the opposition while understanding that the rival supporters have nothing but contempt for him in return.
It is mutual loathing on an industrial scale and very likely a source of intense motivation for the man who is facing his first ever Old Firm derby as a manager.
Even if Ferguson and his players have had next to no recovery period after extra time, penalties and a dressing room rave following the European win over Mourinho’s side.
Rangers can now contemplate the Basque country and Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League quarter-finals. That’s better than the barren lands defined by a season without tangible reward of any description in their own country.
No one, though, has mastered the meeting of the Glasgow clubs from a managerial perspective better than Rodgers, whose win ratio sets him apart from all others in history.
When I said, during Brendan’s first engagement here, that for as long as he was Celtic manager, Rangers would live in their shadow it was a cause of outrage
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Barry Ferguson has Rangers ready to rumble and willing to get down and dirty in Celtic Park trenches
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But the words were accurate then and remain accurate now, bearing in mind that a win for his side today would put Celtic 19 points clear of the Ibrox side at the top of the league table and two games away from confirmation as title winners
Rangers interim head coach Barry Ferguson celebrates with Vaclav Cerny
The idea of being another notch on Ferguson’s belt and losing to someone who has never managed in an Old Firm game before, will be offensive to someone like Rodgers, who has an allowably keen appreciation of his own professional worth.
And to lose to the knackered version of Rangers would make matters even worse. But it should be recognised that we have now moved into the realms of clairvoyancy where the remainder of this season is concerned.
Who, other than those who would claim the ability to see the future, could have possibly imagined that Rangers could be three rounds away from winning a European trophy in the midst of a season that has brought them embarrassment, humiliation and a managerial sacking?
Kris Boyd airs Rangers Europa League caution and delivers Celtic Park gut feeling
Kris Boyd airs Rangers Europa League caution and delivers Celtic Park gut feeling
What channel is Celtic vs Rangers? Live stream, TV, ref, VAR and Old Firm team news
What channel is Celtic vs Rangers? Live stream, TV, ref, VAR and Old Firm team news
Brendan Rodgers sees no great Rangers change under Barry Ferguson but Celtic boss reveals what he HAS spotted
Brendan Rodgers sees no great Rangers change under Barry Ferguson but Celtic boss rev
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