Whether you call it the Old Firm or the Glasgow Derby, you definitely call it the biggest match in Scottish football, and probably one of the biggest rivalries in all of sports too.
The first one of the season kicks off tomorrow at 12pm as Rangers host Celtic in the quarter-final of the Premier Sports Cup as a place at Hampden is at stake.
The match feels marred by the post-match events of March’s meeting. Initially, Celtic were intended to receive just 300 away tickets, but this meeting, as well as all league meetings this season will now be played in front of no away fans.
It’s been a disappointing start to the season for Rangers after missing out on European football, but they come into the match on the back of four successive wins. Derrick McIness’ side defeated St. Mirren 1-0 on Wednesday night thanks to a stoppage time winner from Bojan Miovski. The hosts earned their place in the last eight thanks to a 5-1 win over St. Mirren at Ibrox.
As for Celtic, they too come into the match after four successive wins and a 1-0 victory over a team called the Saints, as they defeated newly promoted St. Johnstone in Perth on Wednesday night. Celtic’s Round of 16 victory came at Tannadice as they defeated Dundee United 4-0 last month.
The last time these two sides met, Celtic ran out 3-1 winners thanks to a Daizen Maeda double en route to winning the league. The last Ibrox meeting between the Glasgow sides was the infamous 0-0 draw in the Scottish Cup quarter-final, where Celtic won on penalties.
Derrick McInnes is no stranger to the fixture as a player, but ahead of his first one in the dugout, he said: “What it presents is a tough cup tie, but we have got it at Ibrox. We are 90 minutes away from Hampden; we are three games away from lifting silverware, and you have got to beat the good teams to win a trophy ordinarily.
“We have got to make it tough for Celtic as well, and I think they’ll expect a tough match, and that is what we intend to give them. It has got all the makings of a brilliant cup tie. We have just got to bring a performance now that gives us the chance to win it and hopefully progress through the tournament.
“We have got to bring the crowd with us. You are not going to play Celtic and dominate the game for 90 minutes. We will have spells, and they will have spells; that is just the way it is.
“It is important that we tap into having those 50,000 supporters behind us. Be behind the players, support them, have their backs, and really make it as tough as possible.
“We’ve got our part to play in that, and I feel if we can capitalise on good play and good opportunities, if we can get ourselves in front and give the crowd something to get behind, then the strength of our club can be shown.”
Looking ahead to the match, Celtic boss Martin O’Neill was asked about the lack of away fans, he said:”It’ll be strange in many aspects not to have any away fans in our area. I always felt as if it would give you a crumb of comfort in some description.
“Nervously looking forward to it, excitedly looking forward to it.”
He was also asked about Celtic’s recent derby record in light of Rangers winning four successive matches coming into this one. O’Neill said: “I suppose if you get in front in the game, that makes them anxious.
“Talking about getting in front and getting in front are two different things. The crowd will be right behind their team, which you would expect.
“We just do our best. We know that we’re up against a very fine side. We’re up against a crowd that can make a difference. I’d be delighted to be celebrating something in the game.”