Much has been made about the return of Celtic’s full allocation within the Broomloan Stand for this Sunday’s upcoming Scottish Cup Old Firm clash at Ibrox.
For the first time since 2018, a Glasgow Derby away support will have the ‘traditional’ away support at their rivals’ ground.
Just shy of 8,000 Celtic fans are set to swarm Ibrox for the second clash between the sides in seven days.
Celtic supporters see this as a chance to return to the status quo from before the allocation was cut – gloating, chanting and laughing at the majority inside the ground.
Ready for Revenge
But on the flip side – this is a chance for revenge, and a chance to put Celtic in their place in front of a packed away support for the first time in over a decade.
In the first half of the league match last weekend, Rangers proved when they are on it, they are far beyond this current Celtic team.
The problem was, as it has so often been this campaign, they could not maintain that level for 90 minutes.
Rangers boss Danny Rohl praised the crowd’s support last week and how they roared the players on.
He said: “The atmosphere was incredible – it pushed our players forward.”
Everything from Everyone
However, when Celtic pulled the game back, he admitted the nervousness from the stands was transferred onto his players who could “feel it in the stadium” and urged Ibrox to back the team to the full, for the entire contest.
Now, as they prepare to play in front of an expectant Celtic support, ready for a party that they attended against a depleted pre-Gerrard Rangers.
They can now show how much has changed, and that they are the club on the rise, and the club best set to challenge league leaders Hearts during the run-in.
Rohl spoke about this opportunity to make the Hoops day out miserable during his presser on Friday.
He said: “If we play 50 minutes like we did, then the 7,500 will also be quiet.”
A bold and gallus statement, but one Rangers have been crying out for in recent years.
Celtic players and management have hated us – we have shown them far too much respect – Rohl knows that this is a chance to turn the tide in Glasgow.
But he needs his players to make his words a reality and not just for 50 minutes but for 90.
