Rangers icon Kris Boyd has made a powerful prediction ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster Old Firm clash with Celtic.
Rangers take on Celtic in Old Firm title battle
The build-up to Sunday’s Old Firm derby at Celtic Park has been dominated by one question – who needs it more? According to one of Scottish football’s most outspoken voices, the answer is both.
Hearts host Aberdeen at Tynecastle on Saturday, leaving them four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a split looming.
Virtually everyone attending the match expects Derek McInnes’ side to take the three points. If that happens, they head into next week knowing that the chasing pack needs to keep winning.
The pressure, then, on both Rangers and Celtic on Sunday will be immense.
It’s the kind of pressure that defines the title race. It’s the kind of thing that separates clubs that want it from clubs that have the courage to seriously go after it.
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Gers manager Danny Rohr admitted he was “surprised” he didn’t think more of it after Celtic took a 1-0 lead against Stuttgart in the Europa League play-off second leg in the build-up to Sunday’s game. The Hoops are currently out of Europe and their hopes of having a good season depend on leading Hearts and their bitter rivals to the title.
Rolls Rangers are second, four points behind Hearts and just one point behind Celtic.
Victory at Celtic Park narrows the gap at the top of the table. A loss, on the other hand, could effectively end the season before March officially begins.
Kris Boyd predicts Rangers vs Celtic with stern Old Firm warning
Boyd doesn’t mince words, explaining the magnitude of this match in the harshest terms possible.
“For me it doesn’t matter who loses, especially Celtic,” Boyd told Sky Sports.
The former Rangers striker believes the consequences of defeat will be even worse for the Hoops than for their city rivals. Celtic are sitting on the bank with a game in hand, but Boyd is not convinced that will provide any real comfort given the size of the gap they will be looking at.
“If Rangers win, I don’t see a way back to Celtic,” he continued.
“Obviously they will have that game coming up on Wednesday night, but looking at it at the moment Celtic or Rangers have to win the game to stay in contact with Hearts or stay close to Hearts because I think they can definitely get the three points against Aberdeen on Saturday.”
Boyd has no concerns about Roll preparing his players for this opportunity.
The atmosphere created by Rangers’ support this season has been remarkable and the former striker believes Sunday will be no different.
“There’s going to be a lot of pressure. Rangers are at home. I don’t think there’s any problem with Danny Rolle getting his team into an Old Firm game anyway, but I don’t think there’s any problem at home,” he said.
“As we saw against Hearts, the fans will be right behind the team, probably as loud as the Rangers fans we have heard at Ibrox for many years.
“It is up to the players to perform in a way that will help Rangers get the three points, but once again, a loser is a loser.”
Boyd knows it ultimately comes down to what happens on the pitch. It’s very simple.
Sunday is the cup final in name only. Scottish title races tend to be decided by moments like this one, and Hearts will be watching while eating popcorn.
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