Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst geared up for Old Firm clash v Celtic
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is ready for the massive Old Firm derby tomorrow, saying that for the 90 minutes, he and Ange Postecoglu are “enemies”.
While outlining the professional respect between the two, the Dutch boss made clear that neither will be focused on that for the duration of the match where “we will do anything” for the result.
Speaking live on Sky Sports News on Tuesday (February 1, 02.05pm) the Ibrox manager said of his opposite number: “I have much respect for him and I think it’s mutual.
“It’s good to have the rivalry but also the respect to each other as coach. We’re both professional and tomorrow we are enemies.”
Of the prospect of a post-match drink between the managers he added: “We are playing away so he has to invite me.”
Van Bronckhorst knows the importance of the derby from his playing days, and is fired up going into a crucial one tomorrow, saying: “To go to Celtic Park without fans, we have to be there, and have to be strong as a team.
“These also are the challenges in your career you want to have and you want to feel. You want to feel the emotion and the atmosphere.
Six-pointer
This match couldn’t be bigger considering how results have gone since the winter break, as if a clash between the two Glasgow rivals needed to be heightened any further.
The Hoops have been a perfect three wins out of three, albeit by the skin of their teeth, yet Gers have dropped four points with unexpected draws against Aberdeen and Ross County.
After a flawless run since the arrival of the new manager this was a shock to the system, and has seen the gap between the top two suddenly reduced to only two points.
It has been the two away matches that have not gone the Light Blues way, throwing away leads in both, and with tomorrow’s Old Firm at Celtic Park that is a habit that needs to be broken immediately.
The excitement of the January transfer window may have been just the boost the club needed, with Aaron Ramsey the last-minute headline arrival.
While the Welshman is not going to be available for Wednesday, the club have shown their intent, and it is now up to the players to turn it on for the remainder of the seasons.
In other Rangers news, this signing’s international teammate has tipped him to be one of the top players in the country.