George Overhill

Sat 8 April 2023 9:40, UK

Kris Boyd believes a Rangers defeat to Celtic would be “catastrophic” for the remainder of the season and likely see them lose the Scottish Cup meeting.

The Old Firm derby at Parkhead on Saturday (8 April) will be the third since Michael Beale took over and, having not won either of the first two, a loss would heap too much pressure on the semi-final on 30 April according to the Sky Sports pundit.

He is “not convinced they would be able to handle” the task of trying to stop Celtic winning the treble in that case, and although conversely a win this weekend would be a major psychological boost he is concerned by Connor Goldson’s comments leading up to the game, with the defender voicing his disappointment at not building on the 55th title win.

In his Scottish Sun column on Friday night (7 April) Boyd said: “The comments of Connor Goldson the other day were hardly the most upbeat heading into a must-win match. The defender claimed Rangers had stood still since winning title No55 and were now back to ‘square one’.

“He’s right, but is now the correct time to be saying it publicly? I’m not so sure the fans and his team-mates would be thrilled with such negativity.

“Of course I get players and managers have media duties to fulfil. But you need to be far cuter, especially in the build-up to an Old Firm clash, particularly one when the odds are stacked against you.”

Realist

Goldson didn’t say anything that most Gers fans haven’t been thinking over the past two seasons, but it is perhaps not the mindset that inspires the most confidence heading into an Old Firm derby without any fans behind you.

Of course the defender is a professional and he won’t be carrying a defeatist attitude onto the pitch, but any marginal psychological change for or against could be the difference in a crucial clash.

Beale went to the other extreme heading into the previous derby, displaying almost too much confidence ahead of the 2-1 Viaplay Cup final loss, and that came back to bite him.

An Old Firm derby should be enough in itself to get the players up for the occasion, but two of the last three visits to Parkhead have seen the Rangers team shrink into itself.

Anything similar in this meeting would set alarm bells ringing in a big way as it would suggest it was a deeper issue within the squad, rather than something attached to the Giovanni van Bronckhorst reign.

So Goldson’s views, although reasonable and accurate on their own, might have a few more than Boyd feeling slightly edgy ahead of kick-off.

But the proof will be on the pitch where a major hurdle needs clearing for Beale’s era in knocking off the only team he has faced without winning.

In other Rangers news, the Ibrox boss has been tipped to have £15million space to play with in the summer by BBC Sport’s Tom English.