George Overhill

Fri 12 May 2023 21:10, UK

Tam McManus has predicted a 2-2 draw in a “damp squib” of an Old Firm derby that Rangers will want to win more, but will have to wary of a “dangerous animal” in Celtic.

With the title already wrapped up and the Gers having not won in five meetings so far this season the pressure is only really on the home side, with Michael Beale yet to taste victory in the fixture.

And while McManus has poured scorn on the significance of the last clash if the season he has suggested the game itself could be a good one.

McManus said on PLZ Soccer’s The Football Show on Friday (12 May), via their Twitter account: “It’s one of the most damp squib Old Firm games that I can remember. I don’t think anybody’s looking at this as if to say there’s something on it.

“I think Rangers will want to win the game more than Celtic, to prove a point that they can beat Celtic. I think there’s no pressure whatsoever for Celtic going into the game, they’ve won the league. And I think that could make them a dangerous animal as well.

“I’m going to sit on the fence, I think there’ll be goals in it. I can see both teams really going at it hammer and tongs. I’m going to go for two each.”

Full-blooded

There’s always something on the Old Firm derby, and while it easy for those not affiliated with the Light Blues to brush it off as meaningless to highlight the league table, the players and the manager are going to need to stay focused.

Six games against Celtic without a win would be dismal, and while a consolation victory in the last meeting of the season after the title is gone won’t make up for the previous five, it would get some of this side to clear the mental barrier that appears to be developing.

Mind-numbing errors have thrown away the past two when the overall performances were good enough to get a win, so if this squad can’t come out on top with the relative pressure is off then there will be problems.

Already there will be plenty of change this summer, and it would make far more sense for Beale to stick with players who are likely to be featuring in Old Firm derbies in future, but a repeat of the kind of mistakes that put paid to the Scottish Cup semi final and the visit to Parkhead could see some more ushered towards the exit.

There’s little to be gained immediately from a positive performance backed up with a result, but next season and beyond when it really matters it could prove the difference.

And since there has been precious little to cheer in a meaningful sense this season it is the least the fans deserve to get one result against the Hoops before a long summer of turnover.

In other Rangers news, an international manager has raved about one of the key talents at Ibrox.