Kenny Miller claims Old Firm victory ‘bigger’ than Rangers ‘unacceptable’ Champions League exit
Rangers will beat Celtic in their Old Firm clash which is a “bigger” game than their Champions League match against PSV, according to Kenny Miller.
As reported in the Daily Record (3 September), Miller claimed that their 5-1 thrashing and subsequent elimination before the UCL group stages was “unacceptable”, but will be “completely forgotten about” if they can overcome their rivals on Sunday afternoon (3 September).
With both managers under pressure already this season, Miller claims he would choose an Old Firm win over UCL qualification.
Writing for the Daily Record (3 September), Miller said: “Now, saying it is one thing. Doing it, and actually beating Celtic is another. Personally, I think they will. And if they do, that puts Rangers and Beale in a good place going into the international break.
“Listen, the 5-1 defeat to PSV in the Champions League on Wednesday night was a sore one. And I’ll stand by my view that it’s unacceptable for a Rangers team to suffer that scoreline against ANYONE.
“No player, manager or fan can ever accept losing in that manner. And the riches that would have come from being in the Champions League are significant, so it’s a blow for the club. But it’s gone now. And for me, today’s game against Celtic is bigger than the one in Eindhoven.
“Some people within Ibrox might disagree. But at the start of last week, if you’d offered me a straight choice between Champions League football or an Old Firm victory I’d have taken the latter. Today is Rangers’ bread and butter. And trust me, pick up three points at Ibrox and Wednesday night will be completely forgotten about.”
Time to bounce back
The sting of missing out on Champions League qualification will still be hurting the Ibrox faithful, but the most effective pain relief will be a convincing performance and victory over Celtic.
The 5-1 loss was something of an embarrassment for the club, players and for Beale himself who had to take the defeat on the chin and quickly refocus his energy on the looming Old Firm showdown.
Their noisy neighbours are having their own problems too. Criticism of Brenden Rodgers’ slower and dull football, compared to Ange Postecoglou’s, has been rife. An early elimination from the League Cup at the hands of Kilmarnock has soured the early stages of Celtic’s season, but a win for either side will see them end this game week above their rivals.
Speaking ahead of this game, Beale was honest in his assessment of the PSV defeat but noted his side’s strong league form is a good sign of a favourable outcome. He said: “We are moving in the right direction. I must pick the bones out of Wednesday night at the right time, it would be a miss of me to do that in between Wednesday and this huge game on Sunday.”
Miller is correct. Victory on Sunday afternoon will quickly trump the defeat on Wednesday night (30 August). It’s not like the Gers’ European dreams are over this season, as they earned their spot in the Europa League with a favourable set of opponents in the group stages.
They have a significantly higher chance of success in UEFA’s secondary European competition, so their defeat may emerge as a blessing in disguise, despite the missed financial opportunity.
The players must be up for the clash, and Beale must ease some of the pressure that is only getting heavier and heavier.
In other Rangers news, Stephen McGowan has shared his view ahead of the “poisonous” Old Firm clash.