Kevin Thomson knew a thing or two about what it took to win Old Firm games although I doubt that he would see half-time given some of the challenges he used to make in them, let’s just say they straddled the line of what is usually a red card, getting them early often saving him from walking.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Kelty Hearts manager and TV pundit has explained exactly what he thinks is needed by his old club to get the job done against Celtic in what is one of the most eagerly anticipated derbies in years:
“If they can start really sharp, be on the front foot, early tackles, early chances, imposing themselves on the game, it could be a defining factor.”
Thomson is right, we have to be at it from the first whistle, keep them penned in their own half and don’t let them out, at Parkhead we allowed them to dictate the tempo and it backfired massively. We aren’t the sort of team that can just sit back and defend, the performances against Borussia Dortmund and Red Star Belgrade are a testament to this, we look better on the front foot.
🗣️”If they can start really sharp, be on the front foot, early tackles, early chances, imposing themselves on the game, it could be a defining factor.”
Kevin Thomson believes Rangers will get some payback on Sunday for Celtic’s win in the last Old Firm clash 👇 pic.twitter.com/54pf5vADfZ
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 31, 2022
The attitude and mindset should be exactly as Thomson explains though, we have everything to lose in this game and being passive isn’t an option, plus, we are at Ibrox and will have 50,000 fans roaring the team on.
With Ryan Jack and John Lundstram in the middle of the park we have as close to the Barry Ferguson and Kevin Thomson midfield as we have had for years, and I for one, can’t wait to see them impose themselves on this game, no way will they have things as easy this time around.