Rangers boss Michael Beale has been talking about the “pressure” that will be on referee Kevin Clancy at Celtic Park.
The Gers are set to visit the home of their Old Firm rivals this weekend in a must-win Premiership clash if the club harbours any ambitions of a title race.
And the Gers will have to chip into Celtic’s nine point advantage with Kevin Clancy behind the whistle, a responsibility Michael Beale has been talking about this week.
Amid the draining conversation about ticket allocations and how it’s all big bad Rangers’ fault, we think it’s Celtic who really benefit from the fact there will be no away fans at the next two Old Firms.
Rangers know that anything but victory all but ends their title resistance with expectant fans already gunning for a squad who have repeatedly bottled it against their rivals.
These stuttering Rangers players will have to overcome the atmosphere of an expectant Celtic Park to prove themselves to fans and that will be no mean feat.
Michael Beale: Kevin Clancy under pressure
As if to make a point ahead of the game, Michael Beale has been mentioning the importance of the referee in not being swayed with Kevin Clancy the man in the middle.
The referee is believed to be Celtic’s preferred whistler, and you only need to look at his performance at Parkhead in 2019 to see why. Even if Rangers won the game 2-1.
The Gers will have to overcome the odds on the pitch to win the day and Michael Beale has been talking about the job Kevin Clancy has on his hands heading into the game.
“It impacts it because it’s very hostile when you go,” said Beale.
“I think the referees are under a huge amount of pressure. Even having just a few fans is better than none, I would say.
“You’d always rather some fans, even if it was only a small amount.
“I just think it adds to the flavour of the game and, again, the pressure it puts on the referee if you have a large crowd in favour of one team.”
