Rangers have the small matter of a Europa League last 16 clash with Fenerbahce to take care of before any thoughts can turn to the Old Firm at the weekend.
As fans though, it’s fine to get a little distracted, especially as it is the first Old Firm with away fans for some time, even if the result itself is somewhat irrelevant.
Barry Ferguson might not be Rangers manager for long, however, given his affinity with the club, he won’t want to step aside with a losing record against a team he enjoyed such success over.
In total, Ferguson beat Celtic 14 times as a player and he will be hoping that this record continues at Celtic Park to send the more than 2000 Light Blues fans back to Govan happy.
As always, thoughts of the Old Firm always stirs up the emotions and national broadcasters are no different as Ally McCoist and Alan Brazil proved on Talksport on Wednesday the 12th of March’s breakfast show.
- READ MORE: Why Rangers vs Celtic is Called The Old Firm
Ally McCoist in Celtic Park dig as Rangers legend bites back
Shortly before 8am, the boisterous pair were discussing Man Utd’s potential new £2bn stadium before the conversation drifted, and this is how it went:
Brazil: Is the Old Firm this weekend?
McCoist: Yes, it is.
Brazil: We’ve got a few of your mob turning up.
McCoist: There is, there is actually.
Brazil: We’ve seen sense, to keep the best derby in the world going, we’ve relented.
McCoist: Relented?!
Brazil: We’ll let some of you in.
McCoist: Oh, thanks very much. Relenting?!
Brazil: Some of you might have to pay double to get in but it doesnae matter.
McCoist: I’d like to take this opportunity on behalf of all Rangers fans to thank you for relenting, Al.
And when McCoist mentioned that his two sons are venturing behind enemy lines…..
Brazil: How’d they get tickets?
McCoist: Big Andy.
Brazil: Andy who?
McCoist: Big Andy S.
Brazil: I thought he was a Bluenose?
McCoist: He is a Bluenose. Well, they’re not going to sit in the Celtic end are they, my boys!
Getting back on track, the pair returned to the original subject up for debate before, once again, letting their true colours shine through…
Brazil: It’s about time Ibrox had something done to it, isn’t it? New gates or something?
McCoist: The stadium’s ok, (away you go), it’s the team!
Brazil: Away you go, it’s falling to bits.
McCoist: It’s better than yours!
Brazil: It’s falling to bits!
McCoist: You’ve still got scaffolding up, floodlights in the way so boys cannae see the game, man, what’s that stadium all about man, Celtic Park?!
Bitter Brazil can’t hide his jealousy over five-star Ibrox
It looks like there is a hint of the green-eyed monster coming out of Brazil whose club play in a stadium that can be loud, but is far from the sort to make others jealous.
Ibrox, on the other hand, a five-star UEFA rated stadium with a 125-year old facade and main stand that is admired throughout the footballing world, rather than one that looks like a job centre or office block.
Since 2015, Rangers have put tens of millions into Ibrox to bring it up to standard and then, improve it.
The Ibrox renovation farce in the summer of 2024 might have been embarrassing, however, what it did do was significantly improve the facilities for disabled fans.
With several hospitality lounges and restaurants renovated, as well as the addition of New Edmiston House, Brazil could probably do with urging his own club to get their house in order, and at least let fans see the pitch.
