Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has issued a rallying cry to the club’s fans ahead of Saturday’s Old Firm clash with Celtic.
The Gers have not beaten their city rivals in any of their previous 12 attempts, but will know that a win at Ibrox this weekend will take them level on points with the Hoops at the top of the SPL table.
Speaking ahead of the match, as quoted by Sky Sports, Gerrard was eager to play up the importance of a raucous home support.
He said: “There’s no doubt about it, the atmosphere will be electric tomorrow. We need our fans right behind us, we want them to push us all the way. We want them to take the roof off.”
Gerrard lost his first Old Firm 1-0 back in September, and is keen to avenge some of that disappointment this time around.
He said: “I felt as if the first 45 minutes at Celtic Park, we didn’t give a true account of ourselves.
“We played in a shell and lacked a bit of bravery and belief in the first 45 minutes. We grew into the game and improved as it went on, but it wasn’t enough. For me, I just hope the players give a good account of themselves [tomorrow].
“This type of fixture gets scrutinised more than any other – we’re aware of that. But I have confidence and belief in my players. I know that if they bring their A game, it should be enough to get the result we want.”
OPINION
The significance and influence of a vocal home support and an electric atmosphere should not be underestimated in this kind of game. The margins will surely be tight, and that fabled twelfth man that a crowd can provide could be the difference in this one. Belief around Ibrox will be higher than it has been for many years, and with good reason. Already, having only been in the job a few months, Gerrard has turned his side into proper title contenders, and that in itself should be applauded. Rangers still have a way to go, and have needlessly dropped points on several occasions in recent weeks, but that kind of complacency will surely be displaced by the importance of Saturday’s meeting. Celtic do still have a game in hand, even if Rangers can tie up things at the top of the table, but the pressure and momentum that a home victory could create this weekend might have a huge bearing on the title race.