Old Firm win will convince the fans

DEREK WHYTE believes an Old Firm victory this weekend will be enough for Gordon Strachan to finally win the full backing of the Celtic supporters.

Whyte spent seven years at Parkhead, which taught him exactly how much is at stake whenever Celtic and Rangers clash.

Crucial Bank of Scotland Premier League points are up for grabs at Ibrox, as well as the psychological edge which comes from a triumph in the first Old Firm derby of the season.

But, for Strachan, the game also represents a chance to convince any doubters he is the right man to succeed Martin O‘Neill.

O‘Neill‘s own Celtic career got off to the best possible start when his own Old Firm debut ended with a 6-2 win and Whyte knows Strachan would love a similar result at Ibrox.

He said: “I’m quite surprised people still have doubts about Gordon Strachan, to be honest. I know Gordon, he is a football man and is just trying to do things a bit differently.

“I expect to see a good game of football between two teams who want to pass the ball about and there is no better way for a manager to win support than by claiming all three points in his first Old Firm game.”

Frailties were exposed in Celtic’s defence when they haemorrhaged nine goals in their opening two games but Whyte insists the recent improvements show there is no need to panic.

He said: “A lot of it has been blown out of proportion. Paul Telfer has been a great asset, Stephen McManus looks like a player who deserves his chance, while Mo Camara needs time to gel.”

But Whyte believes Strachan’s biggest problem is a clause in Bobo Balde’s contract which allows the defender to walk away from the club for nothing before the transfer window closes. The Guinea international saw a move to Marseille collapse last week and he is also being linked with a move to Spain before August 31.

Whyte added: “It is an unusual clause to have and it looks as though he is trying to get himself a move elsewhere. The Celtic fans just want to know what is happening and I think it would be best if he left.

“But I am sure he is professional enough to play at his best while he is at Celtic and the good thing is that he needs to perform well to win a move elsewhere.”