No sectarian singing, pleads Ferguson

RANGERS fans have been warned about sectarian singing by their club captain on the eve of the Old Firm derby.

Midfielder Barry Ferguson urged fans to heed recent warnings, issued after a UEFA fine for sectarian chanting.

He added: “I’m sure our fans won’t let us down and the players thank all those who have shown us great support”.

The derby at Celtic Park tomorrow is the first to take place since the introduction of orders which could see fans banned from football for 10 years.

Laurence Macintyre, Rangers’ head of safety, said: “We have made significant progress since the start of the season.

“We appeal to our supporters travelling to Parkhead on Saturday to once again show their support of our anti-sectarian policies.”

Earlier this month, Celtic chairman Brian Quinn urged fans not to sing offensive songs and chants.

Football banning orders were introduced by the Scottish executive on 1 September 1, giving courts the powers to ban supporters from all games for up to 10 years.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan says Old Firm games are no longer “all-out war” like they were 30 years ago. Strachan said the passion remained but the “nasty” nature of the encounters had gone.

“Every one of them is something different, but the game is for the fans and the players,” he said.

“As a manager, you have to get above that and stay calm and collected. So it’s not that mind-blowing because you try and take every game as seriously. It’s exciting, there is no doubt about that, but I can find something in every game to get me excited.”

Strachan said the fixture had changed for the better since the 1980s, when he was a player.

“It used to be all-out war 20 or 30 years ago,” he said. “It’s not like that now, there’s more to it now.

“I wouldn’t like to have played in an Old Firm game 25 years ago, when you could kick lumps out of each other — I was usually the target for the kickers. I had enough playing at Celtic Park against big Roy (Aitken) and all the rest of them, don’t worry about that.”

Meanwhile, Rangers manager Paul Le Guen wants to see his side get back on track in his first-ever derby clash with Celtic.

He said: “I am looking forward to the match with Celtic because it is an important occasion in the season. We will try and help the players who are playing in this match for the first time but I think the defeat last Sunday will help in a motivational sense.

“They must be ready to fight. We have to have players who will give their all because we need the result.”

Le Guen has yet to field a settled side and made eight changes for the midweek CIS cup win at Dunfermline after losing at Hibs last weekend.

“I am trying to do my best to find a good solution. Some players are injured, some are just coming back from injury.

“It’s difficult to find a good mix, a good balance. But we are in a good way for this game.”

Rangers are third in the SPL table and trail their old rivals, who lead the way, by four points.

“They (Celtic) are more sure of themselves than us, that is clear, because they are champions and they have started better than us,” Le Guen said.

“They are more confident but there is nothing like a victory against Celtic to get confidence. Celtic have a good squad. They have recruited well, especially with (Jan) Vennegoor of Hesselink and (Thomas) Gravesen.

“I think they have a good defence with (Gary) Caldwell and (Stephen) McManus. There is a good balance to the side. However, we must satisfy the supporters and ourselves.”

Gary Caldwell, Lee Naylor, Thomas Gravesen and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink should all make their Old Firm debuts for Celtic.

Rangers will be without the suspended Phil Bardsley and injured duo Jeremy Clement and Lionel Letizi. Dado Prso has been passed fit to play, while Kris Boyd is likely to get the nod ahead of Filip Sebo up front.

Alan Hutton should remain at right back, with Bardsley missing and Sasa Papac pressing for a start in central defence. Brahim Hemdani is the likely partner for skipper Barry Ferguson in central midfield.