Caldwell: Bhoys nine games from glory

GARY CALDWELL insists Celtic must ignore the hype and the prophets of doom and focus on the fact they are now nine games from glory.

They head to Ibrox for a lunchtime showdown with Rangers today which could see them slide six points adrift of their Old Firm rivals, who already have the advantage of a game in hand.

Rangers will be hoping to take a giant step towards ending Celtic’s two-year reign as Scottish champions but, as far as Caldwell is concerned, the trip to Ibrox provides the ideal opportunity for Celtic to demonstrate their own title credentials and show they remain the strongest team in the country.

The 25-year-old defender said: “There are nine games left and, if we win them all, we are champions. It’s as simple as that.

“It starts on Saturday and we must win to put pressure on Rangers. We set out to win the title at the start of the season, it’s always been the aim, and I’m sure we’ll do it.”

Asked if Celtic are a better team than Rangers despite SPL standings, Caldwell replied: “Yes, I think we are.

“We have players who can hurt teams and it’s about getting those players on the ball in areas to do that. Saturday’s game will prove who is better.”

Rangers have won all three Old Firm clashes since Walter Smith’s return to the Ibrox helm 15 months ago. The most recent – the 3-0 win at Ibrox earlier this season – proved to be a comprehensive defeat for Celtic and Caldwell admits a similar outcome this weekend is unthinkable.

“Defeat is never an option in an Old Firm game,” he said. “It’s not a nice feeling for the players, the staff and everyone involved with the club. Saturday is no different.

“We don’t want to lose, we want to go and win the game and we will be doing everything we can to do that.

“We’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time and I’m sure we can take it. This is our chance to close the gap.”

Caldwell was one of four Celtic players involved in Scotland’s midweek friendly against Croatia at Hampden, while Rangers caused a stir by withdrawing as many of their own players through injury.

Skipper Barry Ferguson, Lee McCulloch, Christian Dailly and Allan McGregor are all now expected to report fit for today’s clash.

“I think they had genuine injuries and had to rest and look after themselves,” said Caldwell.

“I don’t think you can question their willingness to play for their country, I’m sure they were genuinely injured. They had to pull out and we didn’t. That isn’t going to have any bearing on Saturday.”

Rangers assistant boss Ally McCoist has slammed the conspiracy theorists who disagree with Caldwell on this, saying he has no time for suggestions they were merely being kept fresh for today’s clash.

“The fact of the matter is the medical staff at Scotland declared them unfit, which they were,” McCoist said.

“I can understand what all the fuss is about because it makes good reading, good television and good radio but they were declared unfit and we knew they were unfit.

“I would just like to tell you that there is nobody wants to play for their country more than those boys in the dressing room.’’

He added: “They are all better, I am delighted to say. We are hopeful that they will be involved and if all of them are fit to play I will be more than pleased.”

McCoist admits this Old Firm fixture is so keenly awaited that next week’s UEFA Cup quarter-final first-leg encounter with Sporting Lisbon at Ibrox has been all but ignored.

He said: “I sense that there is a little bit more interest in this game than any other Old Firm game for a very long time.

“Ian Durrant was over at Lisbon last week to see Sporting and they got knocked out of the League Cup on penalties. He came back on Monday and – in the nicest possible way – nobody wanted to talk to him about the game because we are focusing on the game against Celtic.

“We will get this game out of the way and then we will look at Ian’s report on Sunday morning. We have an opportunity to create a bigger gap between us and Celtic and that is something that we want to do.

“The players are the same as the punters in the respect that they get excited, they talk about it, they look forward to it and I can tell you that our lads are really looking forward to it.”

McCoist added: “There is equal pressure on both sides. It is as vital for us to win this as it is for Celtic.

“Both clubs are doing very, very well in the league and the recent results have been very good. I just think that the punters and fans feel that something has to give.

“I don’t know who the draw suits. I’m not thinking about drawing and I’m not thinking about losing.”