Source: Team_Talk
Old Firm final excites McManus
McManus was six years old when Celtic last won a major cup final against Rangers.[LNB]The defender remembers watching Joe Miller's Scottish Cup final winner on television in 1989 and now wants to have his own happy memories of a Hampden showpiece against Celtic's bitter rivals when they meet in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final.[LNB]"It's the first one a lot of us have played in," the 26-year-old said.[LNB]"As a kid they are the cup finals you remember. Certainly for myself, I remember the '89 one."[LNB]McManus will lead out Celtic in a cup final for the first time and he admits he and his family are excited about the prospect.[LNB]"It's a good occasion for myself and my family," he said. "It will be a proud moment but it's more important for the team.[LNB]"You get an excitement, I wouldn't say it's nerves. People tend to get nervous about things they are not very comfortable or confident doing.[LNB]"It's a great occasion. We are not going to be footballers for all of our days so you want to make the most of these moments and play in big games. So it's an excitement.[LNB]"You remember Celtic-Rangers games because they are the two most popular teams.[LNB]"Hopefully it's a good occasion and hopefully the game is fast and flowing and it's end to end."[LNB]Rangers have won four Old Firm finals since Miller's goal gave Celtic their last triumph and McManus is keen to turn the tables.[LNB]"It's not just a case of turning on a switch and it happens," McManus said.[LNB]"I wish it was as easy as that, but it's not, it comes through a lot of hard graft.[LNB]"We are aware of it but we weren't playing for the last 20 years so there is nothing we could have done about it. Our time is now so we will see how it goes."[LNB]More recent cup history has also been disappointing for Celtic, who were knocked out of the Scottish Cup by St Mirren last Saturday.[LNB]But McManus insists the shock 1-0 defeat will have no impact on their preparation for Sunday's encounter.[LNB]"We were devastated but it's done," the centre-back said. "You come in on Monday and move on.[LNB]"You can't win everything you enter. This is the first cup final of the season and you're glad to be part of it.[LNB]"We've got the same hunger, the same desire and passion every game."[LNB][LNB]
