Naismith: Tiredness won't be a factor

23 October 2010 13:26
Steven Naismith insists there is no danger of fatigue being a problem for Rangers ahead of tomorrow's Old Firm derby with Celtic.[LNB] The Hoops have had a full week to recover from last week's win over Dundee United and to prepare for the visit of their Glasgow rivals in the highly-anticipated clash.[LNB]In contrast, Rangers were forced to come through a difficult Champions League game against Valencia in midweek, their third European tie of the season so far.[LNB]"On paper, you would say they are going to be much fresher with one game a week," said Naismith.[LNB]"But, with the run we're on, we have shown in the last two Champions League games we are capable of coming back and putting in good performances and getting good results.[LNB]"I don't think it will be a major factor on Sunday.[LNB]"If you are a player and you can't get up for an Old Firm game, you shouldn't really be playing football.[LNB]"We have shown in the games after the European competition that we do go to the final whistle and we will definitely be up for this game."[LNB]Despite their European commitments, Rangers - like Celtic - have yet to drop a single point in the SPL and Naismith's view were echoed by boss Walter Smith.[LNB]"I don't think there will be any problems in terms of motivation," he said.[LNB]"I always say it is more mental than physical, the tiredness aspect of it. Both teams will be confident."[LNB]Smith's 5-4-1 formation again proved to be a hit in the Champions League, with Rangers unfortunate not to claim all three points against Valencia, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.[LNB]The system also garnered a point against Manchester United at Old Trafford and a win over Turkish champions Bursaspor at Ibrox, but Smith says he is unlikely to use a similar approach against Celtic.[LNB]"It's not a system that we have used in a domestic sense before so I don't think we will set up in that fashion on Sunday," he said.[LNB]"We don't play in domestic games the way we play in Champions League games, we play in a totally different manner, one of the difficulties is getting the balance.[LNB]"The change is sometimes difficult to make. At times we have gone to Celtic Park and set up in a slightly more defensive fashion but nothing like we do in the Champions League.[LNB]"With the way both teams have started the season, we look to go there and do as well as we can and hope to win the match. Celtic being at home, they will do exactly the same."[LNB]Celtic will have more Old Firm debutants than Rangers this weekend and Naismith has told them nothing will prepare them for the experience.[LNB]"It's a unique game, definitely," he said. "There are not many other experiences like it.[LNB]"We are happy with the amount of boys who have been involved and know what it's about to win and lose Old Firm games and they will definitely have a hunger for Sunday.[LNB]"People have asked me in the past what playing in an Old Firm game is like and you can't really explain it.[LNB]"There have been top players who have played in Old Firm games and gone on to play in other massive derbies and they say there is nothing like it."

Source: Team_Talk