Wylde expects final-day decider

25 April 2011 16:30

Rangers youngster Gregg Wylde has predicted a final day climax for the race to be crowned Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions.

Sunday's goalless draw in the final Old Firm derby of the season means both sides still have all to play for, albeit the advantage has now edged in Celtic's favour. Rangers remain a point ahead at the summit but the Hoops' game in hand against Inverness means they know that victory in all their remaining fixtures will guarantee the silverware heading for Parkhead.

But Wylde says the championship is far from over and he believes the battle for honours will go right down to the wire, and said: "We've still got four games to play and Celtic have a game in hand. It will be hard but I still think it will go down to the last game of the season."

He added: "There are mixed emotions because Celtic have a game in hand now but I thought we played well. I thought we dominated throughout the game but it ended in a draw.

"Celtic have a wee edge but we still have a point at the top so hopefully we can nick it.

"They've still got to play Inverness away. We've got Motherwell next Saturday and that will be tough for us. But I think it will go down to the last game."

Asked if Celtic were now clear favourites for the title, Wylde replied: "Not at the moment, no. We've got a chance and so have they."

Wylde was recalled to the side for the visit of Celtic ahead of fellow youngster Kyle Hutton as Walter Smith named the same outfield team who defeated their rivals in last month's Co-operative Insurance Cup final, with Allan McGregor given the nod ahead of Neil Alexander between the sticks.

The goalkeeper proved to have a vital role to play when he saved a Georgios Samaras penalty with seven minutes to go to ensure the match finished all square, but Wylde thought he had set up the winner earlier in the game when he provided a great ball for Kyle Lafferty only for the striker to nod just off target.

The 20-year-old said: "I got the ball and put it in the box and I though Lafferty had scored but he missed it. We had a few chances, Steven Naismith had chances as well, but we didn't take those chances. We settle for a draw and that's that."

Source: PA