Source: FOOTYMAD
Just Another Derby Game
Big issues face both managers but the Old Firm derby will be their focus today Steven Naismith insists every single Rangers player will be working to win today's derby for themselves - not for Walter Smith, who will be leaving the club at the end of the season. And the midfielder believes Smith would not have it any other way as he prepares for what will be his final taste of the famous fixture. Smith will be in the dugout against Celtic for the last time before making way for his assistant, Ally McCoist, to take over at the end of the season. Naismith does not expects the lead up to the game to be any different because of who will or will not be in charge next season. He said: "It will be like any other game. The manager and coaching staff don't really let us get into that way of thinking. They drill into us that it's about the squad and for ourselves. I think it played a big part in the cup final, the way the manager didn't let the fact it was his last game at Hampden get into the dressing room. I'm sure this game will be same and the manager will be drilling into us that it's about us and not about him.'' Rangers have yet to record a win over Celtic at Ibrox this season - a statistic that will count for nothing, according to Naismith. He said: "I think it's down to who is more up for it on the day and who wants it more. If you look back over the last few seasons, the team that has been the underdog has come out and won that specific game. Both teams are strong and it will be down to who wants it more on the day. Both teams will be right up for it as they will see it as going a long way to winning the title.'' Celtic manager Neil Lennon will turn his attention to the derby at Ibrox after the worst week of his managerial career. There has been widespread condemnation of the threats sent to Lennon, Paul McBride QC and Labour politician Trish Godman in recent weeks. Lennon admitted he could reconsider his position if the situation were to escalate. Celtic players responded to their manager's troubles with a 4-0 win over Kilmarnock on Wednesday night and Lennon hopes that the focus remains firmly on the football against Rangers. He said: "It has been my most difficult week but my team have been doing my talking for me. My team are in great form, as are Rangers and it has all the ingredients for a fantastic game. Really we should be talking about that rather than anything else but I know it's difficult to talk about anything else other than what has gone on this week. But I don't think the players need any extra motivation or need any extra determination, I think they have it in abundance.''
