The coping strategies of Rangers pundits are already evident in the first week of pre-season as they consider the challenge up against champions Celtic next term.
The Ibrox side’s preparations for the new campaign have been thrown into chaos over the last week after it became apparent they would not be able to play at their stadium in the opening portion of the season.
Construction delays on the Copland Road stand have left them searching for alternative venues with many expecting them to end up playing ‘home’ matches at Murrayfield.
Some, such as Kris Boyd, reckon they could end up away from Glasgow into October. It adds pressure at the start of the Scottish Premiership season.
Kenny Miller, however, is apparently ‘relieved’ upon seeing the SPFL’s fixture schedule, which was released on Thursday.
Kenny Miller stretches credibility on Rangers ‘bonus’ vs Celtic
The former striker reckons it’s a ‘bonus’ for Philippe Clement’s outfit to be visiting Celtic Park so early in the season, with the match coming four fixtures in on August 31st.
He said [Daily Record]: “It wouldn’t matter to me whether I was playing at Alloa, Forfar – or the Bernabeu against Real Madrid. Every time I’d pull on a Rangers jersey, my only focus was to win
“The surroundings or the stadium were irrelevant. And it should be the same for this current squad of players now. However, that doesn’t mean I’m not worried about the prospect of Rangers being away from Ibrox for the start of this season.
“When the SPFL released the fixtures last week, I was actually relieved. Getting an Old Firm derby against Celtic just four games in is a bonus. Because it means Rangers have fewer must-win games before they go to Parkhead.
“What I’m really concerned about is points and prizes. And what it could potentially mean for Clement so early in the season. We haven’t even started yet but I’m going to say it, anyway. There is no way Rangers can go into that first Old Firm game – given their recent record against Celtic – having slipped up already in the league.”
I’m not quite sure when Miller was expecting Rangers to visit Celtic Park. Covid season aside, the first derby of the season has often come within the first four matches in recent years. This is routine, not a boost for them.
When you consider that the Ibrox delays could stretch on for months, it’s also not much of a bonus for Rangers to potentially be immediately put under pressure with a defeat to the Bhoys.
If anything, that first derby looks like a massive chance for Celtic to lay down a marker and show Clement’s side they are still the best team in Scotland. Brendan Rodgers and company won’t care a bit about their stadium woes.
Celtic will be looking to carry positive momentum through the summer with a strong transfer window and some consistent early-season results against Kilmarnock, Hibernian and St Mirren.
If that happens, the Bhoys will be red-hot favourites and by full-time on August 31st the screaming headline of “Rangers Celtic fixture BONUS” could look very foolish indeed.
