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‘Pressure is on’ – Ibrox icon gives verdict on looming Ibrox Old Firm clash

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
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Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images

Rangers icon Barry Ferguson is no stranger to Old Firm games, having represented the Light Blues against their bitter rivals on 39 occasions – and the former Ibrox skipper is expecting a “ding-dong” battle between the two in Sunday’s Scottish Cup clash.

Ferguson has been impressed with how Celtic have turned things around in recent weeks under interim boss John Kennedy, with the Parkhead side going six games unbeaten and thrashing Livingston at the weekend.

With Rangers having romped to the title with a 20-point lead, the former Scotland international believes all the pressure is on his old side to book their place in next weekend’s quarter-finals and set up a clash with St. Johnstone or Clyde.

However, despite thinking the pressure is on the Light Blues, Ferguson is confident Rangers have shown time and again this season they can handle it as they welcome the Bhoys to Ibrox for the second time this season.

“I just love Old Firm games. I think it’s going to be a proper game. It’s a knock-out, a ding-dong,” Ferguson told the Go Radio Football Show.

“Rangers are going for the double and they’re in unbelievable form this season.

“Celtic have picked up over the last couple of weeks. I thought they were excellent on Saturday, that’s the best I’ve seen them in a long time.

So, they’ve got a bit of confidence and they know this is the last competition they can win this season.

“I believe Celtic are going to come and go at Rangers and I believe Rangers are going to come out the traps and go for Celtic.

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Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

“So, I’m expecting goals and a real feisty encounter, so I can’t wait.

“I think the pressure is on Rangers, I do. With the season they’ve had, they’ve been unbeaten and they’ve won the league, very easily, 20 points clear, which has surprised a lot of people.

“I think there’s pressure on Rangers but one thing I think about this Rangers squad and management team, they’ve handled the pressure well this season.”

In other news, Rangers fans were loving it last night as Arsenal thrashed Slavia Prague in the Europa League