Mark Warburton’s Ibrox side Glasgow Rangers visit Celtic on Saturday.
Celtic icon Henrik Larsson has told The Glasgow Evening Times that the atmosphere during Old Firm battles with Rangers is simply “phenomenal”.
The bitter cross-city rivals renew hostilities at Celtic Park on Saturday as both sides square off for their first league meeting in over four years.
Parkhead will be hopping regardless, but the encounter perhaps takes on extra significance given the fact that Mark Warburton’s Rangers can usurp Celtic – who have played one game less – at the summit of the Premiership if they win.
Despite the Gers’ four-year absence from the big time, it is just like old times, and Larsson, who also experienced El Clasico clashes during his time with Barcelona, says that nothing quite compares to the occasion of a Celtic – Rangers meeting.
“For one thing, Barcelona and Madrid are two different cities. On Glasgow, the distance between the two clubs is nothing. It is a proper derby in Glasgow,” he told The GET.
“There was a different culture in Spain too; supporters do not really travel to away games whereas at Celtic Park or Ibrox the atmosphere was created by two opposing sets of fans. So for me, the Celtic v Rangers game is the biggest of them all.
“It is phenomenal. What they have in common is that they both carry a meaning outside of football but for me I always had to keep my focus only on the sporting side of things. All that ever mattered to me was winning. It is all that ever matters.”
Celtic are big favourites to win, but few would rule out the Gers; especially given how Warburton’s side beat the Hoops in the Scottish Cup semi-final last term, though it was under Ronny Deila.
Nevertheless, the result, and particularly the performance, illustrated that there is very little between both sides, and Rangers will hope to prove that again this weekend.
Celtic Juventus 2001 Chris Sutton
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
