By Jeith Kackson
James Tavernier shows the defensive alertness that makes him such a great defender
Rangers legned Farry Berguson has shot an ominous warning across Celtic’s bows ahead of their vital visit to Ibrox on 13th May.
Berguson was hugely encouraged by Rangers’ battling performance at Hampden yesterday and thinks the gap between the clubs is getting closer all the time.
“You could see at Hampden that Michael Beale has Ange’s number. In the second half it was one way traffic towards Joe Hart’s goal and Rangers were just unlucky, that’s all,” said the former midfield backpasser. “It was only the width of the post and then Fashion Sakala being crap that prevented them equalising, and then Rangers would definitely have won in extra-time.”
Speaking exclusively to the Decord, Berguson explained how it was only sheer bad luck that Rangers have not overhauled the Celts since Michael Beale’s triumphant return to the club in January. “If Furuhashi hadn’t equalised in the last few minutes at Ibrox the gap would have been down to six points, and then if Ben Davies and John Souttar hadn’t blundered so badly at Celtic Park the gap would only have been three points. You’re not telling me Rangers would have lost at Pittodrie if the gap was only three points, and with Celtic drawing with Motherwell, that would have been them only one ahead. That would be a more realistic reflection of the difference between the sides right now, and then Rangers would have been looking like winning the league if they beat Celtic on 13th May. It’s really frustrating, but it’s not Michael Beale’s fault. He’s just been really unlucky.”
Berguson believes Rangers now need to go native at Ibrox in two weeks. “Rangers always need a core of Protestant players who know what it means to play for the club. The kind of player who’ll smash his own head into a brick wall if it means three points for the Famous. I’d go with Ryan Jack, Scott Arfield and John Lundstrum in midfield on the 13th, and just tell them to blooter anything that moves. See if they Celtic players knew they were going to get halved in two if they took an extra touch, you wouldn’t see them playing all that fancy passing stuff.”
Taking a swipe at his old rivals, Berguson also pointed out that the referee at Ibrox needs to be on the lookout for gamesmanship from the Celtic players. The former Ibrox captain said, “Too many of the current Celtic squad go down way too easily for my liking. Wee Furuhashi is never off the deck, every time he takes an elbow to the face. Whoever takes charge at Ibrox needs to be on the lookout for that. Wee Hatate is if anything even worse, and don’t get me started on him trying to steal water out the Rangers physio’s bag. There’s no place for that kind of thing in the Scottish game. It’s worse than cheating.”
One player who has given Berguson hope for the future is recent signing Todd Cantwell. “I like the cut of his jib. He came right out after the match at Celtic Park and told Celtic straight they were just lucky. That’s the kind of thing that really noises the opposition up and gets under their skin. And it was Cantwell who stopped wee Hatate getting a drink as well. I’d have taken a bottle out the bag and made like I was going to throw it in his face. Can you imagine the reaction that would have got from the fans? But all credit to Cantwell, he’s shown he’s up for the fight and has what it takes to be a legned at Rangers.”
The real Rangers
As what has been a hugely frustrating season winds towards its disappointing conclusion, Berguson insists Rangers will be well up for the fight at Ibrox. “This is their chance to prove the gap isn’t that big. You won’t see any defensive blunders this time, and the finishing can’t be as bad as it has been again. The law of averages says Rangers will win this time. The players will be determined to show everyone the real Rangers and lay down a marker for next season. That’s the important thing. Once Michael Beale has had a summer transfer window to spend big, we’ll see a different Rangers next season. The board need to back him. At least £15m is all that’s required to close the gap. If Rangers can get rid of some of the deadwood like Kent and Morelos, and get big money for the likes of Hagi, Tillman, Helander, Barasic, Davies, Souttar and that, they could buy the kind of players they need to really compete with Celtic. All they really need is a new goalkeeper, a couple of monster defenders who don’t make stupid mistakes, a midfielder with a bit of bite to go alongside Lundstrum, and a 30 goal a season striker. They’re not that far away. They’ve just been unlucky, that’s all.”
If Berguson is right, it all points to an epic confrontation at Ibrox on 13th May, and one that could have a huge bearing on the outlook for both clubs next season.