Barry Ferguson has stated he would have gone about things in a ‘different’ manner than Danny Rohl after his comments about Celtic’s team ahead of the Glasgow derby on Sunday.
Following Celtic’s trip to Stuttgart on Thursday night in the Europa League, the Rangers boss spoke about how Martin O’Neill’s side were ‘not trying to win this game, 2-0, 3-0’ after going 1-0 up, and then losing 4-2 on aggregate.Rohl also stated it will be ‘interesting’ to see who starts in between the goals for Celtic, but Ferguson thinks the man in the Ibrox dugout should ‘respect’ those in green and white because you are in for ‘one almighty fall’ if things go wrong.
“Every time I came up against Celtic, you have to respect your opponent,” Ferguson told Go Radio.
“That’s just the way I was brought up, and I always did it. I think if you go in and don’t respect your opponent, then you are in for one almighty fall.”This was already going to be a mouthwatering Glasgow derby, with the loser possibly dropping out of a three-way title race, but these words from Rohl have just added extra spice to proceedings.Barry Ferguson weighs in on a war-of-words before Celtic’s showdown at Rangers
O’Neill did express his ‘surprise’ at Rohl’s comments, as the build-up the Sunday game just became even more interesting.Only last season, Ferguson was coming up against this very Celtic side, so he understands the pressures and difficulties of preparing for this fixture.
The former midfielder explained that Rohl is throwing a ‘grenade’ into proceedings, but he still feels the champions of Scotland are a ‘dangerous’ side.
“He is just throwing a wee grenade in there and trying to make it explode a little bit,” said Ferguson. “But listen, he has his opinion.“Was I surprised that Kasper Schmeichel didn’t start against Stuttgart? No, I wasn’t, because of his form over the last number of weeks. He is just giving his honest opinion. When you are asked those questions, I have been in that position before, and sometimes, I think you are better off answering honestly, and that’s what he has done.
“I would have kind of gone about it in a different way. At the end of the day, whatever happens at Celtic, it’s not really my business. I have to concentrate on your own team. Everyone has a different way of approaching and answering things.
“Every time I came up against Celtic, you have to respect your opponent. That’s just the way I was brought up, and I always did it. I think if you go in and don’t respect your opponent, then you are in for one almighty fall.
“I was asked the question about Celtic. Yeah, Celtic had a poor result against Hibs. They are still dangerous. I still think Celtic have got very good players, and what I do know is that they have a manager who knows his way in football.”Hearts and Motherwell watching on…
Usually, in these circumstances, it’s all about Celtic and Rangers going at each other’s throats, whilst everyone watches on.
But Hearts are leading the charge, and the Jambos will face Aberdeen during the 3 pm kick-off on Saturday, as this result will have a bearing on what happens with the Glasgow duo.
This is probably where Hearts can watch on with a beer in hand, that’s if they do their job, because any type of result at Ibrox suits them.
But don’t forget about Motherwell, either; the fourth-placed side are deemed outside title contenders, and they host Dundee United at the same time as Hearts.