Rangers star expects 'different' game at Celtic Park but claims one thing will stay the same from Ibrox rout
Light Blues defeated their rivals 3-0 at Ibrox in the League Cup on Sunday and are now gearing up for league fixture at Celtic Park
Rangers’ Old Firm hero James Penrice is expecting a ‘different’ game on Sunday against Celtic at their home patch - but claims his side will be going to Parkhead with exact same mindset they did for last week’s 3-0 rout.
The left back turned into a central midfielder halfway through the match in a tactical switch up from manager Derek McInnes which worked a treat on the day. After a dream first Ibrox experience of the fixture for Penrice, he’ll now have an instant opportunity this Sunday to see what it’s like playing at Celtic Park, where he isn’t expecting the same treatment from the fans.
Just like at Ibrox on Sunday, no away fans will be present at Parkhead this weekend, giving the hosts a huge advantage. However, one aspect of the fixture which could work in Rangers’ favour is that they have more resting time, with Celtic in Europa League action against Ferencvaros at the same venue on Thursday night.
Penrice on ‘different’ Parkhead test
Speaking at an event for the Rangers Charity Foundation via the Daily Record, Penrice said: “From our players' point of view, we don't go there and worry about fans. We think the game will be different. They'll probably change stuff, we'll probably change stuff.
“It'll be a different game, but we'll go there with the mindset that we're going to win, and that's what you need to do as a Rangers player. You need to go to these places and win. Look, I think they'd have probably said the same coming here on Sunday, ‘try and get the fans turned, obviously keep it quiet. But we've got to use that to our advantage going there on Sunday. We are going there to win, we need to use anything we can to our advantage.”
Gers going to Parkhead to win
He continued: “I definitely think we've got more gears to go, but at the same time I'm very wary that it's one game at a time. There's evidence that it's a lot better, but let's not get too far in front of ourselves. Next Sunday's massive, and ultimately we need to go there and win the game, so we'll be looking to do that.
“But definitely it feels like a real team, and that's probably the biggest compliment I can give the boys, and for the manager as well, as we've created that from a difficult position. We've managed to turn it - but it's not fully turned yet, we've still got a lot of work to do, and it's definitely one game at a time.”
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