MANCHESTER United will travel north to Ibrox for their first competitive meeting with Glasgow Rangers, on October 22.
But what exactly can United expect from their trip to Glasgow? M.E.N. Sport's Stuart Brennan popped north of the border for Saturday's Old Firm derby to find out.
IN among the Irish tricolours, the green-and-white hoops and the occasional Che Guevara banner in the Celtic enclosure, the red and white flag stood out a mile.
`MUFC Aberdeen Reds' it read, and was further proof of the truth in the old United chant of `Reds are every flippin' where'.
Whether those fans were in the Broomloan Stand on a scouting mission for United's trip to Ibrox in a fortnight, or whether they were just enjoying the sight of the Bhoys sticking one up there old enemy, we do not know. Either way, they will have gone home happy.
Mention that you are travelling to Ibrox for an Old Firm game, and you usually elicit a sharp intake of breath from those who have been there before.
I had been told that the atmosphere would have the hairs standing up on the back of my neck that I would never have experienced anything like it.
Hate-fest
The Old Firm derby has been described as a hate-fest rather than a football match.
But, perched high in the impressive main stand, it simply didn't happen, it was no worse than your average United v Liverpool clash.
When the Celtic team bus arrived, a couple of hundred home fans gathered round to dish out half-hearted booing and sectarian insults.
But it was nothing compared to the kind of hostile reception United have become used to in Turkey, or Greece, or even Leeds.
It can be daunting, apparently. It was quite a shock to see Celtic's injured Johan Mjallby and suspended Bobo Balde - who could both pass as muscle-bound extras from Conan the Barbarian - watching the match on TV from the safety of the press room, deep in the bowels of the stadium.
They didn't fancy taking up their seats in the stand, apparently.
They were joined in their hideaway by a reporter who covers Celtic, and was recently named by a Rangers website as number two on a list of "people you are allowed to hate".
"I wouldn't mind, but they had me above Gerry Adams!" he explained.
Up above, in the stands, the vitriol was cascading down - not that the Celtic players were in the least bit fazed.
But even on the field, there was none of the helter-skelter, brutal passion we have come to expect from these games, just a light sprinkling of bookings for tackles that were more enthusiastic than nasty.
Snarling welcome
It was one of the lowest-key Old Firm games in living memory, I was assured afterwards, and regaled with tales of violence and division - which both clubs have worked hard to resign to the past.
Can United expect a snarling welcome when they head north?
"It will be close to the kind of reception Celtic normally get," says Darrell King, who watches Rangers for the Glasgow Evening Times. "There is a perceived Celtic-United connection among Rangers fans, although there have been United fans posting on Rangers websites, saying the two clubs are not as close as many Rangers fans believe."
On the evidence of Saturday's showing, the Reds have little to fear on the pitch - but only a fool would see that performance as typical of Rangers.
Tiredness cannot be used as an excuse in Old Firm games. Neither set of fans will accept such mortal limitations when it comes to a set-to with the enemy.
But if ever Rangers had an excuse, this was the time. They had arrived back in Glasgow at 5am on Thursday morning after the 1-1 draw with Panathinaikos in Athens, a game they very nearly won.
The Gers should also have important players back by the time United arrive in town - principally Italian Paolo Vanoli, experienced Dutchman Ronald de Boer and Fernando Ricksen.
United will have to be on top of their game on the night, a Rangers will relish the chance to prove themselves against the English champions.
But scared? Nah, the Reds have seen it all before.
Do you agree that the atmosphere will be nothing out the ordinary for United? Have your say.
Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
I tip my hat to Rangers for the Stuttgart result but they should have lost and the result in Greece was poor. They don't play a lot of quality teams and have to live with playing a team like Peterhead in the Scottish cup one week then a European team that won their league the year before before, a few days later. If United take four points from Rangers, that will probably be enough to qualify so McLeish knows he has to win at Ibrox. This will be a tough tactical decision for them and the crowd will be urging them to attack but United's experience should be enough. 1-0 United and a romp at OT.
I was at the game on Saturday as a Rangers fan and it was very quiet. Quite surreal I think, normally the 'Brox is bouncing but it was very subdued then. I expect that it will be a bit noisier when Utd come to visit but as you say they've seen it all before. By the way, in the event that Man U fans have something to celebrate during the match, for God's sake don't do the bouncy! According to the Glasgow Polis it's sectarian to stand up and then bounce up and down on the balls of your feet whilst waving your arms around like a drowning fisherman! Also, be very careful about carrying Union flags, half the polis here hate those as well!
Rangers will prove who is the best team in Britian, with Lovenkrands to absolutely kill Rio Ferdinand! Mikel Arteta versus Djemba Djemba, I think that says it all!
Once again Stuart Brennan writes a load of rubbish,his judgement clouded by United bias! United will face a long night at Ibrox unless they score first and should they get beat well the pressure will be on for them to qualify for the next stage,personally I think they will but they must not underestimate the team from Glasgow like they did Stuttgard otherwise they are in trouble,still theres always the EUFA cup to go for and who knows they might come up against City in the semi finals.
As an exiled Bluenose of some 45 years I would comment that this will be unique as it is the first competitive match involving these two great clubs. That in itself would ensure that the atmosphere (at both games) will be electric. Of course United "have been there before" and should be favourites. I just hope that both games are a great advert for the British game and that Rangers are still in with a chance of winning the group when they play Panathanikos at Ibrox in the final game. I am sure that any United fans travelling to Ibrox will be treated with respect and that the post match headlines will all be about the quality of the football.
Rangers, Aye Ready!