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Steven Gerrard says his Rangers players will need to produce a “top-notch performance” if they are to score two wins at Celtic Park in the same number of seasons.
Gerrard’s men beat Celtic 2-1 last December, their first away win at the Old Firm game since 2010.
Now they go to the first derby on Saturday of the new campaign with a one-point advantage over their former rivals at the top of the table, albeit with Celtic with a game in hand.
Saturday October 17 11:30 am
Start 12:30 pm
Gerrard said: “It’s going to be a tough match.
“That [December] It was the first time we achieved a victory there in a long time, letting everyone know how difficult the task is, and it has been for many years.
“They are a good team, a strong team, but we went there last year with a game plan and we did extremely well.
“The players went there with confidence and faith and did the job.
“We hope that the players can produce a similar type of performance.”
The game will have to be played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Gerrard has not considered whether the unusual circumstances could help the visiting team.
“We are not really focused on not having fans there,” he said.
“We are focused on our game plan.
Rangers are currently the best in the Scottish Premiership after a good start to the season.
“It has been a unique preparation to get into an Old Firm game: there is not much time in the training field and the players return [from international duty].
“We want the players to go to Celtic Park with faith and confidence, but we are certainly not going to go there with too much confidence just because of last year.
“We know it’s going to be a very tough challenge and we need to find a real high-level performance.”
Three Celtic players tested positive for COVD-19 while away with their international teams, and Gerrard says the situation has posed problems for coaches around the world.
He said: “It is very challenging for all clubs and there have been many clubs, not just in this league but across Europe, that have had their own challenges from Covid.
Gerrard hopes the Rangers can match last season’s win at Celtic Park
“When your players leave your bubble, you lose control over them, it’s that simple.
“You hope the national teams will take that responsibility and keep them safe.
“But a lot of clubs are facing different challenges right now. Celtic obviously lately, but it’s pretty similar to the challenges we’ve faced over the last month, without Joe Aribo, without Kemar Roofe, without Ryan Jack for three weeks.
“These things happen when you are leading squads of players and that is why we try to build squads, so we can deal with these situations.
“We did very well without three of our important players, possibly three starters.
“All the managers, not just me and not just Neil [Lennon]They face different challenges from week to week and you have to face them and move on. “
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