Deila hoping Hoops can dominate
Ronny Deila is looking for Celtic to hold their own in the frantic early stages of Sunday's Scottish League Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden Park before showing their football prowess.
It is the first meeting between the two Glasgow rivals in almost three years, since the Ibrox club re-emerged in the bottom tier of Scottish football following their descent into administration and liquidation and tensions are running high.
The Hoops boss admitted his first Old Firm game is the biggest in his career so far and having previously watched it on television, he expects it to have a typically feisty start.
However, Deila, who only has midfielder Charlie Mulgrew missing from his squad with a knee injury, is looking for his players to come out on top against the Championship side who are unarguably inferior in quality, before playing their football.
"Every game against Rangers has been physical and we have to be up for that," said the Norwegian.
"Especially at the start of the game, there is going to be a lot of emotion and energy but it will settle down and then we have to show the quality.
"We have to take the fight to them, show them who is dominant on the pitch and then we have to play."
Deila played down expectations of an easy win among some Celtic fans, saying: "Anything can happen in the cup."
However, although he was keen to highlight the relative financial strength of Rangers in terms of their playing budget, saying it is the "second biggest in Scotland" he concedes they are not the second best team in the land.
"There are five or six teams they would be among," he said. "I would not say they are the second best team.
"We have confidence because we have had a lot of good results and performances lately.
"But we have to treat every opponent with respect and as I said, anything can happen in the cup."
For Deila's assistant, John Collins, the game cannot come quickly enough.
The former Hoops midfielder told CelticTV: "We know it is going to be a challenge but these are the games that we all dream about, where you are playing in big games and full stadiums.
"When you walk out of that tunnel at Hampden, it's a great feeling and that's why we come to work every day - to get better and to win things."
Former Rangers favourite Jorg Albertz claims a Light Blues victory over Celtic would be just as big a shock as Germany's stunning 7-1 thrashing of Brazil.
The retired Ibrox midfielder watched with disbelief as his compatriots turned over the hosts at last summer's World Cup to claim a place in the final.
And the man nicknamed the 'Hammer' likened that result to the Gers potentially nailing their Old Firm rivals in this weekend's QTS Scottish League Cup semi-final at Hampden.
But Albertz insists Ronny Deila's team should not write off Rangers, even if they are playing a division above the Light Blues.
He said: "Of course Rangers have a chance. Every game needs to be played. You can't call the game before the 90 minutes.
"So many times we have seen the favourites fall away and lose games.
"Everyone saw the result when Brazil played Germany at the World Cup. No-one saw Germany winning 7-1. But that is football. Anything can happen. So why can't Rangers win on Sunday?
"The 90 minutes will be played on Sunday and the boys can only do what they can do and that's to give their best. Only then will we see who will win the game."
Albertz made himself an iconic figure for disciples of Glasgow's blue half with a string of important Old Firm goals.
His first strike - a fiercely-hit free-kick clocked at 79mph - sparked wild celebrations at Ibrox back in January 1997 as Walter Smith's side closed in on Nine-in-a-Row.
Now the former Germany international hopes to see the Rangers faithful raise the roof once again on Sunday.
He said: "Everybody knows my favourite Old Firm memory is my first goal against Celtic, the free-kick at Ibrox.
"That was a great day and I hope the current guys can experience something like that.
"It doesn't matter who is on the sidelines managing the side. Every player knows about the Old Firm - you have to go out and do your best."
Source: PA
