UEFA’ latest decision regarding Ibrox should be a reason for concern for Celtic as well heading into next Sunday’s Glasgow Derby.
Heading into the Glasgow Derby, it is safe to say that Celtic are the favourites. Although the game will be played at Ibrox, the Rangers’ form coming into the game suggests that they will be there for the taking.
Since returning from the winter break, Steven Gerrard’s side have lost four and drawn two of their 13 games. As a result, they find themselves 13 points behind the Hoops in the league table and out of the Scottish Cup, after suffering a humiliating 1-0 defeat against struggling Hearts. And one can’t help but feel that Gerrard is walking on a tightrope at the moment.
The Glasgow Derby might turn out to be a tight affair though with Gerrard’s men having already shown earlier this season that they are more than capable of hanging with Celtic. It would be a huge mistake to consider the result to be a foregone conclusion.
One advantage that Celtic will have over Rangers though is that they do not have a midweek clash. While Steven Gerrard’s side will have to face Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 of the Europa League, the Hoops will come into next Sunday’s Derby fresh off of a week’s rest.
They should be concerned about UEFA’s decision regarding the Rangers vs Bayer Leverkusen game to be held at Ibrox.
According to UEFA regulations, the away team is allowed to practice on the pitch that the game is scheduled to be played on a day before the game. But as reported by the Daily Record, Bayer will not be allowed to train on the Ibrox pitch as there are fears that it could damage the Ibrox pitch. And while the Rangers should hang their head in shame, it is a scary situation for Celtic as well.
The Europa League game will take place on Thursday and then on Sunday, there is an early kick-off for the Derby. What condition will the pitch be in then, just two days after an European night with weather forecasts also predicting that there could be rain leading up to as well as on Sunday.
Well, the only positive we can take from the situation is the fact that UEFA have not allowed Bayer Leverkusen to train on that pitch on Wednesday and leave it in even worse condition than it is in already.