Former hoops striker John Hartson has sent a message to the Celtic squad heading to Ibrox after poor performances and results in their recent outings against Kilmarnock and St Johnstone.
Urging the players to seize the moment, Hartson’s focus ahead of this weekend’s derby was squarely on the squad, not on manager Brendan Rodgers.
Hartson took to social media with a video message, saying, “This weekend, what a great opportunity to put it right at Ibrox. It will be intense, it will be fast. Players’ mentality—get it right this weekend. Do the right thing, get on board, take responsibility.”
What an opportunity for Celtic to put the last 2 games behind them. This weekend at ibrox..bravery character good luck. https://t.co/Kt7qZAEB3g
— John Hartson (@JohnHartson10) August 28, 2023
With Rodgers already under scrutiny for recent setbacks and an uncertain transfer policy, the stakes for Celtic in the upcoming derby couldn’t be higher. A win at Ibrox would not only boost morale but also put Celtic four points clear of the Rangers, who themselves are bracing for a challenging Champions League play-off against PSV.
But as Hartson emphasised, the onus is on the players. “Never mind Brendan Rodgers. Brendan can set them up put the team out; he can do the formation. The players. The players have to go and play.”
The former striker, who has experienced the fervour of an Old Firm match firsthand, is all too aware that in games like these, managerial tactics can only go so far. It’s up to the players to step up and deliver when it matters most.
As Rangers potentially face tired legs following their midweek European exploits, the Celtic players have an additional incentive to heed Hartson’s words and seize this opportunity. It’s a moment that could potentially define their season, building an early lead in the table.
