NafisaThe discussion about whether Celtic should receive a guard of honour from Rangers at Ibrox has been a major focus in the news this week.
In reality, few Celtic fans will be concerned about whether it happens, but many Rangers supporters will care deeply.
Celtic’s trophy supremacy over the past two decades has caused significant distress at Rangers, but a guard of honour at Ibrox when Brendan Rodgers has made the Parkhead club Scotland’s most accomplished football team—that seems unlikely, doesn’t it?
The last time Rangers claimed the league, this topic surfaced, and what current interim manager Barry Ferguson said back then about his team receiving a guard of honour offers insight into how this might unfold on Sunday.
Barry Ferguson ‘very much’ doubted Celtic would offer guard of honour:
The COVID title is the only one Rangers have secured in the last 14 years. Before that, Celtic had won nine titles consecutively, and there was no mention of guards of honour then.
But when the Ibrox club finally clinched a league, this discussion oddly emerged, and what Ferguson said at the time suggests what will happen in this Sunday’s Glasgow Derby.
Speaking to the Go Radio Football Show, Ferguson said, “Listen this is kind of a new thing doing the guard of honour, it’s different up here remember.
“I’m sure when it’s all done and if Rangers do win it, I’m sure Celtic will admit Rangers were the better team.
“Previously when Celtic have won leagues, certainly in my time, you have to be the better man and say ‘look, Celtic were better than us this season’.
“So, in terms of having a guard of honour, I very much doubt it will happen but it’s something that doesn’t concern me and I’m sure it won’t concern anyone at both clubs.”
Should Rangers give Celtic a guard of honour?
In a word, no. Not due to the friction it might create but, as noted earlier, Celtic fans aren’t particularly bothered.
The visiting Parkhead supporters will travel to Ibrox this Sunday lunchtime to revel once more as champions inside Ibrox, and that will sting the Rangers fans more than any guard of honour could.
Celtic have grander ambitions with a potential treble at stake. A victory at Ibrox will simply be the cherry on top.
As for the guard of honour, Rangers can hold onto that, and Celtic will retain the trophies.
Nafisa
