NafisaThe Old Firm rivalry is rarely confined to what happens on the pitch.
For decades, players have crossed paths with both sides of Glasgow’s divide, while supporters have developed strong opinions about which half of the city represents the right place to be.
That rivalry will be particularly interesting to watch this season given the latest movement between England and Scotland.
Celtic have been looking to strengthen their squad under Martin O’Neill, while Rangers continue to build under Derek McInnes, with both clubs determined to establish themselves domestically.
And as Celtic prepare for another demanding Premiership campaign, one of their latest additions has already found himself at the centre of an amusing Old Firm comparison.
Shim Mheuka is one of the most highly-rated young forwards at Chelsea, with the Premier League giants handing the teenager a long-term contract extension before sending him north to gain valuable first-team experience.
The move to Celtic represents a major opportunity for Mheuka.
He has already made an impression during his early appearances, including a cameo in Saturday’s victory over St Mirren when he thought he had found the net before the effort was ruled out.
But there was another factor behind his decision to head to Glasgow — and it involved someone who knows the city extremely well.
Mheuka has revealed that close friend Mikey Moore played a role in helping him make the move, despite the pair having very different ideas about which side of Glasgow is the right one.
Moore spent time on loan at Rangers last season after developing alongside Mheuka in the England youth setup.
Naturally, that has created a rather entertaining disagreement between the two friends.
What former Rangers star advised star on moving to Celtic?
Mheuka explained that he had followed Moore’s experience in Scotland closely and spoke to him before deciding to join Celtic.
The former Rangers loanee apparently had plenty of positive things to say about Glasgow, even if he could not resist trying to convince his friend that he had chosen the wrong side of the city.
Mheuka said: “I’ve been part of the England squads with Mikey so I watched his games from last year. He’s a good friend of mine, I spoke to him before I came here. He told me it’s a beautiful city and I’d really enjoy it.
“It’s more about what’s best for me than what Mikey has done, and what was the best next step in my development. But it helped that he is a good mate and did well here. Mikey told me I was on the wrong side of Glasgow, but I told him, ‘No I’m on the right side of the city!’
The exchange perhaps says plenty about the friendship between the pair, but Mheuka was keen to stress that his decision was ultimately based on his own development rather than Moore’s experience.
His family also played an important role in helping him reach the decision, particularly his father, who has experience of professional football himself.
“Dad’s been there for me all my life, along with my mum and my brother. It helps having a father who has played the game, and so understands the different elements of what to expect and what not to expect. I wouldn’t be here without him. Dad’s my best supporter and also my harshest critic. He’s always in the back of my mind when I’m playing and I think about what he’s thinking.
“He’s been such an amazing influence in my life. I’ve seen a few clips of him playing back in Zimbabwe and read about him in the papers. Dad was a decent player. He played in midfield, either as a number eight or number 10, but he had similar kinds of abilities to me.
Why has Shim Mheuka joined Celtic?
Ultimately, Mheuka believes Celtic offers the perfect environment for him to continue developing away from Chelsea.
The teenager has been impressed by the club’s footballing identity, the size and passion of the support and the opportunity to work under a manager with O’Neill’s experience.
“He was powerful and good on the ball. My family all played a part in my decision to come here, but my dad spoke to me about the manager. Everyone in football knows about him. He’s an amazing character who has done fantastic things in the game.
“He’s been in the game a long while so I can learn valuable lessons from him, not just in football but in life as well. The appeal of Celtic was everything, from the way they play football, to the fan base and the league itself. This club is the perfect step in my development and to take me to the next level.
“I heard about their interest throughout the window. There are clubs who show interest in you. But it’s about talking to those close to you and who have your best interests at heart, whether it’s at Chelsea or friends and family, to make the best decision.”
Mheuka now has the chance to turn that decision into a major breakthrough in his career.
The early signs have been encouraging, with Celtic giving him opportunities to make an impact from the bench as he adapts to Scottish football.
And while Moore may continue insisting that his friend chose the wrong side of Glasgow, Mheuka has already made his position very clear.
For now, the Chelsea youngster is firmly on the Celtic side of the Old Firm divide — and determined to prove that it really is the right one for his development.
Nafisa
