John Fallon's rallying call for Ibrox

John Fallon played in plenty of games against Rangers, including the fantastic 4-0 Scottish Cup Final win of 1969.

Only those that have been in the inside, in the dressing room, know the tensions, fears and emotions required to come out on top in these fixtures.

John's video preview lays it on the line about what's required from the Bhoys tomorrow to earn three precious points.

Great goals against Rangers from the past... and Robsongate

Robsongate and Rangers preview.

What a strange old week.

To no one's surprise four Rangers players were unable to make Scotland duty, patriotic Gers boss Walter Smith will know the problems of being an international manager better than most.

Added to the injured list was Barry Robson... or was he?

The days leading up to a Celtic-Rangers game are rarely dull but the twists of Robsongate have been unusual.

On recent form I can't see Celtic getting the result that we want but Rangers seem to be just as bad so there is hope.

Enjoy this VIDEO PREVIEW including some memorable goals against Rangers from the hoops of yesteryear.

John Cushley remembered by former team-mate John Fallon

Tragically on Monday former Celt John Cushley, at the age of 65, lost his battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

John Fallon was at Celtic throughout Cushley's time at the club and remembers his former team-mate and near neighbour from Blantyre.

Whenever you see pictures of the Celtic squad celebrating the 1967 European Cup victory you will see John Cushley celebrating with the squad.

CLICK HERE for a short video of John Fallon recalling some memories of John Cushley.

New date set for Motherwell away, Sunday April 13

The three times postponed game with Motherwell has been re-scheduled for Sunday April 13... at Fir Park.

 

After the most recent postponement on March 15 Motherwell owener John Boyle said that urgent remedial work was needed on the pitch which would put it out of action for a month.

 

Celtic's fixture with Gretna on Sunday was moved from Fir Park to Livingston but the SPL have re-scheduled another trip back to Fir Park on April 13.

 

Naturally the game will be shown on Setanta (kick-off 2.00pm) but surely Saturday April 12 could have been used giving Celtic an extra day to prepare for the re-arranged Rangers game on Wednesday April 16.

 

With the SPL race so tight an extra 24 hours preparation could make a difference, every little bit helps... or hinders.

It's Stuart Dougal in charge on Saturday

The SFA have apppointed Stuart Dougal to be in charge of Saturday's game at Ibrox.

 

His most famous/infamous appearance in this fixture was in August 2006 when Alan Thompson was sent off in a 3-1 win for Rangers.

 

After the game came the real aggro with Neil Lennon shown a red-card after squaring up to Dougal and a linesman.

 

Lennon was almost thrown out of Scottish football after trial by 'meeja' but after an appeal to the SFA backed by SPFA rep Fraser Wishart the ban was reduced to two games.

 

Dougal, who had a legal representative at the appeal, was far from happy running off to the newspapers about the injustice of it all.

 

Whoever was appointed was going to be under scrutiny. Last time at Ibrox Celtic had nine players booked whilst amazingly Rangers haven't had a single booking in their last five SPL fixtures.

 

The eyes of the Celtic support will be closely on Dougal on Saturday but other than that performance at Ibrox two years ago I don't think that there has been too many issues with him in these fixtures.

Mizuno injury scare as Celts crush Gretna 5-0

New signing Koki Mizuno left Airdrie on crutches today after injuring his ankle in the reserves 5-0 win over Gretna.

The midfielder over stretched for a ball on the half-way line after 35 minutes and after a couple of minutes of treatment was replaced by Nicky Riley.

Celtic were already leading 4-0 at that point with Mizuno playing a part in the first goal for Derek Riordan and the fourth from Kevin Cawley.

Riordan also scored in the 14th minute with Mark Millar also on target in the first half before Chris Killen completed the scoring in the second half.

Joe Doumbe and Mark Wilson also featured with Wilson getting a good run out at left back in the second half although barely tested defensively.

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO REPORT.

Celtic: Fox; Caddis, O'Carroll, Wilson, Doumbe (Ross 46); Mizuno (Riley 38) Millar, McGlinchey, Riordan; Cawley, Killen. SUBS Marshall,Towell, Lafferty, Santonocito, Bunting

Uninspiring and underwhelming against Gretna... and that's not just this video!

At this stage of the season any win should be welcomed but there was little to enthuse over or get excited about in the 3-0 win over Gretna.

All three strikers scored, Scott McDonald, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras but that was about as good as it gets.

Another central midfield pairing was tried, Scott Brown and Barry Robson, but like the previous combinations they did little in the way of presenting an attacking threat to back up Shunsuke Nakamura.

The need to have midfielders bursting into the box is so obvious as teams double up on our wide players and concentrate on clearing the crosses into the box.

A Plan B would be fantastic.

VIDEO REPORT on the Gretna match