CELTIC veteran Pat Bonner has admitted he has nothing to offer Craig Gordon before tomorrow’s Hampden showdown.
The 32-year-old comeback keeper is poised to play in his first Glasgow derby match against the Ibrox side.
And Bonner said: “I wouldn’t have a single word of advice for Craig. He is a very experienced goalkeeper.
“He has played in the Premiership, he has played at the top international level and he is will know exactly what is going on in this game.
“He wouldn’t need an old-timer like me offering him anything at all.
“I am sure that he will be able to handle whatever comes his way.
“He is quite a relaxed guy and he will take it in his stride, I think.
“I will say that I have been very impressed with the way he has seamlessly moved into the Celtic team this season.
“He looks like he has been there for years and for a guy who was out of the game with injuries for so long that says a lot.
“He is a fit guy, agile and strong and for a big lad he never seems to carry any weight at all.”
Bonner, 54, looked at the first meeting between the sides in almost three years and added: “It is a derby game, a game between Celtic and Rangers* and when the teams line up it will be like every game that has gone before involving them.
“The passion will be the same, the intensity will be the same, the will-to-win on both sides will be there – and every ball will be kicked by those in the stands.
“I can’t imagine that the game will look any different despite what has happened.”
However, the Republic of Ireland legend still fancies his old club to reach the final.
He said: “I think when you look at it, you would have to say that you’d fancy Celtic every time.
“If Rangers* had had a fluent season and were going great guns – like the way Hearts are – then you would be more inclined to think that they might present problems for Celtic.
“But I do often think that it is actually the form team that comes away with the spoils in this fixture.
“However, like everyone else, I would hope that we see a game of football played and that is what we are discussing afterwards.”
*Rangers 2012
To comment on this article visit
