CALLUM McGREGOR has admitted he isn’t taking too much notice of “noisy neighbours” as Celtic’s first meeting against Steven Gerrard’s new-look Ibrox outfit looms into view.
The Liverpool legend is preparing to go head to head with his former Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers at Parkhead on Sunday.
On the back of an unbeaten 11-game sequence, there is growing optimism among the Govan support that years of misery and maulings from the Hoops are about to come to an end.
Rodgers has faced Sevco Rangers 11 times, won nine, drawn two and is looking forward to adding to his list at the weekend.
Midfielder McGregor said: “There is a lot of talk coming from Rangers, but we’re just focusing on what we’re doing, the same way we always have.
“We don’t listen to what too many people outside Lennoxtown are saying. We’re doing our own thing, trying to play well and get results.
“As players, we focus on things game by game and try to do as best we can. Ultimately, it’s about getting a result and looking forward to the next week.
“People will always set challenges and this group of players have been excellent at coming back from people saying we can’t do this or that.
“If we’re told teams are coming for us then the group of players have always responded pretty well.”
Speaking of the restriction to away supporters to around 800 tickets, the Scotland international added: “It’s changed with a smaller group of away fans and we have to try to use that to our advantage.
“We have to get the place rocking and try to stamp our authority on the game. It will be pretty strange, just as it will be when we go to Ibrox.
“It takes away from that derby day feeling, but that’s the decision that’s been made and everyone has to get on with it.
“Any Old Firm game you play you want to win. Our success has been based on each game as it comes and we have a game before Rangers this week.”
