Pressure on Rangers says Celtic's match winner Keane

Printer Friendly

Share

Text Size

GLASGOW, Feb 21, 2010 (AFP) - Celtic striker Robbie Keane said the pressure is all on Rangers as the sides prepare to meet in next week's Old Firm derby.

The on-loan Spurs striker scored the only goal as Celtic reduced their rivals' lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League to seven points with a narrow 1-0 win over Dundee United at Parkhead on Saturday.

The Hoops took full advantage of the Gers' game away to St Johnstone being called off due to a frozen pitch to cut the gap in a match against United in which they dominated possession.

The two sides will face each other at Ibrox next Sunday and despite Walter Smith's side's commanding position Keane claims he is looking forward to his first Old Firm derby.

"If you look at the points difference Rangers are still obviously in control of the situation but sometimes it is better to be chasing as we have absolutely nothing to lose," the Irish striker said.

"By no means is it going to be easy, of course it's going to be difficult, but it is Rangers' to throw away.

"You want to play in the big games and it doesn't come any bigger than Celtic versus Rangers and it will be good to be part of that.

"It would be nice to play but the most important thing is getting a win and putting the pressure back on Rangers.

"There is still a long way to go but I think the way we set up we will go there to try and win the game. Rangers are doing well at the moment but the pressure is all on them."

Celtic had looked down and out in the championship race after last weekend's 4-4 draw with Aberdeen left them trailing Rangers by 10 points.

But with the gap now cut to seven due to the Ibrox side's postponed fixture in Perth Celtic manager Tony Mowbray believes his side can still cause an upset if they can triumph in next week's Old Firm derby.

"The good thing about next week is we can influence the teams in and around the top of the table," Mowbray said.

"It could be four points by the end of next week and they've still to come here and it could be one point if we win in that game and there is everything in between.

"We will wait and see what happens. There are lots of points to be played for and psychologically if we can win next week it could put some doubts in a few people's minds."

Against Dundee United on Saturday Mowbray's men had the lion's share of possession with keeper Dusan Pernis producing a number of outstanding saves to keep United in the game.

However Celtic only had Keane's 21st minute goal to show for their dominance despite a plethora of opportunities to increase their lead.

It was the Republic of Ireland international's first goal at Parkhead and he said he was delighted to have got off the mark at home.

"It was very pleasing and always nice to score a goal as a striker but the most important thing is the three points," Keane said.

"I said to myself when I first came it would take me three or four games to get into the swing of it and I feel I'm starting to do that."

Keane has notched three goals since moving from Spurs on loan at the end of January and is desperate to bag one in the Old Firm derby.

However the hit-man said he would swap scoring for a Celtic win that would see them close in on Rangers in the championship race.

"I've been lucky enough to play in big teams before and dealt with the pressure that comes with that. When you are playing for a club that demands success it is up to us as players to deliver that.

"As a striker you are judged on scoring goals and you want to score goals and do as well as you can.

"But I'd be happy to come away from Ibrox next week with a 1-0 win and somebody else to have scored."