Le Guen faces first Old Firm test

Celtic v Rangers: Ewan Murray suggests that a Rangers defeat today will put some early pressure on manager Paul Le Guen

Rangers cross Glasgow this lunchtime for their first Old Firm derby since Paul Le Guen's appointment as manager, with the Frenchman appearing upbeat even in increasing adversity.

Already four points adrift of their great rivals, Le Guen knows that defeat at Celtic Park this afternoon, a prospect regarded by bookmakers as likely, will make his position considerably more uncomfortable.

The former Lyon coach warned on his appointment in June that improvement would be slow but after a sequence of insipid displays his critics believe that it has been non-existent. The 42-year-old, however, insists his team are missing nothing more than confidence.

"We need victories," conceded Le Guen. "But there would be nothing like a result against Celtic to improve our confidence. I know I will be judged on results against them; I knew this before I came here. Celtic have started the season better than us, I must recognise this, but we are going there to contest and to fight. We must be aware that we can bother them."

Le Guen received a warm welcome at his first visit to Rangers' annual general meeting on Tuesday, with the consensus appearing to be that the manager and his new signings must be given more time to settle in.

"The fans have been tolerant and I would ask them to remain that way," said John Macmillan of the club's supporters' association.

"We have to give Le Guen at least a year before making judgments; it would be unreasonable to do anything else. His hands have been tied to a certain extent with regard to the players he has brought in."

The Rangers budget is considerably less than the one former managers once enjoyed. Yet Le Guen's signings including Filip Sebo, a £1.8 million purchase from Austria Vienna, and the former IFK Gothenburg defender Karl Svensson have categorically failed to impress.

Craig Brown, the former Scotland manager who attends many games in France as part of his role as Fulham's international scout, has reiterated his fears that the subtle differences in football style between Le Guen's home country and Scotland may ensure it takes him extra time to settle.

Brown cites the examples of Alain Perrin and Jacques Santini, who earned strong reputations from their time in the French league but never got to grips with the British game, as a warning to those who expect Le Guen to be an instant success. "The second biggest cheer from the crowd in Scotland (after a goal) comes for a tackle," said Brown. "That is far from the case in France; the styles of play are entirely different.

"The Rangers chairman David Murray appointed a man with a top pedigree, which is all he could do, but there are cultural and football adaptations that Le Guen must make.

"He has embarked on a major transitional period as well, which makes me think it will take two or three years before results can be assessed."

Le Guen's plans for this afternoon's match at a venue where Rangers have tasted victory only once in their previous 15 visits have been hampered by an injury to Jeremy Clement and by Phil Bardsley's suspension.

Dado Prso comes back into the manager's thoughts, though, after recovering from a knee problem.

Celtic will be back to full strength as Striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is certain to start with Celtic manager Gordon Strachan having to decide whether Maciej Zurawski or Kenny Miller partners the big Dutchman in attack. The game will be refereed by Dougie McDonald.

Guardian Service