Fran Alonso: 'Pressure on Rangers' in Sunday's derby
There is more expectation on Rangers to get a result in Sunday’s Old Firm derby than there is on Celtic, Hoops manager Fran Alonso has suggested.
The two Glasgow giants go head-to-head for the first time this season at Rangers’ training ground, in a game which will be screened live on the home side’s TV channel.
Both sides have turned professional, but Alonso says because Rangers have invested more money in their side there is more scrutiny on them.
“They (Rangers) got much more press than us because of their budget, and because of the expectations we don’t put that much pressure on us at the moment,” said Alonso.
“We are definitely not going to be intimidated, although we know they are the favourites on paper.”
Celtic lost their opening game of the season 2-0 to Glasgow City, but have since rebounded with wins over Hearts and Spartans. And manager Alonso now feels his side will be a much tougher proposition than they were against City.
He said: “What a better way to test ourselves now that we are actually fully fit and there are no more excuses about fitness or whatever. So if they win it is because they are better than us.
“It was very important to come from back to back wins after a very tough first game. feel we are in much better shape. We are very intense, obviously we can be better, but I think we are in a very good place.”