Tuesday 6 September 2016 12:54, UK
Rangers assistant boss David Weir is confident his players will handle the red-hot atmosphere of the Old Firm derby this Saturday.
Manager Mark Warburton has reshaped his squad since securing a place in the top-flight of Scottish football at the second attempt last May, with 12 additions drafted in by the end of the summer transfer window.
Almost half could figure at Celtic Park this weekend but Weir, who made 231 appearances for Rangers between 2007-2012, has no doubt they will "do the right thing" in the game, live on Sky Sports 2.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ he said: "We are looking forward to this game, everyone is talking about it. This game is important, it stands alone as a fixture but you have to treat it the same way as you would other matches.
"We preach to the players to be in control and make the right decisions at the right time so it's obviously heightened in this game for obvious reasons. But we trust the players to do the right things and to handle the football side and the emotional side of it."
And Weir believes his squad can take confidence from their Scottish Cup semi-final victory over Celtic at Hampden Park just four months ago.
After the teams ended level at the end of extra time, Celtic's Tom Rogic missed from the spot to hand the Gers a 5-4 shoot-out victory and a place in the final, where they lost out to Hibernian 3-2 back at the National Stadium the following month.
"I think all these games are different," he said. "Obviously this game is at Celtic Park which gives them an advantage and they will be happy with that.
"The last one was a neutral venue at Hampden but we've got good memories of that game and the players take great confidence from winning it - albeit that it was on penalties - but on the day we played well and I felt we deserved to win."
Asked if he plans to adopt a more defensive set-up than usual against Brendan Rodgers' table-toppers, Weir says he and Warburton will work out a 'balanced approach' to the match and adapt accordingly.
"I think we're looking at both aspects of the game," added the 46-year-old. "Obviously we are giving Celtic respect as they have talented players both offensively and defensively, there's no doubt about that, and we have to counter that and deal with that but ultimately we have to challenge them at the other end as well.
"So it is just about getting that balance right which is what we do week in, week out. We analyse the opposition, give them respect but also focus on ourselves as well."
Central defender Philippe Senderos, added to the Rangers squad on transfers deadline day, could make his domestic debut against the champions but Weir insists he faces competition for a starting place at Celtic Park.
"He definitely has a chance of starting. He has done well during his time training here but we have competition for players in that position - Danny Wilson, Rob Kiernan and Clint Hill can all play centrally," he said.
"But Philippe is definitely in there in the hunt for a game. We will see how training goes this week and male a decision closer to Saturday morning. Obviously we are working on some things that are specific to this game. Things that will take priority but our style is there pretty much for all to see.
"We go out there to dominate the ball. We like to be in possession but I am sure Celtic will try to do the same so that will be a big part of the game - who handles the occasion best."
