Old Firm showdown could be Tony Mowbray's last

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So many reasons why Tony Mowbray needs Old Firm victory

By Gary McDaniel

Every Old Firm game is crucial in the eyes of the fans from both clubs but Sunday's clash is probably more crucial to Tony Mowbray than anyone else.  The Englishman will be looking for his first victory, as a manager, in an old firm derby. If he gets it, it will see the biggest gasp of relief, I imagine, exhaling from the Celtic manager in his career.

Mowbray just doesn't need this victory to keep alive any title aspirations his side may harbour but to avoid the media onslaught about his future if they lose.

The former West Brom manager has not been that enamoured by the coverage he and his team have received from the press this season.  If he thinks it is bad just now just wait until Monday morning if Celtic leave Ibrox empty handed.  The league will be virtually over and the press..... Well what have they got to write about for the remainder of the season?  It will be a day to day analysis of Mowbray's tenure at Parkhead so far.  The papers will ask ex-Celtic players for their thoughts.  Many will say that his time has come, others may say differently.  Players or managers who have worked for or alongside Mowbray will be lending their support to say he can come through it.  The hotlines will be buzzing with fans venting their anger. It will be intense.  You can argue as to whether it is correct but that is the Scottish media for you.

Of course, this all depends on the result.  Celtic have shown in the previous two old firm clashes that they are by no means virtual outsiders to win Sunday's game.  Celtic fans will point to poor refereeing decisions in both games but what was most glaring was the chances passed up by the bhoys in hoops.  That may change with the likes of Robbie Keane in the side; this is the match in which the Spurs man has been brought in for.

Rangers' manager Walter Smith has had time to ponder over his team selection due to the postponement of the St Johnstone match.  It will though be without doubt a Rangers side which will not be too adventurous.  Smith will revert back to his cautious tactics just like a conservative poker player with a large chip stack.  While at the other side of the table Tony Mowbray plays it loose with a dodgy hand.  That dodgy hand maybe the defence which has been the main culprit in Celtic dropping points this season at an alarming rate.

Smith will look to players such as Thomson and McCulloch to ruffle up the attack minded Celtic midfield.  They will sit deep and try to catch Celtic on the break with Miller running the channels.  For Aiden McGeady this is the occasion when he needs to prove his class, something the Celtic fans have not seen enough of in these derbies. 

Rangers would be delighted with a draw, that there is no doubt, whereas a Celtic victory closes the gap to four points. Okay Rangers have a game in hand but it is by no means a gimmie.  Would the pressure begin to tell? Just like Marc Antoine Fortune predicts?  Maybe not as the Rangers squad has been through it before.

The interesting factor though is that before the season began it was expected Celtic would wrestle back the title from Rangers due to the Ibrox club's financial predicament. With only months of the season remaining it would be Rangers fans in uproar if their team doesn't secure a second consecutive championship.

Mowbray knows that many previous Celtic managers have failed to get the better of the wise old silver fox that is Walter Smith. Only Wim Jansen and Gordon Strachan have managed it and they were close encounters.

So for Tony Mowbray the only positive outcome can be a win, no more claims that his side is progressing and moving forward or that his future plans are beginning to take shape.  Future plans that include players on loan who may unlikely remain, I add.  Even if it is a scrappy game that Celtic win 1-nil with a goal off Robbie Keane's backside Mowbray should cherish it as you just never know what it could do for their season and his future and Celtic Park.

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