David Bates: This is what Rangers fans will do if they see players in the streets
Rangers defender David Bates thinks the Gers fans will let the Ibrox side’s stars know just how important Sunday’s Old Firm clash with Celtic is.
The Glasgow giants go head-to-head with a huge amount at stake on Sunday as Graeme Murty’s side look to close the gap to their rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership to three points.
Old Firm clashes have brought Scotland to a standstill for years but this one is arguably the most important in years and Bates think fans won’t be shy in letting players know just what three points would mean.
“Everyone is going to be up for the game, and everyone knows about the city they are staying in, and the fans will let them know, this week especially if they see them in the street, how big this game is,” Bates said, as quoted by the club’s official Twitter account.
The 21-year-old has made 16 appearances for the Light Blues this season and has been a mainstay in the side since the winter break after starting the Gers’ last ten games.
Bates joined the Gers from Raith Rovers in August 2016 – initially on loan – and agreed an 18 month deal in January 2017.
The defender’s current deal expires at the end of the season.
Football Insider verdict:
This has the feeling of being the biggest Old Firm clash in a long time and there is already a noticeable buzz – at least amongst Rangers fans – and with several days to go it’s only going to get bigger. It has been a long time since the Gers were this close to a title challenge and fans are now desperate to see their heroes put an end to Celtic’s charge towards a seventh consecutive title. The foreign players who are relatively new to Scotland won’t have experienced anything that comes close to Old Firm day when there is something more than bragging rights at stake.
In other Rangers news, this Arsenal star has claimed he would rather see this Gers fringe player score against Celtic than win the lottery.
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