Kris Ajer won’t be fazed by the atmosphere inside Ibrox after enjoying a ringside seat for Celtic’s early season victory.
Back in September former bull-fighter Pedro Caixinha had spent £10m on building a title challenge but over 90 minutes Celtic re-enforced the massive gulf between the two clubs.
By stabilising the disaster that he inherited Graeme Murty has been hoisted close to legendary status but has home defeats from St Johnstone, Hamilton and Hibs on his record.
They hype from Ibrox will have developed into a frenzy by lunchtime on Sunday but having experienced the fixture from behind the goal Ajer is ready to stand up to be counted on the park.
“I travelled there the last time but I wasn’t in the squad,” the Norwegian teenager explained to the Daily Record. “ I sat in with the Celtic fans and it was a good experience.
“We won 2-0, it was a good result but I wasn’t singing, I was still trying to learn the songs! It will be a tough match at Ibrox and it’s a big game for both clubs.”
Looking at the intensity of the supporters he added: “After training I try to stay away from all that happens in Glasgow between the clubs.
“I know football is everything here in this city and there is fantastic support from the fans, no matter who they support.
“I know that every game means a lot to them and we have to remember that and keep our focus.
“It’s important that you don’t think about anything else apart from the games. It takes away energy if you do that.
“Glasgow can be really proud of the fact that football is such a big thing. There are so many passionate fans here, they support their teams 100 per cent and that’s great, especially when you play for Celtic.
Since being given his chance on the back of the 4-0 defeat away to Hearts Ajer has become a fixture in the Celtic defence.
The suspension of Mikael Lustig coupled with the arrivals of Marvin Compper and Jack Hendry has left Brendan Rodgers with some big decisions to make in defence but there is no chance of Ajer, who’ll be 20 next month, returning to the Broomloan Road stand with the Celtic fans.