Old Firm Scott V Mendes

Glasgow rivals cool on title talk

Scott Brown and Pedro Mendes

Brown is suspended and will not do battle with Mendes on Saturday

Old Firm midfield stars Pedro Mendes and Scott Brown are playing down the
bill of championship decider ahead of Saturday's Glasgow derby at Ibrox.

"There will still be three games to go, nine points to play for," said
Mendes. "But it will be a big step, I have to admit that, towards the
title."

Celtic's Brown, who misses the game through suspension, said: "If we go and
beat Rangers, we'll be delighted.

"And, if not, we've got another three games to go."

Celtic hold a one-point lead as they chase a fourth consecutive
championship, but they face Rangers without the influential Brown, who is
this season's PFA Scotland Player of the Year.

"I'm gutted to be missing out on the Old Firm game," said the 23-year-old
midfielder.

"I'll be going along, I'll be supporting the lads and I'll be in the
changing-room before the game."

Afterwards, there will be three games to go, so it will be massive for both
teams

Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes

Brown insists Celtic can win at Ibrox without him after watching them shrug
off his absence to win 3-1 away to Aberdeen on Saturday.

"I saw it on TV and the lads didn't really need me, to be fair!" joked
Brown, who generally does not like watching his own team in action.

"They're scoring goals away from home and winning games, so that's the main
thing."

Rangers playmaker Mendes, who was on the short-list of candidates beaten by
Brown for the players' prize, feared he may also miss the vital encounter
after suffering what appeared to be a bad injury in the Scottish Cup
semi-final win over St Mirren just over a week ago.

However, the problem was not serious and the Portuguese midfielder completed
a full 90 minutes against Hearts on Sunday.

Mendes admitted to being "very tired" after the 2-0 victory, having been
unable to train for most of last week.

"I didn't train for most of the week, just having treatment and trying to
recover the knee," he said.

"I'm pleased with how the game went. It was an important win and a massive
three points for us."

Mendes thundered home what was voted goal of the season at the PFA Scotland
awards ceremony in a 4-2 win at Celtic Park in August, while Rangers were
beaten by Scott McDonald's goal at Ibrox in December.

The fierce rivals then ground out a tedious 0-0 in February but Celtic hold
the head-to-head advantage this season thanks to victory in the Co-operative
Insurance Cup final a month later.

"It's a massive game, massive," said Mendes, looking ahead to the weekend.
"Afterwards, there will be three games to go, so it will be massive for both
teams. We definitely want to win it and go top."

TITLE RACE FOR CELTIC AND RANGERS

Well it all comes down to this weekends game. Winner of this game will go on to win the league for sure.

COME ON THE HOOPS!!