Kenny Miller has dismissed John Guidetti’s claim that he will hit a hat-trick for Celtic today.
The Swede had said he fancies becoming the first Hoops player to score three against Rangers since Harry Hood, in a League Cup semi-final, back in 1973.
Miller has too much experience of Old Firm clashes to take the striker’s boast about aiming for a treble in today’s showdown too seriously.
He said: “So between us we have to get four! Over the years, you have seen so many players new players, young players, even older players making silly statements about games and things.
“To think this is going to be a one-sided affair, and make big statements about scoring hat-tricks or whatever, is a bit foolish.
“We know Celtic play some good stuff and have got some fantastic players. We have to neutralise their threats and expose their weaknesses.
“This fixture alone gives us a chance to put a bit of sunshine about the place. There has been a dark cloud over us for a while now, on the field and off the field.
“In terms of the club off the field, it is a real chance to give our fans something to sing about. Apart from the fact it is a chance to get to a cup final, there is a real chance to put one over on your local rivals in a match where no-one is giving you a chance.
“In that sense, yes, we can use it to hopefully spur us on.”
The veteran is demanding some big performances from his Rangers colleagues at Hampden.
He went on: “The good players we have got are going to have to turn up. The atmosphere’s electric wherever you play this game, and I’m expecting even more from this one because of the absence of the fixture.
“This is a neutral venue and we’ve got lads who have played in cup finals before, so we’re familiar with the place and it’s not as intimidating as it would be going to Parkhead.”
Miller said talks of an internal row about a lack of tickets for players had not disrupted the preparations.
He said: “It is what it is. It’s something you deal with as a player. You get a ticket allocation for every game, and you can try to push the boat out and get a few more, which you always do.
“It’s very, very strange, I’ll say that. What’s come out in the past few days is something we’ve known about for the last week or so.
“It’s a different situation from anything I’ve been involved in, that’s for sure.”
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