CHANGE OF THE REGARD

With belief and confidence soaring on both sides of the Old Firm, a new reality is about to set in for one set of supporters.. and it's unlikely to go down too well

- KEITH JACKSON

ONE of them is in for a nasty surprise.

That's probably the only certainty ahead of Sunday's Viaplay Cup Final at Hampden now that the gloves are about to come off in this burgeoning rivalry between Ange Postecoglou and Michael Beale.

With levels of self-confidence and belief soaring on either side of the old divide, finally this phoney war is about to come to an explosive end with real shots being fired.

And when it's all done and dusted, one of these managers is about to emerge from the smoke to find himself in a very different place. Wishful thinking, you see, can be dangerous.

And right now, fans of both of these incompatible neighbours are guilty of indulging in it at the same time.

From Celtic's perspective, there appears to be an unwillingness to acknowledge the improvements that Beale has been busy carrying out on the other side of the fence.

With a shrug of the shoulders and a puff of the cheeks the general consensus is, 'So what? He's still miles behind. Big Ange.'

Which may or may not be the case but, if they're wrong, then it will smack of presumptuousness and complacency.

Meanwhile, in the blue corner, there's a burning desire, almost a neediness, for Beale to prove himself the real deal.

And should he end up on the wrong end of a hiding this weekend then this surge of optimism might be rendered as borderline delusionary.

Either way, a new reality is about to set in for one set of supporters and it's unlikely to go down too well.