THE TODE COUPLE

Cantwell will thrive on the hostile atmosphere of the derby and Sterling alongside him in the midfield can drive Gers to a memorable win

- BARRY FERGUSON

TODD CANTWELL appears to have developed into the pantomime villain of Scottish football with fans of every team apart from Rangers lining up to give him abuse.

And there's no doubt he'll g get it tight from 60,000 Celtic supporters tomorrow.

It's going to take real mental strength for the playmaker to block it out and concentrate on doing what he does best, which is bringing energy and creativity to a team thriving under Philippe Clement.

I know it's not easy and there have been times I've been unable to practise what I'm preaching August 2000, Parkhead, 6-2 to Celtic and I'm up the tunnel early for two bookings, the second coming after a bit of daft handbags with -Jonathan Gould. Let me tell you, that walk off the pitch and into the dressing room should take 10 seconds but it felt like 10 minutes.

Then there's the wait on your own inside for the final whistle. There's no lonelier place in football. And yet I used that experience as fuel after I served my ban. The next time we played Celtic we beat them 5-1 at our place.

That's the rollercoaster ride that comes with being at the Old Firm and Cantwell seems to thrive on the experience.

Yes, he can get involved in the odd bit of silliness that makes him a target. But he can play and right now he is the creative spark that is vital to this run Rangers take into the Old Firm clash.