Charlie Mulgrew has sent a word of warning to his pals at Parkhead – and insists Neil Lennon will have them by the throat if they slip up against Rangers.
With the title already in the bag, Celtic head to Ibrox on Sunday in buoyant mood and expecting to put the icing on the cake.
But cautious Mulgrew recalls March 12, 2012 – the day when the Hoops headed across the city with the chance to clinch the championship at Ibrox.
And he remembers how a determined, hungrier Rangers refused to suffer the humiliation and ran out 3-2 winners.
Sone Aluko opened the scoring for Gers before the Hoops had Cha Du-Ri and Victor Wanyama sent off.
Gers duo Andy Little and Lee Wallace made it 3-0 before Scott Brown scored an 89th-minute penalty after Carlos Bocanegra had been red carded and Thomas Rogne headed home in injury time.
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Celtic boss Lennon was also sent to the stands having been ordered off but ended up watching from the media room.
Blackburn Rovers ace Mulgrew, who played for Celts that day, said: “People said it mattered more to Rangers as they didn’t want to see Celtic celebrating a title win on their patch.
“But it doesn’t matter if it’s the first meeting or last as players are just desperate to win.
“These are the games that matter most to players and fans. It doesn’t matter if the league is wrapped up, derby matches are just special to play in.
“The Rangers team and their fans will want to win this game especially and give themselves a lift going into next season.”
And Mulgrew insists caretaker Hoops boss Lenny won’t settle for anything less than a win.
He said: “Being banished didn’t bother him in the slightest – Lenny was more annoyed at how Celtic played and the fact that we blew a golden opportunity to win the league at Ibrox.
“He probably had me by the throat at one stage!
“Lenny will have Celtic fired up and he’ll love it. He’ll want to get one upon Rangers as it might be the last chance he gets to manage a Celtic team at Ibrox.”
