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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Stewart Wilson

I coached at Rangers for six months but I hugely underestimated Celtic rivalry

Former Rangers coach Issame Charai has admitted he greatly underestimated the club's rivalry with Celtic

Charai joined Philippe Clement's backroom team at the beginning of this year. He then departed Ibrox over the summer to take charge of Belgian top-flight outfit KVC Westerlo. 

Recently speaking to Niewsblad, Charai admitted that he got the Rangers-Celtic rivalry all wrong before moving to Scotland.

He was even told not to wear green after making the switch: "I honestly underestimated that a bit," admitted Charai. "I thought, 'Ah, that's a bit like Antwerp-Beerschot in Scots.' But nothing could be further from the truth.


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"It goes way too far.

"Before I even landed in Glasgow, I was politely requested not to wear anything green. Because that would have been the beginning of the end. The chants in the stadium too, I can't repeat them here."

When Clement was sacked in February, Charai remained at Rangers as part of Barry Ferguson's backroom team. 

He played his part in the club's memorable 3-2 victory over Celtic at Parkhead, as Hamza Igamane netted a late winner.

"My brother Anas lives in Antwerp and wanted to experience the Old Firm," said Charai. He's a huge Olympique Marseille fan and even has a season ticket. He loves that electric atmosphere.

"It was the first time since Covid that away fans were allowed back. He thought it was amazing, that atmosphere at Celtic Park.

"The fact that we won in the last minute with that Hamza Igamane goal made it even more special.

"There's a great photo of Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers literally dejected and me going absolutely crazy.

"Those are the moments that make you want to be in this job."

Charai's Westerlo currently sit 11th in the 16-team Belgian top-flight, five games into the new campaign. 

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