‘Frightening’ ‘Steamrollered’ ‘not good enough’ – fear and loathing of Daily Record reporters as they look to Glasgow Derby

The top reporters at the Daily Record appear to be in a state of concern over the Glasgow Derby on September 1.

Phil Clement’s Revolution! seems to have hit the buffers on a record of seven wins from 19 matches with the Record campaign to sell James Tavernier and Connor Goldson to Al Ettifaq failing to bring in the expected mega-bucks.

The excitement of a quadruple triumph in February was downgraded to a domestic treble as recently as April before Brendan Rodgers swept up another couple of trophies to take Celtic onto 118 since they were formed in 1888.

Winning the League Cup in December would take the hoops past the combined trophy total of both Ibrox clubs while winning the SPFL title would match the insignificant tally of 55 title wins.

That number holds a special affection in the hearts of all Ibrox fans but a fortnight before the first Glasgow Derby of the season Scott McDermott and Keith Jackson appear very concerned about the outcome of that match.

In a bid to break into the digital age the Record is trying to produce engaging video content but having two middle aged bears share their fears about Selik simply underlines the perception of the ailing Glasgow based publisher.

JACKSON: If Diomanse, Barron and Lawrence is the midfield three for the game at Celtic Park, they’ll get steamrolled, simple as that.

MCDERMOTT: Listen it is no as if they’ve got loads of guys to come back. They’ve got Nico Raskin, injured, no sure when he’s back but that’s it. We touched on it, in the summer about the midfield. I said to you, we’re going into these games with just three midfielders. Kieran Dowell, another one, he’s clearly no upto it, in terms of what Rangers need.

I mean you’re right. Think about how far behind Rangers look compared to Celtic, honestly, ah think, ah think it’s frightening. Ah look at that Celtic squad, just looking at the midfield, you could argue Celtic have got the three best midfielders in the country.

JACKSON: Oh aye.

MCDERMOTT: O’Riley, Hatate, McGregor

JACKSON: Ah wouldn’t put up much of a fight

MCDERMOTT: An that, for a Rangers team, ah don’t know, that’s not good enough

The lads at the Record reckon that it is impossible to see ‘Rangers’ winning at Celtic Park on September 1, expecting it to be a five point lead.

Clement has been talking about how unrecognisable and wonderful his team will be in October but August and September have to be negotiated first.

Despite the fanciful valuations placed on the serial losers by Record Sport there is no interest in Ianis Hagi or Todd Cantwell.

Others like Rabbi Matondo, Ben Davies and Cyriel Dessers are living the high life on wages that they wouldn’t get near anywhere else.

The expected rush of £30m bids for Jack Butland has failed to materialise which all points to Clement heading to Celtic Park in two weeks time with the squad that crashed out of the Champions League to Dinamo Kiev.

Ahead of the Derby match the Record tends to select a combined XI from both teams with their reporters giving scoreline predictions.