We Won't Let Celts Drub Us Up Wrong Way Like Last Time

Jan 6 2008 By Gavin Berry

Celtic V Stirling Albion Saturday, Kick-Off 3.00

MARK McNALLY insists Stirling Albion's priority on Saturday is to avoid a thrashing like the one they were subjected to on their last visit to Parkhead.

The former Celtic defender returns to Glasgow on Scottish Cup duty as assistant manager to the Binos boss Allan Moore.

And he's relishing the trip to face Gordon Strachan's men in the fourth round clash.

But McNally, who made more than 150 appearances for the Hoops, admitted the fear of being on the end of a drubbing is always on his mind.

That's what happened when Stirling last went to Parkhead seven years ago and Celtic rattled in eight goals with no reply in a League Cup tie.

Shaun Maloney scored four and John Hartson helped himself to a couple as the Hoops ran riot.

It was seven months after that sorry night that Moore moved to Forthbank and turned things round.

Binos were in the Third Division back then - now they're in the First having punched above their weight to get there and feeling confident after holding leaders Hamilton 0-0 yesterday.

McNally hopes the players who sit bottom of the league can do themselves justice on the day.

He said: "The last time we went to Parkhead we were battered 8-0 just before Allan arrived.

"The club is still scarred so hopefully we can put that right.

"It will give the lads a lift to play at such a great stadium and I hope they don't let themselves down.

"The prospect of them freezing is the big worry.

"If we look up at the scoreboard and see it's 4-0 or 5-0 after 20 minutes we won't enjoy it.

"Nobody is really expecting us to do anything so the players can try to enjoy it. But the only way we're going to do that is if we don't disgrace ourselves.

"We have done well in the last five years to come through the leagues and hopefully the experience the boys gained will stand them in good stead.

"There will be 40,000 or 50,000 at Parkhead so it will be totally different to going to Peterhead or Stranraer." Ironically, McNally lifted the Scottish Cup with Celtic in his last competitive game for the Hoops after eight years without a winner's medal.

He recalled: "It was one of the worst finals of recent times.

"Pierre van Hooijdonk scored our winner against Airdrie and at that time we really needed to win something. My friends and family had money on me to get the first goal at odds of 50-1.

"Early on I blazed a great chance over the bar so I haven't been allowed to forget that!

"It would have been the icing on the cake.

"But having been at the club so long without winning anything it was just great to get a medal in what turned out to be my last competitive game."

Mark won't be returning to the first team for Saturday's match despite the fact he's still registered as a player. He has not featured this term and said: "If I had been playing regularly and had just been out injured then I might have thought about going back.

"But not having played it would be just unfair to take someone's place. That applies even to going on the bench.

"It's not in my nature to do things like that and deprive someone who might never play there again just for the sake of savouring the occasion.

"Some people have told me to use my authority and put myself on the bench but it's not going to happen - although when I'm there I'll probably be wishing I was out on the pitch with the rest of the lads.

"To play in front of that amount of fans again would be excellent, the biggest crowds for me in recent years have been a couple of thousand.

"Hopefully Parkhead will be almost full - these are the games you want to play in.

"Still, it will be so good for the other guys."