Burns: We Want Old Firm Shootout For Title

Mar 9 2008 By Mark Guidi

Burns Plea Over Decider

CELTIC coach Tommy Burns last night pleaded with the SPL to line up an Old Firm title decider after the split.

The Parkhead legend would love to see his side battle Rangers for the ultimate prize in one of the last games of the season.

However, the authorities feel it's too dangerous to hold such a showdown after the shameful scenes when Gers clinched the league at Celtic Park in 1999.

Three Old Firm matches have still to be played this season and the SPL want to avoid a potentially decisive game. But Burns (right) would like to think society can now handle a winner-takes-all scenario.

The post-split fixtures will be decided next month and Tommy said: "The idea of manufacturing it to make sure a decider doesn't happen is ridiculous.

"Where we live it is everything to people. It's a way of life - a culture.

"There's no doubt it can be over the top at times but you don't want to take away that real edge.

"You don't want to lose that excitement, that situation of not knowing how it's going to go. It's fantastic box office and that's what the game is all about.

"If it was down south and the two teams were due to play one another a decider would happen.

"And you get Scottish Cup Finals between Celtic and Rangers to end the season."

Celtic eased to the title in the last two seasons and Burns insists this year's race has brought the excitement back to the SPL.

He said: "You have critical Old Firm games coming one after another. Who knows how the whole thing will swing?

"The uncertainty is what it's all about and it's going to be a fantastic run-in for everybody.

"You can't manufacture it. If you're doing that it ruins the whole essence of the thing.

"Froma player's point of view it takes you to the absolute edge.

"It's about whether you have the courage to go into that type of atmosphere and pressure.

"Because the pressure never leaves an Old Firm player.

"It lets you know if you can handle that - if you're frightened of it or embrace it.

"If you can go and do that, you are remembered forever.

"I got injured theweek before the 1979 title decider that we won 4-2 at Parkhead. Almost 30 years on people still talk about it andwe should try to give them another one to talk about."

Celtic are four points behind Gers and boss Gordon Strachan insists his side will need to win all of their last 11 SPL games.

He said: "I think we have to win every game. Rangers are very consistent and we can't afford to drop points."