Bust-up wasn't my fault, says Celtic midfielder Barry Robson

Apr 27 2008 By Euan Mclean

Celtic V Rangers Today, Kick-Off 12.30pm Live On Setanta Sports

BARRY ROBSON insists he never meant to set the tone for a stormy Old Firm battle when he clattered Christian Dailly within seconds of the kick-off in the last derby clash.

And the Celtic star reckons he and Dailly will actually laugh about it when they catch up on Scotland duty.

Robson also believes none of the players will allow any grudges from the recent powderkeg fixture at Parkhead to spill into today's game at Celtic Park.

Robson's full-blooded barge on the shrill of Kenny Clark's first whistle was nothing compared to the mass brawl on the ref's last blow that earned red cards for David Weir and Gary Caldwell.

Now just 11 days on, punters flocking to Parkhead are expecting even more niggle between the sides as they go head-to-head again with the stakes even higher as the SPL title run-in reaches fever pitch.

But Robson isn't bracing himself for a 90 minute war and reckons the bustup at the end of Celtic's 2-1 win will have no bearing on today's clash.

He said: "I don't expect more niggle. People think it kicked off just because it was an Old Firm game but that could happen in any match if a tackle flew in at the end. Our guys are fully committed as are the Rangers guys.

"As for my early challenge on Christian, there was no intention of setting the tone - nothing like that.

"Christian is a nice guy and I went for the header like I would at any time in any other game.

"My elbow was up and I was just trying to protect myself.

"It was nothing to do with setting the tone in the game, sending a message to Rangers or anything like that. Iwas just going for a tackle.

"I didn't speak to Christian later but if selected I'll see him next time I'm away with Scotland.

"Christian is also a fully-committed player and I took a wee knock from him later on. That's just the way football is, that's the way everybody wants to play to win the game."

While Robson is quick to play down any talk of a grudge match today he admits Celtic must show the same battling spirit against a Rangers side that overpowered them in the first two derbies of the season.

He said: "That same combative approach will be needed again. Every Old Firm game is the same, you have to make sure everyone is right at it.

"I don't know if there was a more combative edge to our performance in comparison to the last two Old Firm games as I wasn't involved but it wasn't something we spoke about beforehand.

"There was nothing said in the dressing room or a change in the way we prepared - it was normal.

"We worked on our shape and the positionswe wanted to take up and that was it. We've had another good week's training and hopefully can produce a similar performance.

"Winning the last one gives us a lot of confidence although I don't think we were lacking on that score beforehand. We just weren't getting the breaks."

Robson was praised as one of Celtic's stand-out performers in the previous clash with fellow midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura, who faces a late fitness test today after picking up a virus on Friday.

And the Japanese goal hero was quick to deflect his limelight on to Robson by hailing the influence the ex-Dundee United skipper has had since joining Celtic and claiming it has allowed him to become a better player.

Robson humbly squirms at the mention of such glowing praise from a guy he clearly admires a great deal.

But while he reckons Naka could teach him a thing or two with his skills, Robson admits he believes he has the ability to match him at free-kicks.

He said: "Naka is a great player and I don't think he needs me to improve his form. I know he said it but he is a fantastic footballer and I don't believe he needs me to make him any better.

"He is just great to play with. Some of the things he does are phenomenal.

He also works hard for the team - a lot of people don't seem to understand that.

"He puts in a great shift when you look at the stats and the amount of distance he covers during games.

"He is a massive player for us - look at the goal he scored against Rangers.

"He could certainly teach me a few tricks. However, when it comes to set pieces Naka does it his way while I do it mine. Some of the free-kicks he has scored have been great but I do it in my own style because it's good to mix it up.

"He'll take one free-kick and I'll maybe take the next and we've both contributed.

"There's never any arguments over who should take them, it's not about who takes them or who looks the best.

"As long as we are putting in dangerous deliveries and getting goals from them it doesn't matter.

"We need Naka fit for this one and hopefully he will be ready to play.

"He is one of several in our ranks who can unlock defences - Aiden McGeady and Paul Hartley can do it from midfield then you have the forwards.

"We've lots of players who can cause Rangers problems and they have lots of players who can cause us problems so it should be a good match today."