BARRY Ferguson says he is expecting a big performance from his side in the final Old Firm of the Scottish Premiership season on Sunday.
The head coach wants to see a reaction in performance from last weekend’s draw with St Mirren, but insists the result is the most important thing when it comes to this weekend’s derby at Ibrox.
Speaking to the media at this afternoon’s pre-match press conference, Ferguson said: “I couldn’t care less about the performance, I just want to get the three points. It is a bonus for me if you play well in these games.
“I know a lot of people want to see free-flowing attractive football and I totally get that, but it is all about winning games of football and it is clear that we have not won enough this season. It is something that we need to get better at going forward, not just this season but next season and the following season after that.
“Last week’s performance was one that annoyed me, it made me angry, and I was clear on that in the dressing room. I have been clear on that this week, so I am expecting a better performance, and everyone is playing for their futures.”
With victories in the last two meetings between the sides, including March’s visit to Parkhead under Ferguson, the head coach says his side are prepared for a reaction from the visitors.
He said: “Celtic have been strong and consistent, that is one thing about them, we have not been that throughout the season.
“In the last couple of games, we have performed and got results, but it has not really got us anywhere. It needs to be week by week. We need to make sure we put in those levels of performances, and I am expecting a big performance from us.
“We know they are coming here, and they’ll not be happy with what happened in the last two games, so we need to be ready and prepared. We have done all the preparation we can this week, we know how we are going to approach it, we know how they are going to set up, so these are the games you have got to look forward to.”
Ferguson provided an update on defender Leon Balogun who recently had cheekbone surgery, he explained: “We have got a couple of players back, Leon trained today with a mask on, so he looked fine.
“We will need to see how he reacts tomorrow, but it was good to see him back, he obviously had a minor operation on his fracture, but it has been good to see him back out.”
On what this game means, Ferguson added: “It means a lot to me, and it needs to mean a lot to everybody inside the building. Yes, it has been a really disappointing season, but it is not a dead rubber. You are coming up against your fiercest rivals, who again have dominated this season and that hurts.
“We need to go up against them and give them a reminder that we are going to be here next season. We need to challenge in a better manner than what we have done this season.”