John Lundstram throws down Celtic title gauntlet as Rangers star declares 'things change' with Parkhead triumph

John Lundstram hopes Saturday’s Old Firm showdown will be a game-changer for Rangers’ title hopes.

The Ibrox side head to Parkhead trailing Celtic by nine points with just eight games remaining in the Premiership flag race. But Lundstram is refusing to toss in the the towel as Michael Beale’s team prepare for a must-win clash. He said: “If we go there and win of course things change. We need to go there and try to recoup some points. We’re going there to win and of course we need to. We’re going try to implement a game plan, of course we are. Let’s just see.”

Gers were thrashed 4-0 on their last visit to Celtic Park and were unable to stop Ange Postecoglou’s men lifting the first trophy of the season as they slumped 2-1 in the Viaplay Cup Final. And Lundstram admits it’s time for the Light Blues to stand up and be counted this weekend. "Definitely,” he said. “Of course we’ve gone there every time with that mindset and wanted to stand up and be counted.

“Sometimes games work out differently and sometimes it doesn’t really go the way you want it to. But hopefully we go there this week with a good game plan and manage to implement it on the day.”

Rangers will be walking into a lions’ den with no back-up after both clubs agreed to ban away fans from the final two derbies of the season. But Lundstram said: “Of course it helps to have the fans there but I wouldn’t say it’s daunting to us. Of course having the fans there for us would be great. It’s not to be, though.”

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