Davis wants Old Firm derby tribute to mark disaster

GLASGOW: Rangers midfielder Steven Davis believes victory over Celtic today would be the perfect way to mark the 40th anniversary of the Ibrox Disaster.

The Scottish champions will remember the 66 people who lost their lives at an Old Firm derby in January 1971, following crushes on the terraces, when their bitter rivals visit Ibrox today.

The club have a number of tributes planned on the day, including a minute’s silence ahead of kick-off, and a memorial service will take place at Ibrox tomorrow.

Davis is well aware that the New Year’s derby will be even more emotionally-charged than usual but has no fears about the players’ ability to cope with the occasion.

“I don’t think we need to be shielded. We are totally aware of the situation and the disaster that occurred,” Davis said.

“It will mean a lot to so many people, especially the families who were affected by it. We are definitely aware of that.

“I think the best we can do as players is go out there and perform on the pitch and get the right result.

“Hopefully that will bring a little bit of comfort to the people involved in the disaster.”

Rangers’ midweek game at St Johnstone fell victim to the weather, allowing Celtic to move one point clear at the top with a win over Motherwell, providing them with a psychological boost ahead of today’s clash.

Davis is desperate for a win to allow Rangers to reclaim top spot again but does not necessarily believe victory will have a massive bearing on the title race at this stage.

“We’ve got a couple of games in hand now and we would rather have the points on the board,” he said. “But we will hopefully go into the game with confidence and will try to get another good result.

“It would definitely be a boost for us to win but we won’t look too far ahead.

“There are still so many games to be played and there are going to be so many fixtures in a short space of time for us, with the size of squad that we have.

“You obviously look to win the Old Firm games and take a boost from it but that’s all it would be at this stage of the season.”