Allan McGregor sat on the Ibrox bench and saved every shot, grabbed every cross and kicked every ball as Ivor Pandur played his part in a famous Old Firm win at Ibrox. Now the master will look to guide the apprentice to a crucial victory at Parkhead.
Such occasions are where heroes are made and legends are born. Pandur does, of course, have some way to go before he can be held in the same esteem as his coach or those – the likes of Stefan Klos and Andy Goram – that have worn the No.1 jersey in years gone by. A second derby in a week offers the Croatian a shot at glory in his own right.
Rangers head across the city on the back of a 3-0 Premier Sports Cup win. A similar outcome in the first Premiership meeting of the season would be a significant sign of intent from Derek McInnes’ side. It would be cherished by a keeper that has made his own statements with a series of accomplished showings since his £6million move from Hull City.
“I would love it,” Pandur said when asked about the chance to follow in the footsteps of esteemed keepers with a big performance at Parkhead. “I will for sure give my best to help my team and do everything that’s needed for me to do. The only thing I can control is to give my best and support my teammates in any way possible.
“It’s big. We obviously know the games against Celtic are the biggest - you have the most to win and the most to lose. But every game for us is equally important because it’s three points. Even against St Mirren or Motherwell that we played, those tough games, we managed to win.
“We want to win, we give our best and everyone is here to win trophies. We know that’s our goal, our ambition, we will do everything we can.
“It’s really good [working with Allan]. I think I am really lucky that I came here and to have him as a coach. Who can give me some of the advice and experiences that he had playing for this club.
“He has been through it all, so I always have someone to ask. If there’s something I want to know or I don’t understand, I think it will help me really to have him by my side.
“I think he was probably more stressed now than when he played! No, he was good. He’s a calm guy, doesn’t give too much information because he just wants to help and training is enjoyable. I can only say good things.”
Those good things extend to other members of the group that McInnes has guided to five straight wins on the back of the Conference League exit to Jablonec. Another victory would set the narrative heading into the international break.
McInnes spoke on Friday about the team spirit within his ranks and of how there is a feeling of ‘brothers’ being formed by a squad that went through a significant overhaul during the summer transfer window. Earlier this week, Nico Raskin shared a photograph on social media of several players having a coffee at a city centre café as the work to form bonds on and off the park continues.
“I think we alike each other because we are mostly young guys, far away from home,” Pandur said. “A lot of us who are living here alone can spend some time with each other, we don’t mind it. It’s a really good group of boys and people, players. We are happy to have this.
“It helps, 100 per cent. I think in the beginning we still didn’t know, there were a lot of new players - me included. So it takes some time for everyone to fit into the system, the way we play. So, hopefully now everyone knows what they are doing and it is much better.
“I like it in Glasgow, my friends and family and my missus they come all the time and they enjoy it. So most of the time there is always someone with me. But also we spend a lot of time with each other outside so there’s never a moment when you are bored.
“There is so much to do and the city is good, so I am happy. Coming here, every day, everyone comes with a smile.
“We enjoy training, enjoy the matches, enjoy playing in front of our fans and away. Everything is starting to click and when you have good things outside then you can be good in here.”
A win at Parkhead would be the best of all so far this term. The points dropped to Dundee United and Hibernian in the opening weeks of the campaign still separate the Old Firm but Rangers have a chance to move within touching distance in the title race.
A Dan Neil double and Kevin Kelsy strike earned McInnes’ side a commanding, comfortable win last weekend. If the same levels can be reached, a similar outcome can be achieved.
“We are confident,” Pandur said. “I think we did a really good job last Sunday and we just want to repeat that. Obviously we had a week to prepare to see what we can improve on, do better. But the performance was good and we want to do the same.
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“The experience was really good. Obviously, people can tell you but when you step on the pitch and you hear the sound and feel the energy, it’s something different what I have experienced in my life. So, I am truly grateful that I was able to experience that.
“It’s different - it’s their stadium, their fans. But it’s still a game of football and we know they will have seen what they did wrong and try to do things better this time.
“We need to be ready for that and it’s why we have put in all the work. We just need to think about ourselves, do our best and see where that takes us.”
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