16 Sep 2026 12:58:09
I've been reading a few posts about the effect of a partisan home crowd on the away team. As I didn't play football at such a level I can only tell you what my dad who played for years in the top flight in England and Scotland used to say to me.
Dad always maintained that once you got into the game you were so focused and determined that you hardly noticed the crowd at all and just got on with your game.
Actually makes sense when you think of it. It is only 11 v 11 at the end of the day. Hopefully if our guys can get off to a good start on Sunday it will lead to another dominating performance and a great win.
Maybe some of the guys on here who did play at a high level can comment on how they used to approach away games when the fans can be intimidating?
16 Sep 2026 13:50:11
Great question seeker. I think both can be true at the same time mate, teams coming to Ibrox laser focused doesn't really affect them, but we've also saw the flip side of that were teams have been absolutely spooked by the volume inside Ibrox. I think our European run to the final was testament to that, also remember European manager saying his team just crumbled under the intense atmosphere inside Ibrox.
I think players can find a bit extra with 50, 000 fans behind them, like sunday were our boys pressed them all over tha park fir 90 minutes, was actually waiting on them tiring but they never did, but that can also work against you as well.
16 Sep 2026 13:57:53
We should take a leaf out of Artetas book and have our players training all week with the Celtic crowd noise blaring from a tannoy, then by the time Sunday comes it will just be background noise and the players can ignore it.
16 Sep 2026 14:04:38
I never played at the highest level, but I did play in what I would call big games a handful of times. Both of the above points are correct. When you have a lot of people airing their opinion at you it can just be noise.
What was more common was when Auld Wullie and his wee dug were on their own and he was shouting at you for letting a player get by you or for letting the ball go out etc, believe me you can hear that clearly!
16 Sep 2026 14:07:17
Great response boyblue. I can actually see both sides of it and could also bring in another factor - it depends on the individual as well - I'd imagine players like Makhanya and Sterling might feel less affected by the crowd than maybe Gassama or Curtis might be. In the past I doubt if the likes of Ian Ferguson or Souness would have given a toss about that kind of thing where maybe some of the younger players might struggle with it.
In my dad's case he was a hard as nails no nonsense centre half who would never have shed away from a hard tackle so that's why he probably wasn't really affected.
I hope Derek instills the same mindset into the squad as last week. If so we won't be far away.
16 Sep 2026 14:08:13
and i assure you where your name is specifically mentioned you do hear it also.
16 Sep 2026 14:16:11
Auld Wullie and his dug! Class 😆.
16 Sep 2026 14:20:30
I do remember getting some horrible stick from an individual at a youth level away match up the Braes area (Whitecross I think) in Falkirk geesa. Tbh it didn't really bother me and in fact spurred me on to try and do better and kick the opposition even harder 😁.
16 Sep 2026 14:34:04
Seeker, I stay on the back road between Whitecross and Linlithgow, mate.
16 Sep 2026 14:44:46
Having played at both Ibrox and Parkhead, the noise as you came out the tunnel made hairs on back of neck stand up. Once that whistle went then it was just background noise that most guys weren't affected by. If anything you raised your game.
Consider the fact that smaller teams like Caley thistle, ross county, Livingston etc don't have much traveling support and tend to play well when they go down to Glasgow. That is close to having no fans.
16 Sep 2026 14:45:04
Seeker I never played football at a high level but I did compete in Karate for 16 years and fought in Netherlands, France and Italy. I can say that once the fight started I had absolutely zero awareness of the crowds, families, etc. Only thing I could hear or see was my opponent and the referee, during stoppages I could hear my coach. That was it.
16 Sep 2026 15:09:52
My star, hope you have a few security cameras installed. Only kidding pal, the park at Whitecross was on the main road, on the right as you approached from the Falkirk side. Just remember the game turning into a kicking match.
They were tough lads in Whitecross!
Slimjim, thanks for the info. It kind of bears out what my dad was saying 👍
Ayrshire, sounds like the same effect, despite it being a different sport. Wouldn't want to get you riled up pal 🫣.
16 Sep 2026 15:35:26
Seeker, only one park in Whitecross, I must be around around 1 1/2 miles from that park, love where I'm staying mate, next house is about 1/2 mile away.
16 Sep 2026 15:51:55
Sounds ideal my star. I used to live in the country years ago and loved the isolation. I'd go back in a heartbeat. The wife likes company round about her, says I"m just a miserable sod if I bring up the subject. 😤.
16 Sep 2026 17:19:28
Think it's depends on the player themselves, must just be a loud drone in back ground when playing in front of that amount of supporters, always thought it was harder at junior games as you can hear individuals abuse you personally, just imagine the crowd are backing you instead of against you on Sunday we be ok.