Old Firm should be embraced by Scottish football, says McLeish
The Scotland boss hopes that football is the talking point after Sunday's potential title-clincher
Alex McLeish believes Scottish football should embrace the Old Firm rivalry instead of being fearful of the consequences of title deciders.
However the Scotland boss has urged both sets of supporters to make sure that football proves to be the talking point once all is said and done in Sunday's Parkhead clash.
Celtic will clinch the Ladbrokes Premiership trophy if they beat Rangers, after defeat by Hibernian last weekend delayed their title party.
The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has been keen to ensure the Glasgow pair are kept apart on days which might potentially decide the title.
A 1999 Old Firm encounter in which Rangers won the title at Celtic Park saw referee Hugh Dallas hit by a coin, some home supporters invade the pitch and Rangers players pelted with missiles after they celebrated with a Celtic-style huddle.
But McLeish believes Scottish football should accentuate the positives of the rivalry.
"They are two powerful clubs, two fantastic supports, but they have to show dignity in these games - win, lose or draw - and enjoy the spectacle,'' the former Rangers manager said.
"We are lucky to have this derby. People all over the world want to see the Celtic-Rangers, Rangers-Celtic game before a lot of other huge clubs.
"It is a spectacle to behold. If everybody can keep their control, we should be proud of that.''
Celtic beat Rangers 4-0 in the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals this month and are unbeaten in 10 meetings between the teams - but McLeish warned that the fixture does not always go as expected.
"I can imagine the week that (Rangers boss) Graeme Murty had after the Celtic game, but you bounce back with a good result,'' said McLeish as he launched the Scottish Football Hall of Fame nominations process.
"Celtic have got to be huge favourites, certainly on recent form and the recent result. But there is always hope in these games for the opposition who haven't been doing very well. Rangers haven't done well in these games.
"The odds will be stacked against them but you can never say an Old Firm game is going to go exactly to plan.'