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Neil Lennon has stoked up the passions for tonight’s derby against Blackburn Rovers, insisting: It means as much to me as any Old Firm game.
A veteran of dozens of Celtic-Rangers encounters as manager and player, the Wanderers boss isn’t worried that the televised Ewood Park clash will be on a smaller scale than those he became accustomed to north of the border.
Instead he urged his players and around 2,000 fans expected to make the short trip up the A666 to ensure the club goes into the international break on a high.
“Psychologically, it would be big for us to win, but also for a good performance,” he told The Bolton News.
“I know all about derbies – I played in many managed a few up the road.
“But this is as important as any of them to me. I know what’s at stake and I know how much it means to the supporters.
“You can’t really compare with the Glasgow derbies because they are two clubs in one city and arguably the two biggest in the country, historically. But Blackburn is only 20 minutes down the road. It’s a little different but by no means does that dampen the passion. It certainly doesn’t for me.
“I’ve seen both sides so far. The Boxing Day game was an amazing atmosphere and we won, but then in the corresponding game we lost to a late goal.
“There was nothing in either game and I’d expect it to be the same again.”
Just over 1,500 tickets had been sold yesterday, although they remain on sale from Wanderers this morning and fans can also pay on the gate at Ewood.
In transfer news, Lennon confirmed a deal has been agreed for Spanish full-back Juan Manuel Cosado, who has signed a one-year deal with the option of a further year.
But heading in the opposite direction yesterday was academy product Oscar Threlkeld, who was poised to join League Two Plymouth Argyle on loan.
Whether that signals the end of business before the deadline remains to be seen but there is a suggestion that a handful of younger players could be allowed to leave on loan, which could free up wages for one coming in if the right player became available.
The transfer window closes at 6pm on Tuesday because of the Bank Holiday.
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A veteran of dozens of Celtic-Rangers encounters as manager and player, the Wanderers boss isn’t worried that the televised Ewood Park clash will be on a smaller scale than those he became accustomed to north of the border.
Instead he urged his players and around 2,000 fans expected to make the short trip up the A666 to ensure the club goes into the international break on a high.
“Psychologically, it would be big for us to win, but also for a good performance,” he told The Bolton News.
“I know all about derbies – I played in many managed a few up the road.
“But this is as important as any of them to me. I know what’s at stake and I know how much it means to the supporters.
“You can’t really compare with the Glasgow derbies because they are two clubs in one city and arguably the two biggest in the country, historically. But Blackburn is only 20 minutes down the road. It’s a little different but by no means does that dampen the passion. It certainly doesn’t for me.
“I’ve seen both sides so far. The Boxing Day game was an amazing atmosphere and we won, but then in the corresponding game we lost to a late goal.
“There was nothing in either game and I’d expect it to be the same again.”
Just over 1,500 tickets had been sold yesterday, although they remain on sale from Wanderers this morning and fans can also pay on the gate at Ewood.
In transfer news, Lennon confirmed a deal has been agreed for Spanish full-back Juan Manuel Cosado, who has signed a one-year deal with the option of a further year.
But heading in the opposite direction yesterday was academy product Oscar Threlkeld, who was poised to join League Two Plymouth Argyle on loan.
Whether that signals the end of business before the deadline remains to be seen but there is a suggestion that a handful of younger players could be allowed to leave on loan, which could free up wages for one coming in if the right player became available.
The transfer window closes at 6pm on Tuesday because of the Bank Holiday.
Source
