Image from BBC Sport

With news coming out of Parkhead today of former Rangers striker Kenny Miller’s pre-contract agreement being signed with Celtic, it brings back some memories of that most infamous of Old Firm signings in 1989 when Maurice Johnston signed for Rangers from Nantes after publicly having claimed to be going back to Celtic. While the Kenny Miller case isn’t quite as high profile as that of Johnston, it does open up some of the old wounds especially with the blue half of Glasgow having expressed an interest in making a move for the striker they sold on to Wolves only 18 disappointing months after signing him from Hibernian in 2000.

Celtic’s coup in signing the 26 year old Scottish international, coupled with Roy Keane’s recent signing, heaps further pressure on Rangers boss Alex McLeish as he battles to bridge the gap between Rangers and Celtic that has grown over a disappointing season in the Scottish Premier League for last year’s champions. Now, with their old rivals hoovering up one of the best young British strikers outside of the English Premiership on a Bosman free transfer, and added to the fact that he has a history in the blue shirt, fans will surely be asking how Rangers can be expected to compete not only on the pitch with Celtic but also in the transfer market as the Celtic Park pursestrings are loosened to help strengthen their position.

Times may have changed a little from Mo Johnston’s time when Miller does eventually pull on the green and white hooped jersey but he is guaranteed a hostile reception at Ibrox and it may take a few goals to win over some of the diehards within the Celtic support as well.

In Glasgow, there is no such thing as friendly football rivalry nor short memories.