DEAN SHIELS has been on the crest of a wave in the aftermath of Old Firm victory. Now he hopes he won’t have a sinking feeling when Rangers bid for Hampden glory on Sunday.

The Northern Irishman is one of the few players in the Light Blues squad who has seen Celtic clashes at close hand and who can relate to the passion in the stands on derby day.

Shiels made a handful of trips across the water to see his boyhood heroes in action as a kid and returned home high on the elation of victory or suffering the depths of despair.

The midfielder had to watch on from the Hampden bench when the Old Firm rivalry was renewed in the League Cup last season as Celtic ran out comfortable 2-0 winners.

But he is eager to play his part this time around as Mark Warburton’s side look to overcome the odds and keep their Treble dreams alive on Sunday afternoon.

“I grew up going to Old Firm games and watching them back home on the TV,” Shiels said.

“It will be a special one for me, but it is only great if you win. It would be a bitter taste if we didn’t win and it will only be a good day if it goes our way.

“The Albertz ones stick out for me, especially the dribble one where he just kept going and stuck it in. There are many games when Rangers were dominating and the Old Firm games are great days when you win them.

“I came across with my family and youth club. It was good. They are great games but we need to stay grounded and focus on the job in hand.”

It has been a momentous few days for Warburton’s side as they clinched the Championship title with victory over Dumbarton at Ibrox and then finally got their hands on the Petrofac Training Cup as Peterhead were beaten 4-0 at the weekend.

If Rangers can see off their Old Firm rivals on Sunday, they would be just 90 minutes away from turning a good season into a great one in Warburton’s first campaign north of the border.

The Gers will once again be roared on by a sold-out Light Blues section and Shiels is determined to send the fans home happy from Hampden.

He said: “The most important focus was the league and we were all delighted to get that out of the way. Now we can focus on the Scottish Cup.

“This club should be in cup finals and now it is Celtic who are standing in our way so hopefully we can put that to bed at the weekend.

“They are a good team and it will be difficult but we feel as though we are more than good enough.

“It is like that at every game, the fans always follow us in their numbers. Even in the Third Division they were turning out in huge numbers.

“I think we owe the fans something this year and hopefully we can repay them by winning on Sunday. I think that will be the happiest they will have been for a while if we can win.”

After savouring the celebrations in the aftermath of the wins over Dumbarton and Peterhead that clinched their first two medals of the season, Rangers now have a chance to get another party started at Hampden.

The build-up to the Celtic showdown, and the 90 minutes that will unfold on Sunday, will be a new experience for the majority of Warburton’s squad.

But Shiels reckons the way the Gers have handled the pressure and lived up to the expectation throughout the campaign will stand them in good stead on Sunday.

He said: “It seems like the game has been forever coming so we are all looking forward to it and hopefully it is a good day. We have had so much to play for so it has not been a distraction.

“We have known it was there but the main focus was the league and then the Petrofac Cup so we haven’t taken our eye off the ball.

“Everyone knows it is a big game and there will obviously be a hype but we have got to stay grounded and focus on the job in hand and that is going out to try and get into the final.

“It has been a good season and it helps that the team have been winning most of the time.

“We haven’t had many hard times this season and that is down to the hard work that has been put in by the players. We are a young squad and we have dealt with being Rangers players very well.”

With potentially four Old Firm fixtures to come next term, there is plenty to look forward to for supporters as they set their sights on the Premiership title once again.

The last meeting between the Glasgow rivals was a tame affair as Kenny McDowall’s side set out on a damage limited exercise and goals from Kris Commons and Leigh Griffiths clinched a comfortable win for Ronny Deila’s side.

But Shiels is confident Rangers will give a far better account of themselves this time around as Warburton sets out his stall with typical attacking intentions.

He said: “We will approach it in a positive manner, and last year we didn’t do that. With this manager, that is the only way we want to play.

“You have seen that in every game this season, we want to win every game and this one will be no different. That has been our emphasis all year, to play on the front foot and attack the opposition and score more goals than them.

“I don’t think we will change that for any opposition. It was still a big game and we had to go out and do our best.

“But last year was not acceptable. We need to try and put that right this year.”

*SUMMER FUN AT RANGERS SOCCER SCHOOLS

Looking for something exciting for the kids to do in the summer holidays?

The Rangers Summer Football Courses at the Ibrox Community Complex and the Rangers Training Ground in Milngavie are the perfect way for your son or daughter to spend the holidays in a fun and safe football environment.

The courses are open to boys and girls aged between 5-16 years of all abilities, from beginners to talented players. Our professional team of Rangers coaches will deliver technique focused sessions that will challenge the kids to maximise their potential with innovative sessions replicating that of the first team and the Rangers Youth Academy.

Participants will be suitably grouped together under the guidance of the highly qualified coaches to progress individual abilities, develop skills, meet new friends and most importantly have fun.

The Rangers Coaches will also be looking to identify potential Light Blues heroes of the future to recommend to the Elite Football Centre and join the abundance of youth players who have already been talent spotted from Rangers Soccer School courses.

Summer holiday courses will take place at the Ibrox Community Complex and the Rangers Training Ground in Milngavie during June and July and are available as half or full day classes for kids aged 5-16.

Half day courses are priced at £45 (10am–12 noon) and full day courses at £80 (10am–3pm). To book or for further details on the summer soccer schools programme please call the FITC Administrator on 0141-580 8819.