Efe Ambrose is relishing the prospect of running out at Ibrox tomorrow and has warned Rangers that Hibs will be up for the fight.
The Nigeria internationalist spent five years at Celtic before leaving in the summer but, with his Parkhead arrival coinciding with Rangers’ demotion to the bottom division in 2012, he never tasted action in an Old Firm game.
The 28-year-old will have an immediate opportunity to taste the Ibrox atmosphere after teaming up again with former Celtic manager Neil Lennon by signing a permanent deal this summer.
Lennon, Ambrose, and fellow former Celtic players Anthony Stokes and Dylan McGeouch are certain to be given a red-hot reception at Ibrox.
Ambrose, who scored in Tuesday night’s 5-0 hammering of Ayr United in the Betfred Cup, is convinced the Easter Road outfit will be ready for the challenge.
He said: “We know they are a great team, it’s a great stadium and they have a great history, too. They are a team we have to give respect to.
“But, at the same time, football is football and the most important thing is how you prepare for the game.
“We are going there to give them a fight and we’ll see. The best team will win the game.”
Ambrose, who angered Lennon by returning late from his summer break, has slotted in to a Hibs defence that has plenty of options as they bid to shut out their 2016 Scottish Cup final rivals.
However, Ambrose is hopeful the Edinburgh side will also be able to highlight their attacking threats after a double from Stokes on Tuesday helped take their tally to 21 goals in six competitive matches.
He added: “We know if we get a chance we need to utilise it, because last season we had several chances but weren’t scoring goals.
“This season, with [Simon] Murray, Stokesy coming in, [Martin] Boyle, [John] McGinn, everybody, there are lots of people able to score – defenders, midfielders, strikers. It makes it difficult for the opposition.”
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