For Rangers head coach Jo Potter it is when “we’ll see what we’re made of”. For Celtic counterpart Fran Alonso, or so he insists, it’s just about maintaining his side’s 100% start to the Scottish Women’s Premier League season.
However, whichever way they want to portray it, Sunday’s first Old Firm derby of the SWPL campaign could go a long way to deciding who lifts the trophy at the end of the season.
Currently, Celtic lead the way, with last season’s runners-up two points ahead of Rangers, while reigning champions Glasgow City are three further back in what should be another tight three-way title race.
One way or another, either Celtic or Rangers will be top of the table come the end of Sunday’s game at Excelsior Stadium.
It will not be Potter’s first taste of facing Celtic in charge of Rangers, but she expects this one to be even more “competitive” than July’s Glasgow Cup final, which her side won 2-1 at their own home ground at Broadwood Stadium.
The former England midfielder admits the importance of such games was “made known” as soon as she was appointed this summer.
“We know it’s the last game of the first round of fixtures, so there’s always going to be a little bit of emphasis on it with there being two points in it at the moment,” Potter said.
“We know that the league can be swung in these games, but we also know that there’s games that are close throughout the season as well, with the likes of Hibs and Hearts and everybody else that can cause upsets.”
Rangers’ only blip, if it can be considered that, came in a draw at home to City and, despite being two points behind Sunday’s hosts, they have matched Celtic’s high scoring to such an extent that they have identical goal difference – 52 goals for and only six against.
With City having found the net a mere 31 times in comparison, and having lost a decisive late winner away to Celtic a couple of weeks ago, the momentum could be shifting in favour of the two sides backed by the financial clout of Scottish Premiership clubs.
“I want to see us maintain that ruthlessness in front of goal,” Potter said. “But I want us to not feel the pressure and make sure we go out there and put on a performance.”
Indeed, she stressed that the result might not be decisive considering the sides will have to play another three times before the season ends.
And Potter suggested “I still don’t think we’re a million miles away and we know that we can get there” even if Rangers do not win on Sunday.
Alonso, too, was playing down the special significance of Sunday’s game.
“For us, every game is always the biggest game of the season,” the Spaniard said. “So, right now, of course, Sunday is a huge game for us, just like every game is.
“If you ask me if that game is going to be key for what is going to happen towards the end of the season, I would say definitely not. It’s about more than the opposition that we face – we are focusing on keeping these incredible levels of performance.”
Alonso has been surprised by his team’s “very high standard” at the start of the season, considering the high turnover of players during the summer break.
“The way they have settled, how quickly they have done that, and also the football they are playing, is quite incredible,” he said. “Everyone is flying and it is very difficult to get into the team because your team-mate fighting for the same position is flying as well.
“Of course, we know we are going to face a tough opponent that are doing well so far this season too. It’s going to be a tough test, but we are confident going into the game and we think, if we play at our level, we can get the three points.”
Of course, a stalemate between their Glasgow rivals would probably suit a City side who kick off an hour later at home to second-bottom Montrose as the title holders look to bounce back from their midweek Champions League play-off exit away to Brann in Norway.
