Graham Dorrans ready for Wolves
Saturday 18th December 2010, 10:28AM GMT.
Old Firm fan Graham Dorrans today insisted he is ready for tomorrow’s derby-day heat as he geared up for his first ever meeting with Wolves.
The Black Country derby rookie claims he is braced for the unique Black Country derby atmosphere after watching Rangers play Celtic and grabbing a sneak preview of a Baggies-Wolves clash.
The boyhood Rangers fan watched his heroes take on the Hoops as a boy before travelling south in 2008 – after signing for the Baggies and returning to Livingston on loan – to watch his current club win at Molineux.
“I watched a lot of Old Firm games and they are the sort of games you want to be involved with,” he said. “Watching Rangers play Celtic growing up made me realise they are massive games.
“I managed to get to one derby here after I signed. It was at the Molineux and we won 1-0, Zoltan (Gera) scored and the atmosphere was great. Once I saw that it was the sort of game I wanted to come down here and be involved in.
“I was surprised by how fierce it was. It is not known nationally to be biggest derby, but when I came down, I saw the atmosphere was great and knew the rivalry between the two teams was massive.”
Dorrans is expecting a blood and thunder affair in the first-ever Premier League meeting between the Baggies and Wolves.
But the Scotland international believes Albion can still find room to play their normal flowing football.
“I am sure the tackles will be flying in,” he said. “It’s a fierce rivalry. But hopefully we can keep our heads and play the good football that we play.”
“If we can do that, we should come out on top.
“The lads will stand up to be counted but, if we play the football we can play, we can beat anyone.”
Peter Odemwingie remains a major doubt for the Baggies with a calf problem but Youssouf Mulumbu is pushing hard for a midfield recall and Marek Cech, who had a torrid time at Villa last weekend, is under pressure at left-back from Nicky Shorey.
UK Sport
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