MARK WARBURTON is ready to take on Tony Mowbray in the battle of the former Old Firm bosses this afternoon.
The ex-Rangers gaffer led Nottingham Forest to a 2-0 win over Huddersfield to set up the Good Friday clash with the former Celtic chief’s Blackburn Rovers who lost 2-0 at home to Barnsley at the weekend.
Warburton, who left Ibrox in February in controversial circumstances, saw the City Ground outfit move onto the 45 point mark at the weekend, five above Mowbray’s strugglers who are third bottom of the Championship.
The Forest manager said: “We will do everything to make sure we are prepared for Blackburn and the details are key. Now we focus on that.
“The players will see the quality they have and they have to believe that if they do things right and work hard, they will get their rewards.
“We are delighted with three points against Huddersfield, which, of course, are vital at this stage of the season.
“But I was also delighted with the quality of the performance.
“I thought we moved the ball well, we were brave, we created chances and, in truth, we should have been two or three up by half-time.”
Mowbray thought he had it tough during his 10 disastrous months in charge at Celtic.
However, the former Hoops boss, whose short reign ended with the sack in March 2010, is now facing an uphill struggle to save Blackburn Rovers’ Championship status.
Rovers have not been in the third tier since 1979/80, but only a remarkable revival will prevent a return at the end of a wretched campaign.
Mowbray watched his strugglers lose at home to Barnsley last time out – their third consecutive defeat.
The latest setback – they have not won in seven games – leaves them third bottom of the league, four adrift of Bristol City.
Mowbray, who replaced axed Owen Coyle in February, said: “It’s always been a big job and the result against Barnsley obviously didn’t help.
“If you’re looking for a positive and a light at the end of the tunnel, the next two games are against Nottingham Forest and Bristol City.
“We have to go and try and take maximum points, of course.
“It’s a time to stick together, it’s a time not to pick holes in each other. It’s a time to find team spirit that will hopefully get us results.”
