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ROBBIE KEANE got a warm welcome to Ibrox on his one and only previous visit - Marvin Andrews style.

A crunching tackle after just 29 minutes of a pre-season friendly between Rangers and Spurs left the Irish striker writhing in agony on a stretcher.

The hitman sustained ankle damage and was carted round the track with the jeers of the home support ringing in his ears.

Every Keane touch was booed up until then after making no secret of his affection for Celtic prior to the game six years ago.

But former Gers' defender Andrews - whose challenge was hard but fair - insists if the frontman thinks he got it hard as a Spurs player he won't know what has hit him on Sunday when he makes his Old Firm bow for the Hoops.

It will be the first time Keane has been back at Ibrox since he was crocked in that 2-0 friendly win for Gers - and big Marv reckons he'll relish it.

He told Record Sport: "I remember the game against Spurs well and also the tackle. It was a fair challenge.Tobe fair to Robbie he'd made a great run and was about to score. I got a block on the ball and it ricocheted. I think that's what bent his ankle the wrong way and he suffered ligament damage.

"Unfortunately he was stretchered off early in the game. The Rangers fans weren't kind to him as they booed him while he was on the stretcher. That was a bit unfair as it was only a friendly.

"But it came because of statements he made before the game, saying how much he'd love to play for Celtic. I think that's where the booing came from. The Rangers fans weren't happy with that and they let him know.

"But if Robbie thought that was bad in a friendly he might be in for a shock on Sunday. I'm sure he'll get even more stick in a Celtic shirt."

Andrews admits Keane provided one of the toughest tests of his career when they locked horns that night - albeit for just half an hour. The big Trinidadian - now with Queen of the South - became a cult hero at Ibrox with his robust style that helped him win a league title in 2005 under Alex McLeish.

His popularity grew even further with Gers fans thanks to his tackle on Keane but the 34-year-old was pleased to see him return to action quickly.

He said: "I felt bad at the time about the tackle as it was only a friendly. He was preparing for Spurs' season and it was a shame he got injured like that.

"These things happen in football and I was pleased he seemed to recover from it quite quickly. He started the season for Spurs so I don't think there were any hard feelings from Robbie.

"He's a very intelligent player, he's so clever. Robbie likes to play on the shoulder of the defender and makes brilliant runs. He's also an excellent link-up player and connects with the midfielders.

"He was really difficult to play against - that was a big test for me as a defender. He's one of the top strikers in Britain. He's had a great career and I loved going up against him."

Despite the hot reception he will inevitably receive Andrews is convinced Celtic's loan striker will excel in the electric atmosphere of an Old Firm derby. After starring for Leeds, Inter Milan and Liverpool in his career, Marvin is sure Keane won't be intimidated by the crowd.

He said: "It should be an exciting game as Celtic need to win to stand any chance of winning the title this season and Rangers are playing really well.

"It won't faze Robbie - he'll look forward to that kind of challenge. He's played in big derbies in England, in Europe and in international football.

"He'll try to blank out the booing from the crowd and enjoy it. This is one of the biggest fixtures in world football and he'll want to savour that."