The incredible talent rejects Celtic and Rangers ‘biggest derby’ tag as…
The Old Firm is often labelled the biggest derby in the UK but Jordan Pickford disagrees
There’s no place like home for Jordan Pickford, who believes that Sunderland vs Newcastle rivals the Old Firm derby for the biggest rivalry in the UK – with the Tyne-Wear clash being drawn against each other in the FA Cup.
It will be the first north-east clash in over six years as a result of different fortunes both on and off the pitch for the two clubs. Whilst Newcastle have had the fairytale success of a huge financial takeover, multi-million pound signings and Champions League football to boot, Sunderland have spent four years in League One since their last clash and only recently have they looked anywhere near returning to the Premier League, having lost in the Championship play-off semi-final last season.
It’s arguably the biggest clash of the third round, and it’s prompted former players of both clubs to hype the game up ahead of what is a hotly anticipated game. Pickford, who grew up as a Sunderland fan born and bred, was asked about the clash on beIN Sports – and he named it as the joint-biggest derby in the UK alongside Celtic vs Rangers, to deny the Old Firm rivalry from its usual number 1 spot.
Pickford said: “Personally in the country I don’t think there is a bigger derby [than Newcastle vs Sunderland]. I think it’s on a par with Celtic vs Rangers.
“For me it’s one of the biggest derbies, atmosphere-wise. It’s a great day out. For me the atmosphere is right up there.”
Celtic vs Rangers is merely days away, with the clash between the two coming on December 30 at Parkhead in what is already a title six-pointer.