Rangers midfielder Vanja Dragojevic has described the upcoming Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Celtic as "maybe the biggest derby on earth" and "maybe the craziest one - in a positive way".
The 20-year-old, who joined Rangers this summer from Partizan Belgrade, scored his first goal for the club in a 5-1 victory over St Mirren on Sunday. That win set up a meeting with Celtic at Ibrox next month.
Serbian derby experience
Dragojevic played in four Belgrade derbies against Red Star for Partizan, losing all of them. He said he spoke to players before joining Rangers who told him the Old Firm clash is the biggest derby in the world.
"When I spoke with lots of players before I came here, everyone said this is maybe the biggest derby on earth. And maybe the craziest one - in a positive way!" he said. "So I'm really happy that I have the privilege to be part of it and maybe play in it."
The Serbian said the Belgrade derby is about more than football, and he is enjoying the atmosphere in Glasgow. "I enjoy it here. This is a great country, with great people. I'm surprised how warm the people are here," he said.
Stunning volley
Dragojevic's goal against St Mirren was a 25-yard volley into the top corner, putting Rangers 2-0 up. He called it the best strike of his career so far.
"Have I scored a better goal in my career? No. For sure. Better than this? I think never. It was a great feeling," he said. "The most important thing was that I helped the team to win."
Manager Derek McInnes had instructed Dragojevic to stay outside the box and be ready for a shot, a tactic that worked. The midfielder said he is good at "second balls" and that "when you do the right things every day outside of the pitch, God gives you something you deserve".
Difficult start
Rangers have had a tough start to the season, having been eliminated from the Europa League and failing to win their first two Premiership games. Dragojevic is one of 10 new signings adapting to life at Ibrox.
He said the win over St Mirren can boost confidence ahead of the Conference League play-off first leg against Czech side Jablonec on Thursday. "We needed a win like this because we had a tough time in the last few games," he said.
"Sunday's game has given us this. This is a big, big club. Every player who plays football wants to be at a club like this," he added. "I can say already that I feel like I'm at home here."
