Max was raised on Old Farm..he'll be unfazed in Old Firm

Glasgow is a different world to East Anglia but he's ready says McGovern

- BY FRASER WILSON

MAX AARONS was handed a Norwich baptism of fire in the derby jokingly dubbed the Old Farm.

The then 18-year-old refused to be cowed by Ipswich fans in that league debut at Portman Road seven years ago.

But the Rangers new boy will soon discover handling the beast that is the Old Firm is a country mile from the Old Farm.

Few would deny the intensity of the East Anglian derby falls short of the fiery furnace of Glasgow's bitter contest.

But still, for a young Canary hoping to take flight, there was hardly a bigger or more intimidating fixture to start out than that 1-1 draw on enemy territory.

Rather than have his wings clipped, the full-back rose to the challenge. So much so that Daniel Farke couldn't drop him back out of the team.

Aarons went on to make 41 league appearances that season as Norwich stormed to the Championship title.

And for former Carrow Road team-mate Michael McGovern, that day in Ipswich was all the proof he needed that Aarons is the real deal.

The former Celtic keeper knows few footballing rivalries compare to what lies in store for Russell Martin's first signing.

But he has no doubt Aarons is built for the massive challenge.

McGovern, who spent seven years at Norwich, said: "I know Max well and we used to sit beside each other in the dressing-room.