RAGING AMBITION; Celtic tie gives Berwick striker Gribben chance to press claims for a full-time career and shake off his reputation as a hothead.(Sport)

Byline: Fraser Mackie

ARANGERS supporter who admits to a little history of anger-management issues on the field up against derby winners Celtic today sounds like a combustible scenario unlikely to result in a positive career change for the former.

Darren Gribben has, however, had enough of being wasteful. Today's match represents one of the more high-profile outlets to channel his talent in the right direction this season, as he bids to rid himself of a reputation built on, as his manager politely describes, being 'a wee bit wayward'.

'Darren can score a wonder goal in any company -- against Rangers, Celtic, whoever,' explained Berwick boss Jimmy Crease. 'He's got that in his locker. Darren is getting a bit more mature now and should certainly be playing at a higher level. He doesn't score tap-ins. If he plays on Sunday and gets a chance, I'll put my money on him scoring.' So why is this 24-year-old striker -- who has played for nine clubs, including Junior side Bo'ness last year, since entering senior football with Hamilton in 2003 -- not operating at a higher level than the Scottish Third Division?

'Probably my attitude,' Gribben admitted. 'Probably shouting at refs doesn't help. A lot of players do it but maybe sometimes I went overboard.I am trying to calm that down a bit because managers won't look at people who have bad attitudes all the time.

'Maybe I get a yellow card now and again but it sticks in managers' heads because people talk, don't they? People say: "Oh Darren Gribben, don't touch him" and "blah de blah". I have only had one red card and that was when we got beaten 6-0 away to Peterhead. I told the ref he was a cheating *****.'

In fact, if Gribben retains the ability that prompted David Baikie to suggest he'd scored two of the best goals ever seen at Hampden -- including internationals and cup finals -- while with Cowdenbeath against Queen's Park, then the only one doing the cheating is the player to himself.

'I think never having had a shot at full-time football has been the problem, too,' Gribben contested. 'If you're in training every day, then you're obviously going to be a lot fitter.

'I go to the gym sometimes but, as you can see, I don't do much weights. I just do running when I can. I really am just trying to knuckle down. I am only 24, so I do still hope I will get a chance at full-time football.'

Gribben, certainly, has time on his side if the example of Gareth Wardlaw is to be followed. He was handed his top-flight chance by St Mirren at the age of 31 after Danny Lennon moved through the divisions to take the job in Paisley last summer.

But, guess what? There's another hard-luck story from Gribben connected to that case.

'Danny Lennon was going to sign me for Cowdenbeath when I left Berwick the first time round a few years ago,' he revealed. 'But, because they were in Division Three, I went to Berwick in Division Two because I wanted to play higher up. Then, about three weeks after I signed, Cowdenbeath got promoted by default and Livingston came down. So I probably made a mistake there.'

Gribben is unemployed outside his part-time football work but was used to taking his frustrations out on Berwick opponents until injury in early November halted a prolific scoring spell.

When fit, he has certainly been productive on the park, notching up 12 goals in only 10 outings so far this term.

'I have had a few bits and pieces of work over the years, but I left school without any qualifications so it was a case of just trying anything at all, labouring etc. But, at this moment in time, there's just nothing at all,' said Gribben. 'I have been on the internet and at the Job Centre every day, near enough. But to work in a factory, packing boxes even, you always get told that you need "experience".'

With experience aplenty in the lower leagues of the Scottish game, Gribben pines for the opportunity of a change of scene which he feels could improve his focus as well as his overall game.

Perhaps he will catch the eye on television this afternoon when Neil Lennon's side provide the opposition for the biggest game of his roving career so far.

'If I can do well this season then, hopefully, I'll be in with a shout of something,' he stressed. 'I always wanted to go down to England. Maybe League Two or the Conference would be something to try.

'There is a lot of hype and if you play down there you are full-time and the money is pretty decent. If a manager took a chance on me, then it would be pretty good.

'So we'll see what else I can do this season and, hopefully, I've got a big game against Celtic to play in. This is a dream. I'm a Rangers fan, so I am looking forward to it.

'I am a striker. I just like to take on defenders because, deep down, I believe if I'm one-on-one with someone then I've a chance of scoring.

'But Celtic played well in defence last Sunday. Kenny Miller is the top goalscorer in Scotland and he never got a sniff. If they play like that again, it will be very difficult for me.'

BERWICK RANGERS v CELTIC 3.30pm, Live on

CAPTION(S):

CHANCE TO SHINE: Berwick striker Gribben, a Rangers fan, is relishing taking on Celtic today