By Graham Ruthven
Bragging rights
The Scottish title race is over. There was never really one in the first place. Celtic will stroll to their fourth successive Scottish Premiership title no matter what unfolds against Rangers on Sunday. Old Firm derbies, however, always matter. Rangers won’t win the title on Sunday, but they could win bragging rights, and in Scotland they’re sometimes worth more.
16 points divide Glasgow’s big two at the top of the table and not even that fully illustrates the advantage Celtic currently hold over Rangers. Brendan Rodgers’ side lost the last derby, but that was something of an anomaly. Before that, Celtic swept aside their rivals in a 3-0 victory at Celtic Park and overcame Rangers in the Scottish League Cup final.
Interim manager Barry Ferguson has been hired to point the Ibrox club in the right direction again, something he did by guiding his team past Fenerbahçe into the Europa League quarter-finals. However, 120 minutes of gruelling continental action will have taken it out of Rangers. That could be a factor on Sunday.
On the balance of what we have seen in the Scottish Premiership, Celtic should coast to three points this weekend, but as the last meeting between these two rivals showed (when Rangers won 3-0) logic doesn’t always shine through on derby day.
Key players
Celtic will look to dominate possession in the centre of the pitch meaning Callum McGregor will be a key figure for the home team. Reo Hatate will also give the Hoops creativity in midfield with Arne Engels expected to complete the central unit.
Daizen Maeda will lead the line for Celtic with the Japanese forward frequently a thorn in the side of James Tavernier. Rodgers could opt for Adam Idah as a more orthodox centre forward, but Maeda’s pace gives Celtic a different dimension in the final third.
At the back, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty will give Celtic a sound defensive foundation with Alistair Johnston a funnel into the attack down the right side.
Rangers’ strategy could see them play on the break like they did to great effect in the away victory over Fenerbahçe last week. This would put the onus on Václav Cerny and Cyriel Dessers to carry the attack in open space.
There will be pressure on the likes of Jack Butland and John Souttar in front of him to keep the Celtic forward line at arm’s length. Meanwhile, Tavernier is always a threat from set pieces.
Team news
Both Celtic and Rangers will have a relatively clean bill of health for Sunday’s Old Firm Derby.
Paulo Bernardo and James Forrest are both injury doubts for Celtic while Robin Propper is also carrying a knock for Rangers although it’s not known yet if the latter will have any fresh injuries after Thursday’s penalty shootout win over Fenerbahçe.
Rodgers’ biggest decision concerns who will start for Celtic at left back although Jeffrey Schlupp appears to have the edge over Greg Taylor at the moment.
Prediction
Celtic need less than a handful of wins to confirm the title, so a victory here, against the only side who can mathematically catch them would virtually secure that fourth straight league triumph. For that reason, we think Celtic will be going all out for the win: Celtic 2-0 Rangers.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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