Only one point behind the table-toppers in the embryonic Scottish Premiership table, Rangers entertain arch-rivals Celtic at the Ibrox for the first Old Firm showdown of the new season on Sunday afternoon.
There is a blockbuster Scottish Premiership clash on the horizon this Sunday as Rangers host Celtic in the Old Firm Derby this weekend, just four weeks into the new season, with both Scottish giants looking to gain an early advantage in the title race.
Rangers are only one point behind rivals Celtic as things stand. But they have already had an up-and-down start to their season. They opened the Scottish season with a shock 1-0 defeat at Kilmarnock but have recorded two wins in a row, including a 2-0 away triumph at Ross County last week.
However, they were embarrassed 5-1 by PSV Eindhoven in midweek as they were dumped out of the UEFA Champions League playoffs. Manager Michael Beale was measured in his post-match presser, but he will know his side has dropped a stinker as they tumble down into the Europa League.
In some sections of the fanbase, there almost seems to be a sense of solace that they won’t have to play in that elite competition again after being thrashed in every group-stage game last season. But performances like that won’t be appreciated in any European competition.
That said, there is no better way to erase all that has transpired than with a home victory against your perennial rivals, who are severely lacking in confidence under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers. After all, Celtic look miles off their best, and their shortcomings have been well-illustrated this season. They have already lost the chance to match last season’s treble after Kilmarnock ousted them from the Viaplay Cup.
And last week, a poor St. Johnstone side held them to a goalless draw at Parkhead. The Hoops have failed to score in their last two games, while they also have severe defensive concerns at the back. It is difficult to believe this same team clinched the treble in swashbuckling fashion just a couple of months ago.
There were six Old Firm games last season, and it took Rangers until the last one to finally get one over their fierce, although it was by then a meaningless encounter, with the title already on its way to the east end of Glasgow. Celtic won in both cup games, both clashes at Parkhead, and drew the first game at Ibrox. Ahead of the latest Old Firm derby this weekend, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams.
Team News & Tactics
Rangers
🎙️ Part Two | Michael Beale spoke to the media ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm match. pic.twitter.com/3ntWthWrEe
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) September 1, 2023
Rangers will be missing Kieran Dowell due to a knee issue, while long-term ACL victim Steven Davis, whose last outings arrived last year, and Ridvan Yilmaz, who is nursing a strain, are also in the treatment room.
Michael Beale ought to set his team up in a 4-3-1-2 formation in front of goalkeeper Jack Butland. John Souttar is a certain starter at the heart of the defence alongside Connor Goldson. But they will be hoping for a better outing than they had in the Netherlands. James Tavernier and Borna Barisic are undisputed starters at full-back positions and will charge up their respective flanks to offer attacking support relentlessly.
Captain Tavernier, in particular, has scored twice in two games, including in the PSV defeat, and may pose a real attacking threat. John Lundstrum will sit at the base of the Gers’ midfield and look to break up attacks, while Jose Cifuentes and Nicolas Raskin will provide energy in the middle of the park and provide cover for the full-backs when they push forward.
Operating in an advanced role in support of Rabbi Matondo, the onus was on flashy Todd Cantwell to be a finisher as well as a creator. Striker Cyriel Dessers, who has scored two goals and provided two assists in his last seven appearances, will likely lead the hosts’ attack.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Barisic; Cifuentes, Lundstrum, Raskin; Cantwell; Matondo, Dessers
Celtic
Celtic have several injury concerns of their own, with Cameron Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki, Stephen Welsh, Reo Hatate, and Marco Tilio all sidelined. But Oh Hyeon-gyu is back in training, while Liverpool loanee Nat Phillips could make his debut for the new club.
Brendan Rodgers’s second spell at Celtic has been off to a mixed start. The Northern Irish boss has put his own philosophy into action since taking over from Ange Postecoglou. But at present, that style of play is taking the team backwards. Regardless, he will be hoping his side responds better to his tactics than they have in the past two games.
In goal, Joe Hart will continue to remain the undisputed pair of hands for Celtic, who will line up in a 4-3-3 formation. In defence, Alistair Johnston will keep his spot at right-back, with Greg Taylor occupying the opposite flank.
💬 "We’ll go there and look to perform and play to the level we want to play, then we have a great chance of getting a result."
Brendan Rodgers previews Sunday's derby 📰 #RANCEL | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG🍀
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 2, 2023
Rodgers has limited central defensive options, which will result in a debut at the heart of the defence for loan signing Nat Phillips, who signed from Liverpool earlier this week. He will operate alongside Gustaf Lagerbielke.
Up ahead in midfield, Callum McGregor and David Turnbull will continue to retain their positions. Matt O’Riley, who has been in fine form this season with two goals in three games, will be looking to put in another good performance.
Up front, Liel Abada will replace Daizen Maeda on the right, fresh off of a new contract with the club. Yang Hyun-jun may also keep his starting berth from the last game, but exciting Honduran left-winger Luis Palma will be pushing for his debut, having only joined the club this week. Leading the line will be none other than SPFL goal-machine Kyogo Furuhashi.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Hart; Johnston, Phillips, Lagerkielke, Taylor; O’Reily, McGregor, Turnbull; Abada, Furuhashi, Yang
Key Stats
- Rangers are unbeaten at Ibrox this season, recording three wins in four games in all competitions.
- In fact, the hosts are undefeated in their last 22 league games, recording 19 wins and three draws at the Ibrox. Their last home loss in the Scottish Premiership came against Celtic in April 2022.
- Rangers have just one win in their last seven meetings against the visitors, with that win coming at home in the Premiership second phase in May.
- Though they have enjoyed the upper hand in recent meetings against Rangers, Celtic have recorded just one win in their last seven trips to the Ibrox.
Player to Watch
Liel Abada
Right winger Liel Abada has been in sparkling form for Celtic ever since arriving from Maccabi Petah Tikva back in 2021, achieving double-digit goals in each of the last two seasons. But there have been doubts over his long-term future at Celtic as he has been the subject of interest from some huge European clubs this past summer.
It has been reported that Celtic turned down a £7 million bid from Portugal’s Sporting CP for Abada before the Israeli winger committed to a new four-year deal with the Scottish champions, which comes as music to the ears of Hoops faithful. He has not been great so far this season, with his only goal of the season coming at Aberdeen a fortnight ago, and will need to get back to his devastating, clinical best.
An absolute viper in front of goal at times, Abada has been worth his weight in goals and assists from wide areas. He has a particular penchant for popping up in the box at the right time and has given many a defence in Scottish football a nightmare. And the Israeli winger is a key man in this fixture too, scoring three goals and registering an assist in his nine Old Firm appearances.
Prediction
Rangers 2-2 Celtic
It is the showpiece fixture of Scottish football, and we expect some fireworks this Sunday afternoon at the Ibrox. It has been a sticky start for both. And there are already questions being asked of both managers as we enter September.
Although the hosts are under intense pressure to bounce back after Wednesday’s humiliation, they have a huge opportunity to get back on the right track with victory at Ibrox, particularly in front of a packed home audience. But can they pounce on Celtic’s recent rotten form?
Both sides need a result here, and by that, we mean they both cannot really afford to lose. With bragging rights at stake, it promises to be tight, with neither party giving much away. There are still goals out there, as both defences are miles away from the steeliness they have shown in the recent past. And they have enough ammunition to hurt each other if it becomes an end-to-end affair like a basketball match. That is why The Hard Tackle is predicting an entertaining 2-2 share of honours here.
