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Match preview
For the 432nd time, it is derby day in Glasgow and, even though we’re only half way through this season, this game could go along way to determining the destination of the title.
In 2022, Celtic won three of five Old Firms, Rangers’ sole victory coming in the Scottish Cup semi-finals.
This included a 3-0 victory for the Hoops in February, and a 4-0 demolition when the two most-recently met in September.
In this New Years’ clash, can Rangers make home advantage count?
If there is to be a title race, Mick Beale’s team really need a win here, given that they kick off nine points adrift their fierce rivals.
Under Beale, the Light Blues have won four out of four so far, most recently swatting aside Motherwell 3-0 on Wednesday.
Rangers have now won 11 of 12 domestic home games this season, only dropping points against Livingston towards the end of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s tenure.
Celtic though, remarkably, have won 18 of 19 Premiership matches so far, victorious in all 12 since a shock defeat at St Mirren Park.
In mid-week, Aaron Mooy’s brace, Daizen Maeda’s beautiful curler and Kyōgo Furuhashi’s cool finish saw the Celts smash Hibs 4-0 at Easter Road.
So, in 2022, Ange Postecoglou’s team accumulated 102 points out of a possible 111, looking good to retain their title come May.
In this huge Bank Holiday Monday clash, will Celtic secure back-to-back Ibrox victories for the first time since 2018?
Rangers team news
Mick Beale is short of centre-back options, with Filip Helander, Leon King and John Souttar out injured.
Thus, Connor Goldson’s return is a major boost; James Sands could return as his partner, chosen over Ben Davies.
At left-back, Borna Barišić is available again, following his World Cup exploits, so will get the nod over teenager Adam Devine.
In midfield, Tom Lawrence, Ianis Hagi and now Steven Davis are all out long-term.
This saw Alex Lowry given an opportunity against Motherwell, although Glen Kamara is likely to come in for this one.
Up front, Antonio Čolak, who scored 14 times before the World Cup break, is out, meaning Alfredo Morelos will lead the line.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Sands, Barišić; Jack, Lundstram, Kamara; Tillman, Kent, Morelos.
Celtic team news
Ange Postecoglou toughest decision comes at right-back, where Tony Ralston is injured and Josip Juranović isn’t likely to feature ahead of a big-money move away.
Alistair Johnston has arrived from CF Montréal for $3 million, but isn’t likely to be thrown straight in is he?
If neither Johnston or Juranović start, midfielder Reo Hatate will continue to fill-in at right-back.
Another new signing, centre-back Yūki Kobayashi, is available, after moving from Vissel Kōbe, but isn’t likely to debut here.
That’s because Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers, who scored the winner at Ibrox in April, will continue at the back.
Those two have never lost any of the 33 Premiership games they’ve started together.
Further forward, Aaron Mooy’s brace, and all-round impressive display, at Hibs has surely earned him a start.
In attack, Jota has been on the bench for the last two games, but is in line to return here, probably with Liel Abada dropping out.
The Premiership’s top-scorer Kyōgo Furuhashi will lead the line, with Georgios Giakoumakis in reserve; Sead Hakšabanović is injured.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Hart; Hatate, Starfelt, Carter-Vickers, Taylor; McGregor, O’Riley, Mooy; Maeda, Jota, Kyōgo.
