The Glasgow Derby on Sunday will allow Rangers or Celtic the opportunity to draw first blood in the Scottish Premier League title race. Both Old Firm teams have won all eight of their opening games in the SPL, and in addition Rangers have made an unbeaten start to UEFA Champions League play.
This game is a case of the irresistible force meeting the immovable object. The game has massive implications for the SPL title race and Celtic coach Neil Lennon expressed concern that referee Willie Collum is taking charge of his first Old Firm clash. “I would say that refereeing an Old Firm game at any time is difficult but when it is your first one, he might be a wee bit extra nervous,” Lennon told the BBC website. It is likely these comments are mind games designed to influence the referee, as Lennon followed up saying “We felt aggrieved at some of the decisions that went against us last time.”
Lennon has led Celtic to eight wins and played some exciting football so far this season. Gary Hooper, Shaun Maloney and Gergios Samaras are all finding the net regularly and will look to put Rangers under pressure here. Lennon made his attacking intentions clear in a BBC interview this week. “The onus is on us because we are the home team,. We have to try and take the game to Rangers at every opportunity we can,” said the Bhoy’s coach.
Daryl Murphy and James Forrest will both miss out for Celtic with injury.
Rangers have successfully employed a lone forward system in their European fixtures and may do so again here at Celtic Park. A tie on the road would not be a bad result for Rangers and as a result Kenny Miller may be deployed as a lone forward. Rangers coach Walter Smith is under no illusions as to how difficult a trip to Celtic Park could be. “if you look at how well Celtic have started, you realize its going to be a big game,” said Smith.
Kirk Broadfoot and Le McCulloch should return from injury, while forward James Beattie remains a doubt with a hip injury.
KEY PLAYERS
Joe Ledley (Celtic) – Rangers will likely pack the midfield and set up with a lone forward. Midfielder Ledley must win possession and move the ball into open spaces for the Celtic attack to hit their stride against Rangers. The former Cardiff man has the ability to play possession passes, and also join the attack to contribute goals and assists.
Kenny Miller (Rangers) – Miller is in red hot form and has netted 11 league goals so far and could be deployed as a lone forward in a 5-4-1 system here. If Rangers aim to pack the defensive and midfield areas it is imperative that Miller can threaten at the other end to keep Celtic honest. Miller may not get many chances, but if he can convert any that od come his way he could send the points back to Ibrox.
PREDICTION: Celtic 1 Rangers 1. The bitter Old Firm rivals preserve their unbeaten records and keep the pressure on each other in the title race.
Lennon has led Celtic to eight wins and played some exciting football so far this season. Gary Hooper, Shaun Maloney and Gergios Samaras are all finding the net regularly and will look to put Rangers under pressure here. Lennon made his attacking intentions clear in a BBC interview this week. “The onus is on us because we are the home team,. We have to try and take the game to Rangers at every opportunity we can,” said the Bhoy’s coach.
Daryl Murphy and James Forrest will both miss out for Celtic with injury.
Rangers have successfully employed a lone forward system in their European fixtures and may do so again here at Celtic Park. A tie on the road would not be a bad result for Rangers and as a result Kenny Miller may be deployed as a lone forward. Rangers coach Walter Smith is under no illusions as to how difficult a trip to Celtic Park could be. “if you look at how well Celtic have started, you realize its going to be a big game,” said Smith.
Kirk Broadfoot and Le McCulloch should return from injury, while forward James Beattie remains a doubt with a hip injury.
KEY PLAYERS
Joe Ledley (Celtic) – Rangers will likely pack the midfield and set up with a lone forward. Midfielder Ledley must win possession and move the ball into open spaces for the Celtic attack to hit their stride against Rangers. The former Cardiff man has the ability to play possession passes, and also join the attack to contribute goals and assists.
Kenny Miller (Rangers) – Miller is in red hot form and has netted 11 league goals so far and could be deployed as a lone forward in a 5-4-1 system here. If Rangers aim to pack the defensive and midfield areas it is imperative that Miller can threaten at the other end to keep Celtic honest. Miller may not get many chances, but if he can convert any that od come his way he could send the points back to Ibrox.
PREDICTION: Celtic 1 Rangers 1. The bitter Old Firm rivals preserve their unbeaten records and keep the pressure on each other in the title race.
