Matthew Lindsay
Rangers 2-2 Celtic
THE meetings between Celtic and Rangers this season have, with a raft of new players arriving at Parkhead and Ibrox and two new managers in the dugouts, been difficult to call.
What will happen in the encounter between the first and second-placed sides in the cinch Premiership in Govan tomorrow is nigh on impossible to predict.
Both teams have been brilliant at times this term, both teams have been poor on occasion. I suspect the 90 minutes will end in a draw.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team have a point to prove following their 3-0 humiliation in the East End last month. Starting with Ryan Jack in midfield will make a difference to them. So will the presence of Aaron Ramsey further forward.
Not having their first choice striker Alfredo Morelos is a blow. But Kemar Roofe is a more than adequate replacement for the Colombian.
Having the majority of the 50,000-strong crowd roaring them on will give them a huge advantage over their city rivals too.
Ange Postecoglou’s men were unfortunate to lose 1-0 in Govan in August. But they have improved greatly since that reverse. Jota, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda were not involved that day. All four of them are in fine form just now.
Postecoglou revealed Kyogo Furuhashi is available for selection again yesterday. But the Greek-Australian has no need to risk the Japanese forward from the start given the options he has at his disposal in the final third.
It should be a classic.
Chris Jack
Rangers 1-1 Celtic
This one is, quite simply, a must-win for Rangers. A draw leaves Celtic in pole position in the title race and a defeat would see their Old Firm rivals striding towards the finishing line in the Premiership.
The loss of Alfredo Morelos could be the deciding factor at Ibrox and it seems like a tall order for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side to clinch all three points without their main attacking threat. Before a ball is kicked, Rangers are on the back foot.
Van Bronckhorst will have learned from the embarrassing defeat at Parkhead and Rangers shouldn’t make the same mistakes twice. There is little between the sides and not having Morelos could deny the champions the edge when they need it most.
Graeme McGarry
Rangers 1 Celtic 1
The title may not be won or lost during Sunday’s game at Ibrox, but Celtic know they can take a massive step towards being crowned champions if they can simply avoid defeat and maintain their three-point advantage at the top of the Premiership.
That fact isn’t likely to change Ange Postecoglou’s approach to the match, with the Celtic manager certain to send his men out to attack and to win, but I fancy that Rangers will provide a sterner test than they did at Celtic Park in February.
Yes, Giovanni van Bronckhorst may be without Alfredo Morelos, but set-pieces remain a source of concern for Celtic, and Rangers could capitalise on that weakness as they did in the home win over their rivals in August.
Celtic have improved hugely since that day though, and I don’t think Rangers will be able to keep them out a the other end. I think a draw therefore is most likely, and Celtic will certainly be the happier of the two teams should that come to pass.
Kenneth Ward
Rangers 1 Celtic 1
While only three points and a significant goal-difference advantage separate Celtic and Rangers at the top of the Premiership table, there seems to be a feeling in Scottish football that Ange Postecoglou's side are miles out in front. But in the first genuine title race in over a decade, I suspect more twists and turns to come.
A win for Celtic would mark a significant step towards reclaiming a title they have had stitched into their DNA over the previous 10 years, while victory for Giovanni van Bronckhorst's champions would put them in touching distance of their rivals at the summit.
Aidan Smith
Rangers 2 Celtic 1
All the pressure is on Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team heading into this one and I expect them to come out on top. The loss of Alfredo Morelos is huge, but now other players in the Ibrox squad must step up.
Kemar Roofe will likely be given the nod up top, and he has produced against Celtic before. Ryan Kent is another who can cause problems in the final third and he will have to have a big game.
I fully expect Celtic to get on the scoresheet, but I think they fall just short this time around.
Ewan Paton
Rangers 1 Celtic 0
In the last Old Firm I went for a Celtic victory due to their home advantage.
For more or less the same reason, I can see Rangers emerging as winners this time around.
Unlike some, I don’t see it being a particularly open, free flowing game with lots of goals. I think both teams will need to be assured and protective of their defences.
Rangers will sneak it to keep title race alive and kicking.
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