This Sunday is set to be an exciting match day for the Scottish Football fans around the world as the Rangers host Celtic in the biggest fixture in Scottish football.
Another edition of the famed Old Firm Derby is bound to me more fascinating this time around with fans being welcomed back into the stands for the first time in more than one and a half years.
With Rangers looking to retain their league title this season, Gerrard will be looking to get his side back on track after a shaky start to the league season. Though he will be pleased with the result of 0-0 draw against Alashkert which sees them make the group stage of Europa League.
The Gers were unbeaten last season but that was only until they lost to Dundee United earlier this month, Gerrard has also struggled to find his best starting XI so far but despite the struggles and disappointment, expect an explosive performance by Gerrard’s Rangers team against Celtic.
In what has been deemed as the season of a comeback for Celtic, the Hoops have gone under considerable changes, new manager, new player and surely a renewed hope and ambition of winning titles. Celtic have bridged the gap between them and the Gers from last season and will look to make a strong statement with a positive result at Ibrox. Probably the fixture that can decide the mood of this seasons Premiership challenge for either teams.
Celtic too made it to the group stages of the Europa League despite losing out to AZ Alkmaar but the aggregate score of 2-3 saw the Glasgow giants make it to the group stages of the Europa League. Now with European football secured, Ange Postecoglou will be looking to make progress in the league, surely much will be expected from his side after a considerable set of new additions who could feature against the Rangers.
Celtic do look strong coming into the game with their star striker Kyogo Furuhashi being in a good goal scoring form, the Japanese striker has netted in 7 goals already this season. Celtic have also bolstered their defensive lines, Joe Hart has been one of the notable signings who have been performing well and again he will be tested at Ibrox against their rivals.
Both the teams will be looking to get all three points and get an early advantage in the league table. Currently, both the teams are out of the top spot after mixed results in their openers of the league fixtures, both teams will look to get better of the other in grabbing all the three points and hit the top place in the league table.
Both the teams are yet to discover the best starting XI for them as new signings coming in and a few players are departing. So the onus now will be on the managers to get the best possible XI in the clash of Old Firm.
Here are our predicted starting XI line-ups for the Rangers vs Celtic fixture.
Rangers Predicted XI:
Robby McCrorie, Nathan Patterson, Goldson, Helander, Barisic, Aribo, Davis, Kamara, Hagi, Morelos, Kent
Rangers have 6 players isolating along with their manager Steven Gerrard after the outbreak of Covid-19 in the Rangers camp. So they will have to make the most of the above-mentioned players and get a positive result.
Celtic Predicted XI:
Hart, Ralston, Starfelt, Welsh, Montgomery, Christie, McGregor, Turnbull, Ababda, Edouard, Furushasi.
With Rangers winning the last 5 of the 6 Old Firm clashes, Surely now’s the time to get back at the Gers and get all the three points from the Rangers. With players in form and trust on Ange, Celtic supporters will want nothing other than all three points gained from the fixture.
All being said the outcome of the game and its impact on both the teams will only be known after the game on Sunday, with the potential to either wreck havoc on a one team’s morale and/or absolutely rejuvenate the mood in another.
Rangers form guide in the Scottish Premiership: W-L-W
Celtic form guide in the Scottish Premiership: W-W-L
Prediction : We say: Rangers 1-1 Celtic