Rangers v Celtic (today, 12.15pm, Sky Sports 1)?
MANAGERS
CELTIC boss Brendan Rodgers has been imperious domestically since taking over the Parkhead club in the summer and has already secured the Betfred Cup. The Carnlough man has won both his games against Rangers, a 5-1 Ladbrokes Premiership trouncing of the Light Blues at Parkhead in September and a 1-0 Betfred Cup semi-final win over the Gers at Hampden in October. Rangers boss Mark Warburton enjoyed a William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final penalty shoot-out win over Ronny Deila’s side last season. However, Rodgers, who can do no wrong in the eyes of the Celtic faithful at the moment, claimed – and correctly – that there is huge pressure is on the home side and by extension, Warburton.
FIREPOWER
CELTIC have scored 52 in the league while Rangers have notched 27. The champions have the two best strikers in Scotland in Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele. The former has notched 13 goals so far while the France U21 striker has grabbed 18 since signing from Fulham in the summer. Rodgers normally opts to play one or the other in games but it should be noted that Dembele scored a hat-trick against the Light Blues in September and the late winner in the Betfred Cup semi-final. Gers boss Mark Warburton will be looking for a turn from Joe Garner. The 28-year-old has turned into a cult hero at Ibrox in recent weeks but his scoring record is poor, having only scored three goals since arriving from Preston in the summer. Gers goals could also come from attackers Kenny Miller and Martyn Waghorn but they have only 14 between them. Celtic have a further goal threat from winger Scott Sinclair, who has 11 to his name and in-form midfielder Stuart Armstrong, who boasts five in his last eight games.
FORM
CELTIC’S 2-0 home win over Ross County on Wednesday night meant they ended the calendar year unbeaten at home domestically in 22 games. The victory over the Staggies was the 14th league win in a row and extended the Hoops’ unbeaten record domestically since the start of the season to 23 games. Rangers drew 1-1 at St Johnstone on Wednesday night to end a four-game winning run and while their form at Ibrox is good, Celtic are brimming with confidence and will take some stopping.
INJURIES
WITH Jordan Rossiter and Niko Kranjcar still out, Rangers are sweating over the fitness of skipper Lee Wallace and veteran defender Clint Hill. It would be a huge blow to Warburton’s hopes of winning if he lost both of these experienced players. Rodgers has ruled out influential Australia midfielder Tom Rogic with an ankle injury while left-back Kieran Tierney is out long term. However, Celtic have much more strength in depth than their rivals and need not worry too much about their absentees.
ATMOSPHERE
THIS is the first meeting between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox in four years. Much has changed at both clubs in that time but the earsplitting noise and colour contrast will be familiar. Celtic attacker Sinclair revealed he looked forward to the “hatred” of the occasion and he is unlikely to be disappointed. However, the points gap between the clubs will have an effect. Light Blues fans will be tense and nervous, hoping their side strike a blow against the Hoops whose supporters will be in more of a party mood given that ultimately, the result will have little bearing on the destination of the title which is heading for Parkhead.
