GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 22: Kemar Roofe of Rangers (C) celebrates after scoring their sides second goal during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Aberdeen at Ibrox Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
There’s hardly a bigger occasion in Scottish football than an Old Firm derby and the stakes will be high when Celtic make the trip to Rangers for the second showdown fixture of the campaign.
Steven Gerrard’s side have been a cut above Celtic this season and deservedly sit 16 points clear of their arch-rivals atop the Scottish Premiership standings. Neil Lennon’s brigade have three games in hand but Rangers will head into the derby on Saturday knowing that a win would stack the title odds overwhelmingly in their favour.
Rangers beat Celtic 2-0 back in October courtesy of a brace from Connor Goldson and the Gers will be the hot favourites to come away with all three points at home this weekend.
Gerrard has a few injury concerns in the midfield department, with Ryan Jack still on the sidelines. Scott Arfield didn’t feature against St. Mirren after limping off in the win over Hibernian and remains doubtful to play a part on Saturday.
The veteran kept yet another clean sheet in a comfortable 2-0 win over St. Mirren on Wednesday and should retain his status as the undisputed No.1 between the sticks.
The Gers skipper has been in sparkling form this season and could be the difference-maker for his side in the derby on Saturday.
The former Brighton man has been one of the lynchpins of Rangers’ backline in recent seasons and will head into the derby high on confidence, having scored a double against the Hoops last time around.
The Swedish international put in a solid shift in the last game and Gerrard should hand him a start ahead of Balogun for the high-octane clash this weekend.
The influential Croatian has been a key outlet for the Gers down the left flank and could have a big role to play on Saturday.
The Northern Irish veteran had a decent outing against St. Mirren should continue in the holding midfield role in the absence of Jack.
The former Arsenal star remains a key cog in Rangers’ engine room and will be expected to carry his rich vein of form into the derby.
The Nigerian has shown glimpses of his pedigree in the last two games and should continue in the starting XI in the absence of Arfield.
The former Leeds United star seems to be growing in confidence with each passing game and is likely to start once again this weekend.
Rangers’ talismanic winger played only a cameo off the bench against St. Mirren and should be fresh and ready for the challenge against Celtic.
The Colombian international broke his goal drought in the last game and the fans will be expecting him to emerge as the match-winner against Celtic as he has done so often in the past.