The first Old Firm derby of the season sees Rangers take a short trip across Glasgow to Parkhead in what will be a unique experience for both the players and fans.
With Steven Gerrard’s side currently sitting top of the league, they will be keen to press home their early advantage, especially with Celtic having dropped points in one less game.
Much of the pre-match talk has been about how many players Neil Lennon will have missing from his team, when in reality, they only have one that would probably have started in the shape of Ryan Christie, that won’t be available for selection.
The Gers gaffer has been coy about his own injury issues with Filip Helander, Allan McGregor, Kemar Roofe and Joe Aribo all at various stages of recovery, the best case scenario is that it is just the latter that is still in the treatment room come kick-off time.
Gerrard’s biggest issue could be assessing who is carrying any after affects from international duty with Alfredo Morelos facing a long journey home, thankfully Steven Davis was rested against Norway and only played the final few minutes but Glen Kamara and Ryan Jack were both heavily involved over the break in club football.
This is the team I would go with to secure the three points and lay an early marker for the championship race.
Normally you would expect Rangers to line up with Davis, Jack and Kamara as the central three, but Scott Arfield’s form – and the fact he hasn’t been away on international duty – makes him almost undroppable, he has also been pivotal in isolating Scott Brown in previous derbies. Don’t be surprised if he is picked in one of the more forward roles.
Who plays with Kent and Morelos?
Arfield
Jones
Barker
Hagi
Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos remain first picks until Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten are fully up to speed but it is the third attacking position that is up for grabs and will cause most debate.
Ianis Hagi, Jordan Jones, Scott Arfield or Brandon Barker will all be in the running and I think Gerrard will go with the Barker, Celtic’s back three is not the quickest and his pace could exploit this, plus he will be confident after his goal against Ross County.
The good thing is that whoever the boss picks can justify their selection, they will all bring something different and are all in form, making it one of the toughest calls to make and one that will prove to be the biggest indication as to how we will be set up to play – they are all capable of contributing towards three points, lets hope they go out and deliver.