Steven Gerrard has never really been one for mind games, his press conferences have always revealed exactly what he wanted them to.
This week though, he seems to have turned adversity round to work in his favour with a host of Rangers players having to miss the trip to Armenia, it has never been disclosed exactly what players are missing and for what reasons.
There is, of course, a huge advantage to this.
Celtic won’t be able to prepare for the first Old Firm of the season in the same manner to which they normally would, various reports have already confirmed that if any of the Rangers players who are isolating as a close contact, have received two Covid-19 vaccinations, then test negative – they will be able to resume training and be immediately available for the derby.
It’s as much a guessing game for them as it is the Rangers support.
A strong squad travelled to face Alashkert but with Allan McGregor, James Tavernier, John Lundstram, Ryan Kent and Kemar Roofe all absent from the trip, the team that lines up on Sunday could be an awful lot different.
Hopefully the element of surprise will work in our favour and that some of the key players who are missing can make a speedy “recovery” in time for what is sure to be an intriguing encounter between two sides, level on points, but with contrasting styles and form.
Notifications turned on, breath held and fingers crossed for around 11 o’clock on Sunday.