Regardless of the hype, propaganda and nonsense that is part and parcel of the build up to and Old Firm clash, all that is at stake is three points and the chance to go 19 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Steven Gerrard has an almost fully fit squad to choose from but will have been gutted to lose two previous match winners in the shape of Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield – the only consolation is that his current midfield three are all bang in form.
The gaffer has two main section dilemmas – who to pick alongside Connor Goldson and whether or not to go with the in form Ianis Hagi or Ryan Kent.
Here is the XI I think Gerrard will go with as he looks to cement our dominance at the top of the table:
As a founding member of the Filip Helander fan club, it’s no competition for me, the big Swede has to start, he has shown in previous derbies just how calm and composed he is, Leon Balogun has done little wrong but he’s just not as good at the fundamentals of stopping the opposition from scoring.
Ryan Kent also has to start, he has been the biggest difference in recent Old Firm ties and having more space compared to what he usually gets against the “low-block jobbers” will only benefit him – he’s also due a goal.
I’m most looking forward to seeing Kemar Roofe against them, especially if Christopher Jullien is out injured, his movement is a step above anything they will have played against in Scotland this season.
If we show the same organisation that we have in the Europa League then we should have too much for Celtic, any defensive lapses, and despite their current issues, we could get punished, no excuses, out work, our fight and out run them and three points should be ours.