Much of the team for today’s game picks itself, but there are three big calls to be made for Rangers manager Steven Gerrard.
From the outset of this campaign, there have been many questions for Rangers to answer and challenges to overcome – to their credit the vast majority of those have been passed with flying colours.
Another test awaits today and it is an important one.
This Scottish Cup campaign represents Gerrard’s sixth tilt at a cup competiton, he is all too aware that the previous five have been a failure.
It is time for that to change.
Decisions
So who will be the men selected from the start to get the better of Celtic?
McGregor, Goldson, Helander, Barisic, Kamara, Davis, Kent, Morelos – that eight can more or less be taken for granted.
It is the other three berths that provide a major talking point and the possible key to success or not, today.
The Glasgow Times Chris Jack ran his eye over this very equation in a very good piece – the full article can be accessed here.
Tavernier or Patterson?
At right-back, there is some debate.
The club captain or the young impressive upstart?
Gerrard told his Friday presser that Tavernier had a chance but would need to come through the final two sessions unscathed.
It would be a risk, but if he features then it will be a calculated decision.
Patterson won’t be fazed if he gets the jersey given all that has came before this season
Aribo or Arfield?
Flair and finess against pragmatism.
The main issue for Scott Arfield is his lack of form, given he has been somewhat out of sorts recently – his showing against Cove provided some hope.
Joe Aribo is a very talented player but his appliction hasn’t quite been there in previous Old Firms. He is a great option off the bench and can even slot into the front line.
This is probably the toughest call of the three.
Chris Jack stated:
“This is perhaps the trickiest call of all for Gerrard to make and it again emphasises just how big a loss Ryan Jack has been to Rangers over the last couple of months.”
“If Jack had been fit, he would surely have started alongside Steven Davis and Glen Kamara and Rangers would have had a solid midfield foundation upon which to operate in both defensive and attacking senses.”
Hagi or Roofe?
Given his recent form, Kemar Roofe appears favourite on this front.
He will be desperate to make up for his disappointment last time out against Celtic, at Ibrox.
Unfortunately, Hagi tends to miss out on these games – if that happens again, it is up to him to make his mark off the bench.
He did get a start last month at Parkhead but it wasn’t his strongest game, much like the rest of the team.
Roofe, if selected, must use his know-how against a questionable Celtic defence – it appears the Englishman is most likely to get the nod.