Predicted Celtic line-up to face Rangers in the Scottish Premiership
Celtic cross swords with Rangers at the Ibrox as Brendan Rodgers and Steven Gerrard collide for the second time this season.
There’s so much more than personal pride at stake this weekend. Celtic come into this game on the back of a thrilling win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie while Rangers dropped points at home to Hibernian on Boxing Day.
A win for Rangers would see them go level on points with Celtic but if the Hoops get the better of their Glasgow rivals at Ibrox, they could go six points clear, with a game in hand.
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Kieran Tierney is a big doubt for the Rangers clash with a hip problem. But Boyata and Lustig’s return at Aberdeen would have given Brendan Rodgers a massive boost ahead of this encounter. Meanwhile, Tom Rogic will miss the blockbuster game as he teams up with Australian national team.
Probable Celtic XI
Manager: 4-2-3-1
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Craig Gordon (GK)
Gordon will have to be at the top of his game to keep Rangers at bay on Saturday.
Mikael Lustig (RB)
Lustig has to be extra vigilant defensively against a dangerous Rangers side at the weekend.
Dedryck Boyata (CB)
Boyata returned just at the right time for Celtic. He will be tasked with stopping the in-form Morelos.
Filip Benkovic (CB)
Benkovic will also have a big task cut out on Saturday. The game at Ibrox will be the big Croat’s biggest test this season.
Jonny Hayes (LB)
After a strong second-half performance at Aberdeen, Hayes is expected to get the nod ahead of Izaguirre at left-back.
Scott Brown (CM)
For such an intense clash, Rodgers will expect his skipper to step up and do the job which he is known for. Brown, however, would have to keep his calm and keep things simple against Gerrard’s boys.
Callum McGregor (CM)
The Scotsman is in a good run of form of late and will look to do the job given by the manager on Saturday.
Ryan Christie (CAM)
On current form, Rodgers simply cannot drop Christie out of the starting XI. Christie has been Celtic’s talisman in the last few games and he’ll look to deliver the goods at Ibrox as well.
James Forrest (RW)
Forrest will look to give the Rangers left-back a torrid time with his burst of acceleration and dribbling skills. He is a certain starter for the highly anticipated fixture.
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Scott Sinclair (LW)
Scored a hat-trick in the 4-3 win over Aberdeen that will give Sinclair a lot of confidence ahead of the Rangers game. He is expected to start on the left wing.
Odsonne Edouard (ST)
Leading Celtic’s line against Rangers would be none other than Edouard.
