It’s time for the Old-Firm Derby this Saturday and it’s probably the biggest one in many years. Scottish Premiership missed this classic battle for four long years as Rangers were absent from the top tier of Scottish football since their liquidation. The last time the two Scottish giants locked horns with each other in the Premiership was in April 2012 and Celtic came out 3-0 winners that time. The two Glasgow giants met each other just twice after that, both times in Cup competitions and won one game each. Rangers defeated Celtic 7-6 on penalties last season in the semi-final of the Scottish FA Cup after a 2-2 draw after 120 minutes.
Old Firm Derby is one of the biggest rivalries in world football and the blockbuster fixture of Scottish football. Celtic and Rangers are a marriage made in hell and it is a game where every player gives his 200% for the team. Both clubs won 13 games each in this largely-contested Derby till date in the Premiership while 5 games ended as stalemates. Both clubs have scored 37 goals in the process and the competitiveness is quite clear from these figures.
Celtic are favourites for the game having the home advantage and a better form and momentum heading into the game but in such games, you never know what awaits you. This is without a doubt the biggest game Rodgers will have managed since the Merseyside derby or a fixture against Man United as the Old Firm is pretty chaotic. And here is the possible Celtic lineup that he could use against Rangers.
Defence
Dorus de Vries is likely to start ahead of Craig Gordon under the bar. Rodgers is likely to go with the same back four that started against Aberdeen in their 4-1 win before the international break. Kolo Toure and Erik Sviatchenko will continue at the heart of the defence while Mikael Lustig and Kieran Tierney should continue in the full-back positions.
Midfield
Skipper Scott Brown and Nir Bitton are likely to be the central midfield pair against Rangers. Rangers play more of a slow possession-based game and Brown and Bitton has to ensure that the Gers do not enjoy too much dominance in midfield.
In-form Tom Rogic will start in the number ten role for the Hoops and will try to unlock Rangers’ defence with his shrewd passing and movement. Scott Sinclair and James Forrest both are in brilliant form right now and should start on the flanks.
Attack
Leigh Griffiths is in the form of his life right now. The 40-goal getter for Celtic last season has already found the net seven times this season while setting up four for his teammates from just nine games in all competitions. The Scottish international is an automatic choice up front.
