Even though Celtic find themselves 10 points above second-placed Rangers at the moment, an Old Firm derby is always going to be a must-win game for both the sides. Neil Lennon has taken over the top job at Celtic after Rodgers departed and the good thing about him is that he would be aware of the magnitude of this fixture.
Celtic can wrap up the title on Sunday itself by going 13 points clear of Rangers. Moreover, fans would be desperate to get back to winning ways as Rangers managed to break Celtic’s impressive run in the derbies in December last year.
Here are three tactical moves Lennon should make to ensure a victory to his side.
Starting with an impressive tempo.
Last time when these two teams met earlier, Rangers midfield trio of McCrorie, Jack and Arfield almost harassed and pressed Celtic’s midfield out of the park. The likes of Brown, Ntcham and Christie were not able to string two passes together, and Celtic just started on the back foot.
They cannot afford to do that again especially this time at home. Gerrard might again opt for a workhorse midfield, and Celtic need to be quick in moving the ball. They need to show the intensity from the word go. Scott Brown was especially targeted and he seemed to lose every 50-50 battle last time around. The Hoops faithful would hope for a much more impressive tempo, to begin with on Sunday.
Backing up Mikael Lustig
Ryan Kent is going to be a significant threat from the left for Rangers, and Mikael Lustig found it hard to control him last time around. The goal came about at Ibrox when Lustig was far too committed in his challenge and Kent was easily able to cut back the ball to Ryan Jack. Therefore it will be necessary for Celtic’s right winger (whether that is Oliver Burke or James Forrest) to back up the Swedish defender when required.
Even if Jeremy Toljan starts ahead of Lustig, the right winger needs to track back as the German fullback has looked vulnerable defensively.
Starting With Edouard up front
Oliver Burke hasn’t done much wrong since he joined in January, but now that Odsonne Edouard is available, he should be the one to lead the line. His physicality can trouble Rangers’ shaky defence, and he can even go on his little marauding runs which could be hard to contain. Sometimes the young striker lacks the clinical finish in the final third. However, with Edouard around, he can create a lot more chances on his own and can bring his team-mates into the game with his hold up play.
