After Rangers drew during the weekend, Celtic FC have managed to come within touching distance of their arch-nemesis. And next up, they take on Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side in the Old Firm Derby.
Celtic are just two points behind the Gers so if they can pick up a win on Wednesday then they will be to claim the top spot on the SPFL table.
Rangers are undefeated in their last 21 matches in the Premiership but the Bhoys are playing some sumptuous football themselves and have won their previous four league outings. Celtic FC do not have the best of records when it comes to recent derbies though.
This is the first derby at Celtic Park since December 2019 when the fans will be allowed to come in so this is going to be a special occasion. The home side have a great chance at capsizing Rangers from the top spot and this one major factor is going to make Wednesday’s game even more interesting.
Bhoys team news vs Rangers:
Greg Taylor and Josip Juranovic were on the bench for the Dundee game but they are surely coming back into the side on Wednesday, replacing Liam Scales and Anthony Ralston as the two full-backs.
Nir Bitton is suspended after picking up two yellow cards during the weekend so James McCarthy will come into midfield.
First game at Celtic Park..
What a place!🍀
Support was incredible today. We got there in the end!💚 @CelticFC pic.twitter.com/FuxVwxq7C5— Matt O'Riley (@mattoriley8) January 29, 2022
Daizen Maeda has returned from international duty with Japan but the manager has put question marks over his participation in the Old Firm Derby.
“Daizen Maeda gets in tomorrow morning and we will see how he is,” he told the press. “He played 20 minutes for Japan this morning and I haven’t spoken to him yet.
“I’ll have a chat with him tomorrow and see how he feels and he has a chance for the squad but definitely won’t start.”
Callum McGregor is also a doubt for the game and he will go through a late fitness in order to determine his availability.
The manager added: “Callum McGregor trained with the team today, but again we’re not sure about him tomorrow so I’ll make a decision on that later.”
Jota came off the bench against Dundee but the 22-year-old is a guaranteed starter against Rangers on Wednesday.
Celtic FC predicted line up vs Rangers FC:
Predicted Starting Line-up(4-3-3): Hart; Starfelt, Taylor, Carter-Vickers, Juranovic; McCarthy, Hatate, O’Riley; Jota, Giakoumakis, Abada.
