Rangers FC’s kicked off the new Scottish Premiership season with a 1-1 draw against Aberdeen while Celtic won their season opener 3-1 against Livingston.
And these two games might have a very strong impact on the upcoming Old Firm Derby early next month.
While Celtic will be going into their next couple of games with high confidence, Rangers manager Steven Gerrard will have to try and be very thoughtful with his selection process.
And this is primarily because of the red card that Alfredo Morelos received during the draw against Aberdeen.
Morelos was sent off during the 12th minute of the match after an off the ball altercation with an Aberdeen defender and a direct red means the striker will miss the next three league games.
The Light Blues will surely appeal against the decision which was considered harsh by many people but as things stand Morelos is set to miss the Old Firm Derby next month.
This means that Umar Sadiq is the only striker available to Gerrard for the Old Firm Derby – if the Gers fail to bring in a new forward during the transfer window.
HOW ON EARTH IS THIS A RED CARD FOR MORELOS? pic.twitter.com/y9LsrNml4N
— Bets On All Footy (@BetsOnAllFooty) August 5, 2018
The absence of Morelos is sure to be a huge setback to the Light Blues not only because of his talent but also because Umar Sadiq will have enormous pressure on his shoulders.
Sadiq will be playing his first Old Firm Derby next month and if Rangers fail to win the appeal against the ban of Alfredo Morelos then there’s no doubt that Celtic will have a massive advantage during the Old Firm Derby.
Both the Old Firm rivals are in action in midweek as Celtic face Athens FC in the Champions League qualifiers while Rangers take on Maribor in the same round but in the Europa League.
The first Old Firm Derby of the new season will be played on the 2nd of September and the Light Blues fans will be hoping that their team can win the appeal for Alfredo Morelos’ red card. Or else they will be stuck with only one inexperienced striker.
Read: Fans are absolutely loving what Steven Gerrard said after Rangers’ 1-1 draw against Aberdeen.
Read: Steven Gerrard gives yet another bad news before the Europa League clash against Maribor.
Read: Rangers draw their season opener against Aberdeen and some of the comments from the Celtic fans will make you ROFL.
Read: Former Rangers boss delivers his predictions about Rangers’ league position at the end of the season.
Read: Fans are not happy after Alfredo Morelos is not sent off, but it’s not the player who is the subject of all the abuse.
