Rangers stumbled against RB Leipzig but since they only lost 1-0, the Gers are still very much in the tie. GvB and his players won’t have any time to analyze this loss though because they have an Old Firm Derby coming up on Sunday.
Rangers FC take on Celtic for the first time this season and for the Ibrox outfit, this match will be more about pride than anything else. It’s safe to say that the Teddy Bears have fallen out of the Premiership title race so all they can do is delay their rivals’ crowning ceremony.
The home side will be upset after their Europa League loss but since they can still make a comeback, GvB might just look to rest some players who played the full 90 minutes on Thursday night. The manager should ideally be taking this route but we don’t think he will be bold enough to play a second fiddle side against their fiercest rivals.
Rangers are undefeated in 30 of their last 32 matches in the Premiership but their previous Old Firm Derby back in April ended in a 1-2 loss.
Rangers injuries and team news:
DEFENCE:
Rangers rotated between a false nine and a 5-3-2 formation on Thursday night but for the Old Firm Derby, the manager will revert to his favoured 4-2-3-1 system.
Goldson and Bassey will hold onto their place in central defence with Helander out injured and even Borna Barisic and Tavernier won’t be rested for Sunday’s encounter.
Leon Balogun is suspended for this match so GvB will be a bit short in terms of defensive reinforcements.
👏 Thanks for your support as always.
Bring The Noise to Ibrox next Thursday 💪#UEL pic.twitter.com/uJrdRYjSc7
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) April 28, 2022
MIDFIELD:
On Thursday, Lundstram, at times, would slot into the backline to help out his defenders but against Celtic, he will come back into defensive midfield alongside Steven Davis.
We are expecting the manager to rest Glen Kamara to keep him fresh for the 2nd leg next week. Joe Aribo played in a withdrawn role against Leipzig but he will now move into his preferred No 10 role.
Kamara had a muted game on Thursday so the Rangers boss will want to keep him out of the firing line when Celtic come to the Ibrox. A dent in confidence on Sunday can seriously affect his performance in the second leg next week.
Aaron Ramsey is nearing a return but he’s not going to be fit in time for Sunday’s game.
ATTACK:
Despite backing Sakala in his pre-match press conference, the manager chose not to use him in Germany. He used Scott Wright as a false nine but the 24-year-old was not effective in that role.
Fashion Sakala should come back into the side this weekend and there’s a possibility that Amad Diallo could also be used in the Old Firm Derby. The Manchester United loanee has been massively disappointing this season but this will be the perfect game to try him out – if the manager wants to rest players like Scott Arfield.
Alfredo Morelos is ruled out for the rest of the season while Kemar Roofe is expected to come back sometime next week.
Rangers predicted line up vs Celtic:
Goalkeeper: McGregor.
Defenders: Bassey, Goldson, Tavernier, Borna Barisic.
Midfielders: Lundstram, Steven Davis, Joe Aribo.
Forwards: Ryan Kent, Sakala, Amad.
