match thread (image) [FT] Rangers 0 - 2 Celtic

[Frankie 8,570]

It's been a little over 24 hours since I put together yesterdays preview for last night's game against Legia.  Nevertheless, after what was another fine result, I think Rangers fans feel even better than ever and the confidence obtained from the late win should increase morale further amongst the recovery ice baths at Auchenhowie this morning.  Yet, as has been the case for the last two summers, doing well in European qualifiers means an extremely tough schedule of games so we'll need to recover quickly for the visit of Celtic in Sunday's top of the table clash.  At least we're not travelling back from Russia after playing a game with nine men this time!

 

Our season so far

 

Twelve games played, ten wins, two draws, zero losses, 32 goals scored and only five conceded is impressive form in anyone's book.  Sure, the likes of St Joseph's and St Mirren may not be considered Europe's (or even Scotland's) elite but wins over Hibs, Kilmarnock and negotiating the last two European qualifiers have shown Rangers to be a markedly different outfit this season.  Yes, we still have that quality in possession but, so far at least, we've added a defensive steel to our game and an ability to find winners in games that we'd have previously dropped points.  The worth of late goals in our Premiership opener at Rugby Park and at Ibrox last night cannot be under-estimated and that kind of dogged patience and resilience is essential if success is to be found.

 

Celtic

 

Last year's champions have played the same number of games as us and have a very similar record, losing only one game so far to drop out of the Champions League.  They've also scored seven more goals than us but, importantly, have conceded seven more also which shows although they're clearly very dangerous in attack, the additions they've made at the back haven't yet proven their worth.  Moreover with their best defender Kristoffer Ajer hobbling off again early in their game last night, Neil Lennon may be forced into further changes at Ibrox on Sunday.  Ajer has been playing right back of late so their new loan signing from Stoke, Moritz Bauer may make his debut in favour of Anthony Ralston.  It will also be interesting to see if Lennon sticks with Nir Bitton in central defence and Boli Bolingoli at left back.  This is a back-line the Rangers attack will want to ask questions of.

 

Further forward, Celtic have many threats of their own.  From Edouard and Forrest to Johnston and Christie, there's a strength and mobility to Celtic that will mean if we switch off at all, we will be punished.  Quite simply this will be the biggest test of the season so far for our defence and midfield so let's hope for the kind of physically dominant performances we seen at Ibrox last season where we won both games comfortably.

 

Rangers

 

If there was one other important benefit from last night it was the fact we didn't need to play extra-time.  After last year's exertions with nine men against Ufa, it was obvious we struggled to match Celtic in a tired display at Parkhead a few days later.  As such we started the game overly defensive and lacked sharpness on the ball.  With that in mind, Steven Gerrard may be eager to freshen up his team on Sunday.  But, given Celtic are the ones returning from a trip to the continent (albeit from a much easier game) then both sides will have players who've already played around a fifth of their expected games this season.

 

With that in mind, will we see a return to the team for the likes of Flanagan, Kamara and Defoe?  Might Filip Helander even make his competitive Ibrox debut?  How much longer can we persevere with what seems to be a jaded Scott Arfield?  Ultimately, we need a good result from Sunday to maintain confidence ahead of a much needed international break.  Even a draw wouldn't be a bad outcome but a win would take us top of the table by three points and would represent the perfect start to a season that is going to be long, gruelling and a test of all our characters.

 

In that sense, I think the manager may ask for one last pre-break push from his trusted lieutenants which should mean a familiar look to the Rangers starting XI on Sunday.  Once again James Tavernier will be expected to lead from the right hand side and, if his eye cut swelling reduces enough, I suspect Borna Barisic may be favoured over Jon Flanagan at left back.  Not only does the Croatian have the pace to deal with the threat of James Forrest, his set-piece ability could be vital again this week.  Importantly, despite having to go off last night, he did well against Legia and that trust in him may be repaid on Sunday.

 

In midfield both Ryan Jack and Steven Davis were immense against the Poles so should be certain starters.  Joe Aribo was a wee bit quieter last night so, after three straight games for the Nigerian international, Glen Kamara may well be favoured to strengthen our midfield.  Similarly Sheyi Ojo never really got going in the Legia match and with Jordan Jones supplying the cross for Morelos' winner, he should get the nod to make his Old Firm debut.  Scott Arfield was taken off last night and isn't in the best of form but his experience will see him start as well.  Up front is a wee bit trickier to guess but I'd expect Morelos to beat Jermain Defoe to the sole striker's role.

 

Conclusion

 

Old Firm matches are often famously hard to predict.  Form doesn't always come into it whilst, although Celtic have had the upper hand in recent years for obvious reasons, last season Rangers were a hugely different proposition and were the better team in three of the matches.  With that in mind, Steven Gerrard may well look to fill his team with players who featured in those games.  Indeed, with Celtic possibly having more Old Firm debutantes than us on Sunday then that may prove to be an interesting tangent to a annual contest that is full of fascinating nuances around it.

 

Yesterday's article title was 'Mission Possible' where I concluded we should be aiming to win the Legia and Celtic matches.  We've completed the first task but now have an even tougher one to address.  The destination of the league title is far from known and, hopefully, won't be until well into next year but Sunday's encounter will show us just how capable this new, improved Rangers side is.  A carbon copy of the two corresponding games at Ibrox last year would be very much welcomed and a suitable demonstration of a much needed title challenge.  It's only Friday but he battle fever is already abound.

 

Possible starting XI (4-3-2-1):

 

 

[Frankie 8,570]

Would be great to have a few more preview writers to spread the load this season.  Please use the pinned thread to add your name to the list in advance of each game.

 

Thanks to @pete, @DMAA and @Gizmo231 for their efforts so far! 

 

[alexscottislegend 2,325]

Excellent preview. I'll just say that this is a game tailor-made for Flanagan for his tackling.

[compo 7,048]

We will probably start this match as favourites 

[Gribz 850]

4 hours ago, Frankie said:

Would be great to have a few more preview writers to spread the load this season.  Please use the pinned thread to add your name to the list in advance of each game.

 

Thanks to @pete, @DMAA and @Gizmo231 for their efforts so far! 

 

Sorry Frankie, was actually going to do one this morning when I got up and didnt see any thread on it - but thought the OF game would have been booked by someone else. I didnt check the listings.

 

Has to be the most confident we have gone into an OF game in many a year. Favourites for the first time in about 8 years.

 

I want to see attacking going right at them from the off. Id like to fit in Jones Aribo and Ojo (if all fit) but that means one from Davis and Kamara misses out. Arfield isnt at the races but he does play well in OF games so its a tough one for Gerrard to give him the chance or leave him out.

 

McGregor

 

Tav Goldson Katic Barisic

 

Kamara Jack Aribo

 

Ojo Jones

 

Morelos

Edited August 30, 2019 by Gribz

[Gribz 850]

There is something about me that wants to see Defoe play. He is a world class finisher.

 

 

[weebluedevil 1,239]

I think we now have a starting 11 that is close to picking itself in games like these.

 

McGregor

Tav Goldson Katic Flanagan

Davis  Jack Aribo

Ojo Jones

Morelos

 

Flanagan should get the nod due to the head knock that Barisic took on Thursday night, but I’d be inclined to start Flano on Sunday anyway for his non-nonsense defending. 

 

Davis has been outstanding this season and that means Kamara will have to make way.

 

Morelos starts - he’s on form and needs to end his duck against them and also show that his new found maturity can stand up against strong provocation. 

 

 

 

 

[ranger_syntax 4,329]

I expect Aribo to play.

 

I have doubts over Davis and Arfield due to fitness.  Kamara is playing below the level he set last season and Ojo looks to have dropped his level a little bit too.

 

I think that the manager will most likely go with Arfield anyway.  The midfield is a little less certain.

[JFK-1 1,693]

Flanagan needs to keep his elbows down, he got lucky last time he raised them. Broonaldo will go down after just a stern look.

[DMAA 3,658]

I think Aribo will keep his place. After thursdays performance I like the idea of Barisic playing but I probably prefer the idea of Forrest running at Flanagan than Barisic. I’d actually like Defoe to start but I don’t think it will happen and Arfield has to start alongside Jone surely. I think Jones is more suited to this one than Ojo. 

 

I checked out the Bauer thread on the stoke forum and the recurring theme is that he is good going forward but can’t defend. With most of their defence carrying knocks this game must be seen as a must win if we’re serious.