The fourth and final Premiership meeting of the season between Rangers and Celtic takes place at Ibrox this Sunday.
With Brendan Rodgers’ side already confirmed as champions, there are some who would tell you that the game means nothing. We all know different, of course.
As ever, there are scores to settle and sub-plots aplenty. Rodgers has lost the past two derbies while Barry Ferguson surely needs to back up that 3-2 win at Parkhead in March to revive any chance he has of yet landing the job.
Here, Mail Sport’s Calum Crowe and John McGarry look at the issues of the day.
What importance does the game have for Celtic beyond merely taking possession of the bragging rights again?
Calum Crowe: Earlier this week, Cameron Carter-Vickers claimed Celtic have nothing to prove heading into this game. But I don’t agree with that. In four games against Rangers this season, Celtic have won once in 90 minutes. Bearing in mind Rangers have been a shambles for much of the season. Celtic lost to a Rangers side at a time when Philippe Clement was only weeks away from being sacked, then again to a team led by Barry Ferguson. They need to set the record straight and assert their dominance as champions.
Maeda and Tavernier are likely to go toe-to-toe once again
While the Celtic frontman has relished his central role this term, he may revert to a wide position
John McGarry: After back-to-back losses to Rangers, Celtic need a victory which kills off any suggestion that their domination of the fixture may be coming to an end. Brendan Rodgers lost just once to the Ibrox side in his first 20 derbies. If that statistic becomes four in 23, his side looks more vulnerable going into the next season.
What went wrong for Celtic in those last two derbies? What’s got to be different if they are to get a win this time around?
CC: More than anything, I think they were guilty of complacency. Too many big players didn’t turn up. Celtic just looked blunt and devoid of ideas. They have scored 15 goals in their last three matches as they head to Ibrox.. They should look to get on the front foot and punish a Rangers defence that has leaked a lot of goals under Ferguson.
JM: They didn’t impose themselves in the matches and were too easily cut open. You could extend it back to the League Cup Final which they won on penalties. They lost three goals that day, conceded the same number at Ibrox and at Parkhead in March. Unless they tighten up, they’ll lose again.
How do you see Rodgers lining up defensively and will there be implications going forward for those who are omitted?
CC: Liam Scales has started the last three matches and it seems like Auston Trusty has now lost his place. Trusty hasn’t started since the 1-0 league defeat at St Johnstone a few weeks ago. Scales is a reliable operator and he knows what it takes to go to Ibrox and get a result. Given Celtic’s run of form of late, I would be surprised if Rodgers chose to drop the Irishman. Trusty will probably need to sit and watch from the sidelines. I also expect Greg Taylor to retain his place ahead of Jeffrey Schlupp.
JM: Scales arrived as a Celtic player after he was thrown in at Ibrox at the start of last season. He should play on merit. If he comes through unscathed, it’s a long way back for £6m Trusty. Schlupp’s also dropped off from the moment he suggested he might be open to contract talks. Another day spent on the bench would suggest those won’t be taking place.
With Jota now out injured, who will Rodgers go with in the three forward positions?
CC: I expect a front three of Daizen Maeda on the left, Adam Idah as the central striker, and Nicolas Kuhn operating from the right. Maeda has been a goal machine for Celtic this season and, for me, should win Player of the Year. But given the nightmares he causes for James Tavernier in Old Firm games, I think Celtic will ask him to play from the left rather than through the middle.
JM: It feels like a big day for Idah. For all he’s scored twice against Rangers last season, none of his 18 goals this term have been against Celtic’s great rivals. And he does not have his critics to seek. Maeda is nailed on to play on the left. Kuhn also appears to have played his way out of a slump.
Ferguson celebrates after guiding Rangers to victory at Celtic Park in March
If Barry Ferguson was to claim a second straight victory over Celtic, do you see any genuine prospect of him being offered the job full-time beyond the summer?
CC: I just don’t see it happening. Ferguson spoke last week about how he would back himself long-term and how he would ‘make the club better’ if he got the job. But I’ve said consistently over the past few weeks that it should really be a non-starter. If Rangers are to start fresh in the summer under new ownership, they need a manager with experience and a proven operator. Ferguson does not possess the credentials as a manager. If he wins on Sunday, he can walk away with his head held high.
JM: He’s still not won a home game in four attempts. One day in the sun should be seen for what it is. It’s hardly Ferguson’s fault that he’s been asked to take charge of a side who can’t be trusted to turn up from one week to the next. Yet there’s scant evidence that he’s the man with the Midas touch.
Rodgers has already guided Celtic to a league and League Cup Double this season
The league is over and Celtic are marching towards another Treble. From Rangers’ point of view, what does this game actually mean in the grand scheme of things?
CC: In a word, pride. It’s a chance for the to claim a second successive win over Celtic and finish the season off on a positive note. Would it take away the misery of what has been another season of failure in the league? No, of course not. But it would allow the club to finish the campaign by restoring some pride and offer some positivity heading into what is going to be a huge summer off the pitch.
JM: Notwithstanding the fact they were will be significant personnel changes this summer, a third successive victory over Celtic would give those who remain grounds to believe that next season might be a different story. Eradicate those slip-ups against the flotsam and jetsam would be the next task.
Who are the key men for Rangers?
CC: Nico Raskin has been their best player this season along with Vaclav Cerny. If those two can step up and have another big game on Sunday, it would drive Rangers a long way towards getting a result.
JM: No player in the history of the fixture has suffered more defeats than James Tavernier. For the light blue legions, his jousts with Maeda have been best watched from behind the sofa. A dominant display from the Englishman would set the right tone.
Ferguson has largely gone with three at the back over the past month or so. Do you see that continuing and what are the major selection calls he faces?
CC: Yeah, I expect the back three will continue. Robin Propper picked up a knock in the 2-2 draw at St Mirren last week. Whilst I don’t view him as a particularly strong defender, the lack of options and experience behind him would be a concern. If he’s fit, it’ll be a back three of Propper, John Souttar and Clinton Nsiala, with Tavenier and Jefte as the wing-backs. I think we’ll see Raskin and Connor Barron in midfield, with Diomande and Cerny playing just behind Dessers.
Raskin gets above Schlupp to score the opener in the last derby between the sides
JM: My hunch is that a lack of options will force him to change shape. With no Leon Balogun, Dujon Sterling, Ridvan Yilmaz and Propper toiling, I can envisage a 4-5-1 with Tavernier and Jefte either side of John Souttar and Clinton Nsiala.
Cerny, Barron, Raskin, Diomande and Ianis Hagi playing in behind Dessers.
How do you see it unfolding?
CC: There’s no doubt Ferguson will have Rangers fired up. They will look for one last show of defiance in an otherwise poor season. But I expect Celtic to turn on the style and be too strong. They have under-performed in the Old Firm matches this season, but I don’t see that continuing this weekend. They are champions, they are scoring goals for fun right now, and they will want to finish with a flourish.
JM: The fact there are Scottish Cup final places on the line for the visitors feels significant. Too many of Ferguson’s players look as if they’ve already clocked out. Even if they rally they look short of options. Celtic to prevail by the odd goal in three.
