Key events
The teams
Celtic: Sinisalo, Trusty, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Donovan, Baur, McGregor, Tierney, McCowan, Duran, Nygren. Subs: Johnstone, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Hogh, Tounekti, Hassan, Mheuka, Murray, Forrest, Ralston.
Rangers: Pandur, Sterling, Fernandez, Makhanya, Penrice, Kim, Neil, Raskin, Gassama, Naderi, Kelsy. Subs: Kelly, McCrorie, Godfrey, Dragojevic, Devlin, Chukwuani, Curtis, Bouanani, Miovski.
Referee: John Beaton (Scotland)
Rangers are out of Europe after losing their playoffs for the Europa League and Conference League, but their fans may well have enjoyed watching the Europa League this week.
Last time out:
Against a backdrop of bouncing techno from the tannoy, Rangers fans celebrated three memorable goals in a thumping League Cup win. A brace for the captain, Dan Neil, bookended Kevin Kelsy’s second‑half finish to put Martin O’Neill’s side down with relative ease. It also showcased a nascent identity for McInnes’s side, one defined by unbending physical commitment and lots and lots of sprinting. The quality of the football may have been patchy, but the commitment was enough to get the 51,212 home fans at the top of their voices.
Preamble
Another week, another Old Firm/Glasgow derby match. Though the next one isn’t scheduled until 3 January. Rangers won last week, and should they win at Parkhead it could blow open the title race. Hearts divide both teams at the moment in the table, and a bad week for Celtic would be completed by losing to their eternal rivals. Derek McInnes was bought time and credibility by beating Celtic in the League Cup while Martin O’Neill was in cantankerous form before and after the Europa League defeat to Ferencvaros. So, plenty to play for, though there’s always plenty to play for.
Kick-off high noon, Glasgow time. Join me.
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