Every Old Firm meeting has something riding on it but from the outside looking in, this one just seems a bit different — if that’s actually possible.
here’s a further edge added to it as both teams are almost neck and neck in the race for the Scottish Premiership title. It’s been a long time since a title race has been so competitive and as it stands it’s anyone’s guess as to which way the pendulum will swing.
Celtic, incredibly, haven’t won in the last seven Old Firm meetings and failure to do so in this one wouldn’t be catastrophic, however it would certainly be damaging to slip further behind Rangers.
On the flip side, closing the gap on their city rivals and winning would seriously test the resolve of Rangers in the next few weeks as the drama continues to unfold.
The decision to bring forward the winter break by a week in the hope of getting a full house at Celtic Park has paid dividends, as almost 60,000 fans will descend on the East End of Glasgow for one of the most anticipated derbies in years.
Having watched many meetings between these two over the years, it’s soulless without fans and it loses a lot of what makes it special around the globe so with supporters in, it more than adds to the occasion.
Both sets of players, old and new, will not need reminded of what’s at stake and what winning means for their respective club. Heroes are made and villains are castigated such is the nature of the game as well as the emotion that surrounds it. It’s always been that way and it will continue in that vain for many years to come.
Both sides have been in excellent form as the game edges ever closer. Their recent records are very similar and it will take a brave man to predict the outcome.
I have to say it is going to be very difficult to separate them, but I’ll have a go at breaking it down.
Celtic
It's hard not to admire the style of football Celtic are producing. They rarely deviate from their attacking style of play and they will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing Rangers at the amphitheatre of Celtic Park.
This team have won lots of plaudits for how far they have come when it was presumed they would be second best by a distance. The acid test for Celtic is delivering a performance and result that backs up the positivity they’ve built up from within their fan base.
Ange Postecoglou is a man who seldom looks flustered or ruffled but I can imagine even he will have butterflies in his stomach as kick-off approaches on Wednesday night.
Celtic have more than their fair share of absentees to contend with, including Kyogo Furuhashi, David Turnbull, Yosuke Ideguchi, Daizen Maeda and Tom Rogic. That’s a lot to contend with, but Postecoglou will only want to focus on the players he has available.
The loss of Furuhashi and Maeda puts responsibility on the shoulders of Georgios Giakoumakis to lead the line.
I think Calvin Bassey and Connor Goldson would rather face the physical Giakoumakis as opposed to either of the pacy Japanese.
This is all set up to be a titanic battle but Giakoumakis has hit a bit of form which will encourage him, and he can make a mark on the Celtic fans.
For a number of reasons he hasn’t made the impact he would have hoped for so far but having watched from the sidelines over the past few months he should know what’s fully expected of him as the main striker. This could be a defining match for him in his Celtic career.
He needs to be the catalyst to initiate the Celtic press out of possession but with the ball he needs to be prepared to stretch the game. The question is, can he deliver?
Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley in midfield look astute signings from Postecoglou and if the Hearts game in midweek is anything to go by then Celtic fans are in for a treat.
Technically both are very gifted footballers but with the Old Firm game famed for its ferocious nature, it will be interesting to see if they can stamp their authority on proceedings or if Rangers allow them.
Conclusion: Celtic are in a good place but replicating a lot of what has stood them in good stead thus far is easier said than done.
Key man: Georgios Giakoumakis
Rangers
Rangers have been overwhelming favourites for the league title since the season got under way and I don’t think many assumed the table would be as close as it currently is.
It’s fair to say that since the winter break Rangers haven’t been as fluent as they would have liked and have been slightly underwhelming. Giovanni van Bronckhorst quite rightly won Manager of the Month in December but the break in the season probably wasn’t what they wanted or needed as they had good momentum behind them. They were on a roll but haven’t reached those heights in 2022 as yet.
There’s something missing from their attacking play but it’s hard to put your finger on exactly what. They are dominating possession but finding it hard work to create clear-cut chances and cut open opponents. They will need to rediscover it with important games coming thick and fast.
The return of Joe Aribo will give everyone around the club a lift, as he has been Rangers’ star performer this season. His marauding bursts from midfield with or without the ball will be a welcome addition. When you play your arch-rivals you want your best players available and Aribo certainly comes into that category.
Alfredo Morelos being on international duty and missing out is a major blow not only because of his goals but more so the lack of options to replace him. Cedric Itten has started a couple of games but hasn’t reached the expected level for a Rangers No.9. I look at him and wonder is he trying too hard or is he simply not good enough?
Kemar Roofe is the other striking option to replace Morelos but he’s missed a lot of football through injury. He has played and scored in this fixture so if he were available I would expect him to start.
With Ianis Hagi sustaining a serious knee injury last weekend, it fast-tracked Van Bronckhorst’s plans to bring in a right-winger and he looks to have landed a gem in Amad Diallo from Manchester United.
He may only be 19-years-old but he could be the missing link, short-term anyway.
He has electric pace, which Rangers probably don’t have in abundance, and his willingness to attack defenders should bring a different dynamic to the forward line. He could be the Rangers wildcard on a huge night for the Ibrox men.
Conclusion: Rangers need to find another gear and raise their level of performance.
Key man: Joe Aribo
The Managers: Ange Postecoglou and Giovanni van Bronckhorst
For obvious reasons both managers will be desperate to get their maiden win in the derby. They will know the importance of getting a psychological edge on their old adversaries at a crucial stage in the season.
Team selection will be important, as will getting the tactics right, but I don’t expect either to stray from what has been successful so far for them. Celtic under Postecoglou play very open and expansive football and press aggressively all over the pitch. That won’t change. Van Bronckhorst has made Rangers a bit more reserved at times, making sure they don’t get caught on the counter-attack, so it will be intriguing to see whose style is imposed on the game.
Postecoglou’s first Old Firm ended in defeat and Van Bronckhorst’s first visit to Celtic Park as a player saw him suffer a 5-1 loss in 1998 so both will have their personal reasons to win.
