MEET YOUR OLD FIRM

THE world will be watching as Celtic face off against Rangers in the first Old Firm derby of the season this Saturday. Many have alluded to this crunch game as one of the hardest to call in recent times, but how do our newly appointed senior Celtic and Rangers writers see the game going?

We sat down with Graeme McGarry ( Celtic) and Chris Jack ( Rangers) to preview the action and discuss where the game could be won or lost.

Firstly Graeme, what have you made of Celtic’s start to the season?

GM:

“It’s points, and not performances, that win prizes, and I think Neil Lennon would concede that Celtic haven’t really been at their best so far this term. That’s despite racking up eight wins on the bounce since the disappointment of their Champions League qualifying exit to Ferencvaros.

“That evening is perhaps colouring assessments of their start to the season, but the suspicion remains that this side has several more gears to click into, which will be greatly encouraging to the Celtic support given they’ve still managed to maintain close contact with Rangers at the top of the table despite being a little off- colour at times. The early report card would read ‘ good, but could do better.’”

And Chris, an impressive start to the campaign for Rangers? CJ:

“Overall it’s been a good start to the season, Steven Gerrard couldn’t really have asked for much more. The draws with Livingston and Hibernian were hugely disappointing and Rangers need to prove that they’re just blips because if they repeat those mistakes too often then they won’t win the league.

“Defensively they’ve been impressive and the record at Ibrox speaks for itself. There’s plenty to be encouraged about so far but Rangers still have a lot to prove over the course of the campaign.”

How can Rangers hurt Celtic this weekend, Chris?

CJ:

“One of the main criticisms of Rangers this season is that they haven’t been ruthless enough in the Premiership and haven’t won as comfortably as they should have. At Hibernian, that old inability to kill the game off ultimately cost them and Gerrard can’t afford for that to creep in once again this season.

“He needs Rangers to be clinical on Saturday. Morelos may not have scored against Celtic but he’s played well in these games and will be a key man once again – but you have to look to Kent as the most obvious potential match winner.”

Graeme, can Celtic still cause Rangers problems even with a number of players out? GM:

“Ryan Christie, James Forrest and Odsonne Edouard – should he fail to make it – will be hugely missed.

“What the absence of those men does though is open up opportunities for others to become heroes, and Neil Lennon still has a selection headache when it comes to his attacking options, with the likes of Albian Ajeti, Moi Elyounoussi, Leigh Griffiths and Patryk Klimala all vying for a place in the side.

“For me though, much will depend on who comes out in top of the battle in the wide areas, with Jeremie Frimpong and new- Bhoy Diego Laxalt deployed as wingbacks against James Tavernier and Borna Barisic.”

How do you both see the game going?

GM:

“This is one of the hardest Old Firm games to call in some time, with the absence of home advantage perhaps a factor that will work against Celtic.

“With the personnel Celtic will be missing too, perhaps a draw wouldn’t be the worst result in the world, but Neil Lennon will feel he still has enough in his team to edge a win. I’m going for a 2- 1 win for Celtic.”

CJ: “A draw wouldn’t be a bad result for Rangers and I think Gerrard would take that if he was offered it now. But he’ll be going there to win and lay down a marker and there’s no reason why Rangers can’t follow up on their victory in the December game with another one on Saturday. I’ll go for a 1- 1 draw.”