THE SATURDAY JURY
1 CAN Celtic afford to take a risk by starting Callum McGregor at Ibrox?
The question facing Brendan Rodgers is can he afford NOT to rush him back? McGregor is so often Celtic’s main influence in this fixture and it’s a game Rodgers can’t afford to lose despite insisting common sense must prevail.
Yes. The captain is a leader and an inspiration. Just by being out there he’ll drag the best out of his team-mates. If there’s any way he can play then he must. Deal with later, later.
McGregor is so influential, unless he is unable to run then he has to play. He was outstanding the last time these two met and when times are tough he’s the one man more than anyone else that can lift the Hoops up a gear.
2 NAME the key man in Philippe Clement’s XI.
Jack Butland will need to be on his toes along with James Tavernier and Connor Goldson at the back. John Lundstram could make the difference in midfield. But if Rangers are to win it, then Todd Cantwell.
Cantwell. The midfield man has all the tools to thrive in this fixture – he just hasn’t managed to do it in one that’s mattered. Now might be his time.
Tavernier. His contributions in big games make this a no-brainer. The skipper remains Rangers’ man for the big occasion. Butland could also play a pivotal part and, in a different way, Cyriel Dessers – which version of the striker turns up could be key.
3 WHAT’s your solution if Dundee’s game against motherwell is another wash-out?
It’ll need to be rescheduled on a decent pitch ASAP and that looks like it’ll have to be on Monday, even if Motherwell don’t like the idea of it. The split can’t wait for Dundee’s playing surface to dry out.
If Dundee can’t fulfill a fixture due to their pitch being the problem, the SPFL might even have to consider the drastic prospect of a forfeit.
You’ve got to be fair to both parties and if Motherwell are not willing to play tomorrow or Monday then the game has to be rescheduled after the split. That’s far from ideal but this is not a problem of Motherwell’s making.
4 WAs Neil Warnock within his rights to aim a parting shot at Aberdeen legend Willie miller?
Warnock came to Scottish football, shouted his mouth off for a bit and he’s still bumping his gums from the other side of the border. Perhaps, after the backside he made of it, some quiet reflection time would be in order.
Absolutely not. Miller is Aberdeen’s greatest ever captain. Warnock was only in the building for five minutes as a caretaker.
Warnock’s shot was so far off target it must’ve landed in the North Sea. The Dons’ greatest player was within his rights to question if Warnock had any idea what he was getting into after six winless league games and some baffling team selections.