SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP TODAY 12.15pm KICK-OFF

PROUD RECORDS TO DEFEND

CELTIC are looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the league campaign in their Invincible bid. The visitors have won 18 of their 19 Premiership matches and are looking to extend their 14-match winning run. However, Rangers are defending a proud record of their own. The hosts are unbeaten in 15 months at Ibrox since losing to St Johnstone in a League Cup tie last September. Although Celtic are widely seen as favourites, Rangers’ impressive home record could be a handy leveller for Mark Warburton’s side.

RANGERS’ BLUES AT THE BACK

RANGERS have an almighty task to keep free-scoring Celtic out today. Warburton is sweating over the fitness of Lee Wallace and Clint Hill, whilst confidence might be fragile after Rob Kiernan’s blunder in midweek cost Rangers all three points at St Johnstone. The Ibrox men’s rearguard crumbled in humiliating fashion in September and it is hard to envisage a patched-up defence shutting out a Celtic side blessed with a variety of attacking options that include Stuart Armstrong and Leigh Griffiths (below), Moussa Dembele and fit-again Scott Sinclair.

GOAL RUSHES AND SHORTAGES

CELTIC have scored 52 league goals compared to Rangers’ 27 this season and Rodgers’ men have played one less Premiership game than their hosts. Even more worrying for Warburton’s side, Celtic seem more prolific away from Parkhead. They have netted 11 goals in their last three away matches. To put that tally into perspective, Celtic have bagged 11 goals in their last six home games in the league. Meanwhile, Rangers have only scored more than two goals in just one of their 20 Premiership matches, a 3-0 home win over KIlmarnock in October.