View: Rangers predicted XI vs Celtic
Rangers will step onto the Ibrox pitch on Sunday afternoon to take on Celtic in a huge top of the table clash in the Scottish Premierhsip.
The massive Old Firm derby comes immediately after the international break, so Giovanni van Bronckhorst won’t have long to organise his team and prepare them for a game that could see them move level on points at the top of the table.
But after three wins in a row in the league, the manager has some decisions to make on his team for the game as he looks to avenge the 3-0 defeat at Celtic Park back in February.
One position that won’t be up for grabs is the goalkeeper. Allan McGregor has been in excellent form for the Light Blues in recent weeks and will certainly keep his place between the sticks for this game.
Ahead of him in defence, captain James Tavernier’s place is also assured following yet another astounding season at right-back.
Connor Goldson should get the nod in central defence too despite the speculation around his future, but he should be partnered by Nigerian international Leon Balogun who can replace Filip Helander from the win over Dundee last time out.
Calvin Bassey made his international debut during the international break and has made the left-back role his own, so should go straight back into the side.
In midfield the manager has got a bit of a selection headache ahead of him. Ryan Jack, John Lundstram, Glen Kamara and Aaron Ramsey have all been in good form and are competing for the three central spots.
For this game though, the added quality of the Welshman should be enough to see him get the nod in a slightly more advanced role with Jack and Lundstram providing defensive stability behind him.
Joe Aribo should return from Nigeria duty with plenty of time to go back into the side on the right-wing, a position that he has cemented down in the absence of Ianis Hagi in recent months.
Ryan Kent has been in flying form on the left and will almost certainly start the game to continue his relationship with Colombian hitman Alfredo Morelos up front.
The 25-year-old is seen as an injury doubt after being sent home from international duty with a thigh problem, but there is no way GvB goes into this game without his main man if he has any say and it’s expected that he will start the game unless he is physically unable to.
Predicted XI: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun, Bassey; Lundstram, Jack; Aribo, Ramsey, Kent; Morelos
In other Rangers news, Mark Hateley tells Rangers not to prioritise competitions, makes Old Firm derby prediction