Barry Ferguson sees important reason Aaron Ramsey won’t start in Rangers v Celtic
Aaron Ramsey won’t start for Rangers because he doesn’t have the ability to shut down Celtic captain Callum McGregor says Barry Ferguson.
The former Gers captain wants to see the Welsh star next to Ryan Jack and John Lundstram in the centre of the park, but expects Giovanni van Bronckhorst to have an eye on breaking up the opponent’s game plan.
Ferguson told Go Radio, via Football Scotland: “I think he’ll go with Jack, Lundstram and Glen Kamara.
“The simple fact is that’s the area with Celtic, where you can’t let Callum McGregor dictate the play.
“I think if you have Aaron Ramsey there – look, I think he’s a top class player, I just don’t think he’s got the bit where he can go and stop Callum McGregor from dictating the play, so that’s why I think he’ll go for a Glen Kamara or Joe Aribo, but that’s the three I think he’ll go with.
“I would like to see Aaron Ramsey start. I think he’s a world class player, but I don’t see it.”
Crucial calls
After what happened in the most recent Old Firm derby at the beginning of February the Light Blues boss knows he has to get his tactics right.
The game was out of sight by half time that night, and he cannot risk something similar this time round or the title defence could be over.
His side have proven themselves up to the challenge of the biggest matches since then, with the lesser fixtures proving more of an issue.
So he should be confident that his players are up for the fight, especially with the Ibrox crowd behind them.
But the Glasgow rivals are top for a reason, and it seems likely the Bears boss will want his line up to be able to disrupt the Hoops’ game as much as play their own.
On-loan Juventus star Ramsey is sure to play some part in his first Old Firm game though, having watched the last one from the stands.
His national coach Rob Page confirmed there was no injury after some concerns following the 2-1 win over Austria.
He suggested his own awareness of the weekend’s clash was behind his decision to leave Ramsey out of the Czech Republic draw.
He said, via Wales Online: “What we have to do is show respect for the clubs as well. We’ve got their players. Aaron’s 30-plus-years-old now.”
In other Rangers news, one former Ger has dropped a hint about the future of current star Alfredo Morelos.