Rangers confirmed XI v Celtic: Aaron Ramsey starts, Kemar Roofe up front
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Rangers starting `XI for the massive visit of Celtic to Ibrox for the Old Firm derby has been confirmed.
The crunch clash is the first Scottish Premiership fixture since the international break for both sides and gives Gers the opportunity to draw level on points at the top of the table with a win.
The Dutchman has replaced the injured Alfredo Morelos with Kemar Roofe up front, and handed Welsh loan star Aaron Ramsey his biggest start yet.
Allan McGregor is no surprise in goal, behind a strong back four of captain James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Leon Balogun and Calvin Bassey.
Ramsey returns from Wales duty to slot into a midfield trio with Ryan Jack and John Lundstram.
Joe Aribo and Ryan Kent support Jamaican international Roofe in attack, for this massive match.
Couldn’t be bigger
The Light Blues suffered a major blow during the international break when Morelos picked up an injury with Colombia.
Van Bronckhorst confirmed on Friday (1 April) that he is set to be out for at least a couple of weeks.
With the main goalscoring threat ruled out, along with long-term absentee Ianis Hagi, it is imperative that others step up to fill the void.
El Bufalo will have now missed two Old Firm derbies in a row due to international duty, without actually playing a minute for Colombia.
Gers have won their last three in the league, each time by a solitary goal, and simply must get a positive result today.
Their goal difference is inferior to the Hoops’ by 14 so the current gap is effectively four points.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have also won their previous three SPFL games but boosted their goal difference by eight in that time.
The Bears have to have learnt their lesson from the 3-0 reverse at Parkhead where they wilted in the face of an early onslaught.
Something similar in reverse would blow the title race wide open, and while a draw would make things tricky they would live to fight another day.
Defeat is unthinkable in what is a hugely crucial game.
In other Rangers news, a Willie Collum stat has emerged that will have Light Blues fans worried as he takes charge of this game.