Saikat Mandal

Fri 30 December 2022 13:26, UK

Rangers will face Celtic in the second Old Firm derby clash of the season on Monday (2 January) looking to cut the gap with their rivals to six points.

Neil Lennon has predicted a 2-1 win for his former club, suggesting that the Scottish champions “handle the derbies really well”.

He says it is “up to Michael Beale” to try and stop their rivals who won the previous encounter 4-0 at Celtic Park on 3 September.

“I think Celtic will win 2-1. Morelos will score for Rangers with Kyogo and O’Riley scoring for Celtic,” Lennon told Boyle Sport, as relayed by Football Scotland.

“Celtic handle the opposition really well and the physicality of the game too. They also score goals in bunches and handle the derbies really well. Ange has an excellent record in the Old Firm as well.

“Going into the game on the back of a 4-0 win will also give Celtic plenty of confidence. Celtic will look to play at a high intensity, and it is up to Michael Beale to try and stop this.”

Ibrox factor

Celtic are in tremendous form but this game could be pivotal in the context of the title race.

Rangers are nine points behind the Bhoys, and they have to win this one to reduce the gap to six points.

If Celtic win the tie, they will be 12 points clear of their rivals, and it will become impossible for the Bears to catch them.

The home form has improved under Beale and the convincing 3-0 win against Motherwell on Wednesday (28 December) must have given them enough confidence.

In a game of this magnitude, anything can happen but Rangers’ best chance of winning this game is by getting a blitzkrieg start.

They must not let Celtic settle down. Rangers usually reach different gears when Ibrox is at its electrifying best, and that can only happen if they can get an early goal.

The Bears have picked up five wins in their last six games, although momentum matters little in derby games.

In other Rangers news, a £5million twist has emerged in Southampton’s bid to sign Ryan Kent.