Keith Jackson predicts scoreline of Rangers v Celtic Old Firm clash
Rangers will take on Celtic in the Old Firm derby clash on Monday (2 January), and Keith Jackson has predicted a 2-0 defeat for Michael Beale’s side.
Writing for the Daily Record (2 January, page 42), Jackson wrote that the Bears can “kiss the title goodbye” if they fail to win the game on Monday.
The Gers are heading into this game on the back of four consecutive wins and they can reduce the gap to six points with a win at Ibrox.
“Rangers can kiss the title goodbye unless they take all three points today. But just because they need them doesn’t mean they’ll get them,” wrote Jackson for The Daily Record.
“Celtic look too strong, too slick and too fast for Michael Beale’s side at this early stage in the new man’s reign. If Celtic score first, it could be a long day for the Ibrox side. Rangers 0 Celtic 2.”
Unpredictable
The beauty of a derby game is that it’s unpredictable.
It is natural to back Celtic to win here because they have been outstanding so far, but anything can happen in a high-octane game like this.
Jackson is spot on here. Rangers cannot allow Celtic to take the lead early. They need the home fans to be on top of their voice throughout the game, and the Bears usually exceed their limits under an electrifying atmosphere.
The last time, the two sides met, Rangers lost 4-0 against the Bhoys. Since then, a lot has changed at Ibrox. Michael Beale will be looking to prove the doubters wrong by picking up his first Old Firm derby win as a manager.
Rangers have kept clean sheets in their last two games and they need to stay resolute at the back.
This is an important game for both Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent. The duo is facing an uncertain future at the club, and a strong performance is needed from them.
In other Rangers news, a £5million twist has emerged in Southampton’s bid to sign Ryan Kent.