Kenny Miller names his Rangers starting XI v Celtic, gushes over ‘excellent’ Nicolas Raskin
Kenny Miller has picked his Rangers team to face Celtic in the Old Firm derby next week (8 April) and believes Nicolas Raskin could be key to a win.
Both teams have an identical record in the league since Michael Beale took over during the World Cup break, leaving nine points between them at the top of the table heading into the clash at Parkhead.
In fact the only defeat Beale has endured as boss at Ibrox was the Scottish League Cup final in February where he opted not to start January signing Raskin, and Miller wrote in his column for the Daily Record (2 April) that he must start to control the midfield.
“In terms of his team, for me, eight players pick themselves,” he said.
“McGregor, James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Ben Davies, Borna Barisic, Ryan Kent, Fashion Sakala and Antonio Colak all play.
“As ever with this Rangers side, midfield is where all the big dilemmas are. If fit, I reckon Nico Raskin and Todd Cantwell definitely play after being left out of the starting XI at Hampden. Alongside them, it’s one from Ryan Jack or John Lundstram.
“Glen Kamara has dropped down the pecking order while Malik Tillman probably won’t play if Cantwell gets the nod. Trying to find the right blend and combination to beat Celtic? My mind is boggling at the thought of it. But all I’d say is this. Rangers cannot allow Celtic to have control in the game.
“On Saturday, Rangers need to take that control away from Celtic. They need to eliminate it. And then impose their own game. That’s why I expect Raskin to play. So far, he has made things look easy in a Rangers shirt.
“In a frantic game at Easter Road recently, he bossed it. His positioning behind the ball was excellent. I’ve been really impressed with him so far.”
Decisive
This is a game that isn’t going to be decisive in the title race, because even the most optimistic Rangers fans will tell you there is very little hope of winning the title this season.
But there is a chance for Michael Beale and the players to put right the performance they turned in at Hampden Park in that cup final.
The draw in the league at Ibrox was a better performance but only for 45 minutes, and we have seen with the results against the rest of the teams in the league that we can more than compete with them at the top of the table.
But if we cannot beat them then we won’t be able to win the title, and Beale will know that as well as anyone.
This is a game that will be a measuring stick for next season more so than anything else, and if Raskin can put on a show to the level he has done in recent months then there is every chance we shock everyone.
In other Rangers news, major Old Firm boost as Celtic ace suffers new injury.