Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell decisions as John Lundstram axed – Predicted Rangers XI vs Celtic
Nicolas Raskin is predicted to miss out on a place in the Rangers starting XI for the Old Firm derby clash at Parkhead this weekend.
The young Belgian almost certainly starts this game if he is fit but the January signing has been absent since before the international break with an injury, last featuring almost a month ago for the 3-0 Scottish Cup victory over Raith Rovers.
Had he been available to play some part against Dundee United last weekend it would have put him in line to start, but it would be a gamble for Michael Beale to throw him back in from the start for a game of this magnitude, with Brian Laudrup saying in the Scottish Daily Mail [4 April, p.70] the 22-year-old would need to be “flying” in training to start, so the only change from the 2-0 win at Ibrox last Saturday (1 April) sees John Lundstram dropped for Fashion Sakala.
Midfield is where it was lost at Hampden Park on 28 March, so it is all change from the Viaplay Cup final, but slightly less change from the win over Dundee United.
Lundstram and Glen Kamara were seen as one-pace in the cup, and the game changed after second half changes, so even though the Merseysider has made 24 league starts this season Beale is predicted to go with a more energetic central pairing of Ryan Jack and Raskin’s fellow January arrival Todd Cantwell, with Malik Tillman who has scored five league goals in his past four SPFL appearances just in front.
The other big decision for the manager is up front, where Antonio Colak might feel slightly aggrieved to miss out, but despite Alfredo Morelos’ future looking increasingly uncertain it is the Colombian who Beale clearly feels is the right man to face Celtic as he has preferred him to the Croatian in both meetings so far.
Allan McGregor is the only option in goal for this one, and the back four currently picks itself with James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Ben Davies and Borna Barisic now a relatively settled unit.
The Croatian left-back will need to vastly improve his showing at Parkhead after being a high-profile part of both the heavy defeats Rangers have suffered there in the past two seasons, but there is little chance that Ridvan Yilmaz suddenly gets chucked in for this fixture with so little football yet in Scotland.
Jack should remain at the base of the midfield, with Cantwell withdrawn slightly to partner him, while the pace and creativity of Ryan Kent, Tillman and Sakala provide extra legs further forward in support of Morelos.
Beale would desperately like to have Raskin fit for this one, but having missed out entirely for the win at Ibrox last weekend, it would be a major gamble to put him straight back in from the start unless he was 100% sure he was up to the pace.
In other Rangers news, a well-placed for Ibrox favourite could be set to help the club secure a potentially game-changing signing.