Nicolas Raskin and Cyriel Dessers axed – Rangers predicted XI v Celtic in Old Firm derby clash
Michael Beale could make as many as four changes to his Rangers starting lineup for the first Old Firm derby clash of the season with Celtic.
Rangers head into the huge game at Ibrox licking their wounds after a 5-1 thumping at the hands of PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night, which sent them packing to the Europa League rather than Champions League.
And now Beale must make some decisions on his starting lineup for the game as they look to bounce back and potentially move above their fierce rivals with a big win before the international break.
Jack Butland is still the number one stopper despite the thrashing in midweek and will start his first Old Firm clash between the sticks.
The defence still picks itself for the most part too, with James Tavernier, Connor Goldson and John Souttar all expected to start as they are the first-choice options. But Borna Barisic is likely to miss out after pulling up with a muscle problem and while Ridvan Yilmaz is yet to feature this season, Dujon Sterling is likely to fill in at left-back.
In midfield Nicolas Raskin had a performance to forget in midweek and it could see him drop out of the team despite being a favourite of Beale’s.
John Lundstram and Ryan Jack both provide energy, aggression and experience in this game and could get the nod in a team set up to be tough to beat, with summer signing Jose Cifuentes alongside them to add a bit more quality on the ball too.
Just ahead of them will be Todd Cantwell, operating between the lines and with license to get forward and create havoc as well as with a responsibility to defend when out of possession.
Up front Cyriel Dessers has struggled at times and was hopeless against PSV Eindhoven in midweek and that could see him lose his place in the side.
Kemar Roofe has been tipped to start again after his goal last week, but Beale is more likely to go with summer signings Sam Lammers and Danilo as a pairing with the Jamaica international being an option off the bench instead.
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