Rangers can be ‘hurt’ by Celtic as Brendan Rodgers tactical target predicted at Ibrox
Celtic can “hurt” Rangers by dragging their central defenders out of position and playing on the space between them and the full-backs, according to Jackie McNamara.
The former Hoops defender told Sky Sports (3 April) ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm derby at Ibrox that he expected Brendan Rodgers to target the Light Blues back line through those gaps and over the top.
Philippe Clement suffered his first Rangers defeat in the 30 December trip to Parkhead but comes into this game arguably in the ascendency, just a point behind and with a game in hand.
McNamara said: “There’s spaces there… just taking the centre-backs out of position. In between the full-backs and the centre-backs I think that’s where Celtic can hurt them.
“Over the top if it’s Kyogo [Furuhashi] coming into the space there the last thing you want is your centre-backs away out in the left-back area.
“That’s something I think that Brendan will try and implement at the weekend.. and balls over the top, they seem to struggle when they’re going back towards their own goal.”
Rangers weakness identified amid left-back question for Philippe Clement?
If Celtic are going to have success at Ibrox it wouldn’t be hugely surprising if it came via the avenues highlighted by McNamara.
John Souttar has largely been impressive of late but is certainly not infallible, while Connor Goldson’s form has dipped this season, but the more the pair are able to stay centrally with their backs towards Jack Butland the better.
The big question at left-back is likely the one that Rangers fans have their eye on above all, with Borna Barisic’s struggles in previous derby clashes a concern if Ridvan Yilmaz isn’t able to return in time from the injury he picked up over the international break.
Tentatively positive indications on the Turk’s fitness since he limped off against Hungary have raised hopes he could play but the situation looks like it could be touch and go.
There may be an argument to put excellent utility man Dujon Sterling there instead since he has emerged as such a valuable presence in the squad.
It is true that there are reasons to be confident heading to this derby but it is still going to take an impressive all-round performance to ensure a vital victory, with so much hanging in the balance.
In other Rangers news, a first-team departure has been held up by changes in the rules around it.
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