Rangers: Philippe Clement tipped to snub Tom Lawrence in brand new Old Firm twist v Celtic
Rangers manager Philippe Clement will pick Todd Cantwell ahead of Tom Lawrence for the Gers’ Old Firm derby clash with Celtic, according to Barry Ferguson.
The Light Blues welcome their Glasgow rivals to Ibrox on Sunday (7 April) for the third Old Firm meeting of the Premiership season, knowing a win will see them leapfrog Celtic and return to the top of the table.
While Ferguson believes the Light Blues’ midfield will decide the result of the game, he believes Clement will opt to snub Lawrence in favour of starting a midfield trio of John Lundstram, Mohamed Diomande and Cantwell.
Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show (3 April, 45:00) he said: “I wouldn’t be against Tom Lawrence, I just think this game on Sunday he will go with Cantwell. But if Lawrence was playing in that number 10 position I would be more than happy, I really like him.
“But I agree on Kyogo, Rangers need to keep an eye on him he’s a danger, even if he’s not had the best of seasons, these games he comes alive.”
Will Todd Cantwell start for Rangers against Celtic in the Old Firm derby?
While the Gers’ midfield will be crucial in helping Clement’s side in possession, arguably their biggest job at Ibrox on Sunday will be stopping the likes of Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley from dictating proceedings away from home.
In the last Old Firm meeting at Parkhead, Cantwell looked massively off of the pace and the game completely passed him by as Cetic ran out 2-1 winners. If the Gers want to win on Sunday, they cannot afford to let the same thing happen again.
Since that fixture, Cantwell has improved and the midfielder has looked better with each passing week at Ibrox, but Lawrence arguably offers a more solid presence out of possession that could be important in such a hard-fought game.
Hopefully, whoever Clement starts will be more than up to the challenge of stopping Celtic’s biggest stars. It won’t be easy, but Rangers will know a win here puts them in the driving seat in this title race.
In other Rangers news, Danny Murphy and Martin O’Neill have shared a “monumental” verdict ahead of the Old Firm derby
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