Rangers vs Celtic: Dig aimed at Hibs amid Cyriel Dessers prediction for Old Firm derby
Roger Hannah has tipped Rangers to sneak a tight victory by a single goal in the Old Firm derby on Sunday (7 April) in a game they need to win to prevent Celtic winning a third-straight title.
The Scottish Sun journalist tipped Cyriel Dessers to potentially be the man to score it in his 1-0 prediction for the paper’s website on 5 April, while aiming a sly dig at Hibs over their mildly controversial social media post during the 3-1 Gers win last week.
The post left the Easter Road side facing SFL disciplinary action for suggesting they had a sweepstake going on when James Tavernier would be taking a Light Blues penalty [Glasgow Times, 30 March], an outcome which left former Hibees striker Tam McManus less than impressed [Daily Record, 2 April].
In highlighting the importance of a home win Hannah said: “Rangers haven’t won a league game against Celtic when it mattered since August 2021 – when Filip Helander netted in Ange Postecoglou’s first derby.
“This is a huge game for Gers and, for me, it’s now or never for them in the title race. If they don’t win on Sunday, I can’t see them wrecking Celtic’s dreams of Three in a Row.
“They struggle at Celtic Park and, if they go there with a lead of just two points, you’d worry for them. I think Gers’ need is greater this weekend and that might just tip the balance in their favour.
“The Hibs twitter admin will probably have James Tavernier for the first goal. But what price Cyriel Dessers to finally silence the sceptics – me included – with the only goal of the game?”
Philippe Clement must get first Rangers Old Firm victory for SPFL title?
The Hibs issue seemed like a fairly minor one at the time but could rear its head again if there is a contentious penalty decision on Sunday.
Tavernier will always seem like as good a pick as anyone in the Light Blues side to make the difference if Rangers are to pick up a crucial win, but it would certainly help cement Dessers’ redemption from a difficult start if he could come up with a crucial contribution.
If the Gers lose this game they could still be just a point behind once again within three days with their rescheduled trip to Dundee following closely after.
But given the recent history in the derby it is vital that Rangers start to get important results against their main rivals.
The title can’t be won or lost at Ibrox this weekend but a win for either side would be a major statement, so with the 30 December defeat leaving Philippe Clement without a result in the most important fixture he will potentially be under slightly more pressure than Brendan Rodgers to take advantage of this opportunity to right that wrong at home.
In other Rangers news, a pundit is surprised that a key Celtic man hasn’t been banned for as many as five games for what he did.
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