Philippe Clement risks Borna Barisic nightmare as Rangers XI confirmed for Celtic clash
Philippe Clement has taken a major risk by naming Borna Barisic in his Rangers starting XI for the Old Firm derby, with Ridvan Yilmaz left on the bench.
The Turkish international left-back finally returned to action off the bench in the win over Kilmarnock last week, after missing six games through injury.
But despite Croatian veteran Barisic’s well-documented struggles in key clashes with Celtic, especially at Parkhead, he has been named in the XI as Clement makes two changes from last time out.
Injured centre-back Leon Balogun is a key absentee as Ben Davies starts alongside John Souttar in another risky decision at the back, which could potentially compound the possible problem on the left.
Todd Cantwell has also been dropped to the bench in favour of Tom Lawrence in attacking midfield, while the manager has opted to stick with Fabio Silva over the likes of Ross McCausland despite the Wolves loanee being branded a “dangerous” liability ahead of kick off.
Barisic is expected to leave Ibrox to join Trabzonspor when his contract expires in a matter of weeks, but he has been handed a crucial assignment against Brendan Rodgers’ side before that all the same.
Jack Butland is in goal, with captain James Tavernier completing the back four. John Lundstram, who is set to join Barisic in Turkey, is next to Mohamed Diomande in the middle with Dujon Sterling joining Silva and Lawrence behind Cyriel Dessers up front.
Rangers need long-awaited win at Parkhead
Clement may have disagreed with the suggestion that the final league derby of the season was a must-win game but it is difficult to see anything but three points being enough to keep the title alive.
Even a defeat wouldn’t officially crown the Hoops but given the recent form of the two Old Firm rivals but with just two games each left to play after the derby it still might not be enough to snatch the league away even with a victory.
In addition, another trip to Parkhead without victory will only increase the view the size of the task for next time, with it closing on five years since Rangers last won on the other side of the city, and even longer since they did so in front of Celtic supporters.
Clement is still searching for his first win in the derby at the third attempt, and while his reign at Ibrox has improved a great deal on many elements of Michael Beale’s he has so far followed his predecessor in securing that result in a meaningful match.
The Scottish Cup final will be his final attempt this term whatever happens here and the Belgian can, as ever, point to extensive injury issues within in his squad in mitigation.
But the options he has chosen for the task at Celtic Park must improve of the disastrous start they made in the draw at Ibrox last month if they are to get an important result.
In other Rangers news, the Light Blues are lying in wait to snap up a sought-after free transfer from the Premier League.
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