Kris Boyd makes ‘Huge’ claim ahead of Rangers clash v Celtic
Kris Boyd has made a massive claim as Rangers face Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
Parkhead will host Barry Ferguson’s team on 16 March as the Gers sit 16 points behind their Old Firm rivals in the league table.
The Light Blues are coming off an emphatic victory over Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday (13 March) and have qualified for the quarter-finals after winning on penalties at Ibrox.
With the Old Firm derby coming up next, the Bears won’t have time to think about beating Jose Mourinho’s team, but Boyd feels the fixtures against the Turkish outfit will affect them.
Rangers to get huge lift for Celtic fixture at Parkhead
Boyd believes the Gers should get a huge lift for the Celtic fixture after winning the Europa League last-16.
The former Scotland international expects the Light Blues will need to show their strength early on at Parkhead.
| Competition | Winner | Result |
| Scottish Premiership | Rangers | 3-0 |
| Scottish League Cup | Cletic | 8-7 on penalties |
| Scottish Premiership | Celtic | 3-0 |
While the Bears shouldn’t be pleased about their recent home form, Boyd has given them credit for staying calm during the penalty shootout.
The ex-forward wrote in The Scottish Sun (14 March): “Rangers will need plenty of character to get through the early period and grow into the game [against Celtic]. But they should get a huge lift from the spirit and resolve they showed to get past Fenerbahce.
“Mourinho’s side deserved to win in 90 minutes, and a fourth home defeat in a row for the first time ever isn’t a welcome stat for this Gers squad. But they deserve huge credit for staying really calm during that tense penalty shootout.”
Ferguson will be confident going into Celtic fixture
Ferguson may be without a couple of players at Parkhead, but the interim manager will be confident of getting the better of Celtic.
The Gers icon has brought fresh ideas to the Light Blues since replacing Philippe Clement in the dugout, leading to a change in formation.
Ferguson has played five defenders in recent matches, with James Tavernier partnering John Souttar and Leon Balogun against Fenerbahce at Ibrox.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see the interim boss starting with the same team if all of them are fit enough to play against the Hoops.
While it would be a surprise to see Ferguson being handed the job at Ibrox permanently, he would make a case for himself if the Bears beat Celtic in fine fashion.
Clement struggled to get wins in the Old Firm derbies during his tenure at the Gers, but the former Scotland midfielder, along with Billy Dodds, Allan McGregor and Neil McCann, will definitely be looking to change that.
The Light Blues will undoubtedly be in high spirits after the manner of victory against Fenerbahce and will need to take that confidence to Parkhead.