Danny Rohl has new undroppable vs Celtic as Rangers transfer finally pays off
Danny Rohl should definitely be confident as Rangers face Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final on Sunday.
Hampden Park will host the Old Firm derby on 2 November, with the two Glaswegian giants fighting for the first trophy of the season.
Rohl’s team are coming off a victory against Hibernian, with Danilo’s fifth-minute goal enough for the Gers to secure three points at Easter Road on 29 October in the 1-0 victory.
The German manager made five changes from the 3-1 win against Kilmarnock at Ibrox on 26 October, and they certainly paid off, leaving him with a selection headache for the cup tie.
Nasser Djiga deserves Rangers start vs Celtic after Hibernian display
Nasser Djiga hasn’t had the best of spells at the Gers since signing on loan in the summer from Wolves.
The Premier League outfit bought the centre-back for £10million from Red Star Belgrade in January 2025, but he hasn’t looked worth that price tag at Ibrox.
After becoming a regular under Russell Martin at the start of the season, the Burkina Faso international dropped down the pecking order due to some poor performances.
However, it looks like the centre-back is poised to revive his career at the Light Blues under Rohl, with a 7.9 rating on Sofascore against Hibs.
Djiga has made a case to start against Celtic, with 96 per cent passing accuracy at Easter Road, winning three of his four ground duels, 100 per cent of his aerial duels and making one last man tackle.
The defender also won two of his three tackles against David Gray’s team, made nine clearances, three interceptions and three recoveries.
James Tavernier numbers at Easter Road makes Danny Rohl decision clear
James Tavernier seems like the only player capable of leading at Ibrox, but it’s time the 33-year-old is phased out of the team.
Rohl substituted Jayden Meghoma for the right-back at half-time, with Max Aarons going to the left, but the captain’s display wasn’t the best, playing a part in allowing Junior Hoilett to get behind the defence and win a penalty after a foul from Connor Barron.
While Jack Butland saved Jamie McGrath’s spot kick, it showed Tavernier’s frailties: he lost possession nine times against Hibs, had a passing accuracy of 56 per cent in the opposition half and failed to find the target with any of his four crosses.
While the English will hope to start against Celtic, Aarons did a better job as a wing-back and Djiga was solid at right-centre-back, leaving Rohl with an easy decision to make regarding his starting lineup at Hampden Park.
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