Rangers vs Celtic | SPFL Game Week 4

Normally with an Old Firm due, I would be writing about battle fever, showing no respect on the pitch and getting the job done, no matter what. This one’s a bit different though, with both sides vying for worst European result of the week in the build up.

Many Rangers fans found a lot of humour in Celtic’s defeat to Kazakhstan side, Kairat Almaty, however it didn’t take long for the tables to turn, with a humiliating 6-0 defeat on the night, to Club Brugges. I will leave it to others to debate which result was worse but one this that we will all agree on is, neither was a good result for Scottish football overall.

This leaves me expecting less of a battle of the titans, as opposed to something from a Tom and Jerry sketch. Domestically, despite a poor run of form, Celtic have always found a way to come through with the three points. Rangers on the other hand, have failed to pick up a win yet with three draws to their name.

Looking at the opposition, they’ve got a few players out. Johnston is out for the long term after suffering a recent hamstring injury and Jota, is another long term absentee. They are also missing Auston Trusty at CB but his return date is much closer and potentially he could make this one.

Rangers is harder to call with only long term absentee, Dujon Sterling, missing for this one. What makes it harder to call is persistent rumours of falling outs within the dressing room. This appears to be particularly focussed on Nico Raskin, who many are reporting will not feature and has been banished to train with the kids.

Following that midweek defeat by Brugges, you would have to think the manager would want to change things up but his hands may be slightly tied by who is available to him. The only position you would think is safe, is Jack Butlands. Despite conceding six, he was the best player on the park in white and the truth is, he probably stopped it being double figures!

In defence, I would expect to see Souttar, Djiga and Meghoma all retain their places. Meghoma has been one of the few brighter lights over the last run of games, Souttar and Djiga are clearly the first choice picks at this time.

Where Martin may have to think is at RB, with Max Aarons selling the jersey early in the Brugges game. It’s hard to know what he was thinking in that moment, with some surmising he didn’t even want to be on the pitch. Rumours swirl about a Martin / Tavernier fall out at the same time as the Raskin rumours. Martin denied any rifts in his presser but you would imagine who he starts at RB will tell us the truth of the matter. If he starts Aarons after midweek then I would be inclined to believe the rumours.

In the middle of the pitch things get harder. All the data shows that the vast majority of our moves forward come from the wings, not through the middle, with midfielders being deployed towards the wings to provide triangles with the FB and winger on that side. It’s fair to say this may have contributed to our troubles, with us struggling to get forward and create in the opposition area. So who does he play?

Common sense would suggest Raskin should start given his influence in these games last year but the reality is, Rothwell is likely to start there. He has appeared unfit and unsuited to building play from deep but I do expect Martin to continue with him. The two further forward and wing based midfielders, I expect to be Aasgaard and Cameron. I do have concerns about Aasgaard in this game as I think it may be too much for him physically but again, knowing how Martin wants to play he would likely be the choice.

Up top there is again some debate. On the wings it will surely be Antman and Gassama but who starts up front? Dessers is working back from injury and it would be a huge call to put him in from the off, however Danilo has just not taken advantage of the chance to claim the jersey. He has looked slow, lethargic and off the pace since the competitive games started. This leaves freshly announced Bojan Miovski who knows the league from his time at Aberdeen. Could Martin drop him straight in? Well it would be a surprise but never say never, especially with the positive influence from both Antman and Meghoma who were chucked in just after signing.

Predicted side:

Butland

Tavernier, Djiga, Souttar, Meghoma

Rothwell

Cameron, Aasgaard

Antman, Gassama

Miovski

Predicted score: 3-1 Celtic

I almost always predict Rangers wins when I write these, as you want to hope for the best from your team but the way things are at the moment, alongside the recent form it’s really hard to see a Rangers win here. I do hope I’m wrong!