Celtic are back in Premiership action this afternoon with the short trip across the city to face Rangers at Ibrox, and Martin O’Neill has named his starting XI.
The midweek trip to Germany adds another layer. Celtic put a lot into that match. The question was always how O’Neill would manage the legs after a heavy schedule. Ibrox rarely allows you to ease into it, so energy in the first spell matters.
Rangers will look to press high and feed off the crowd. Celtic have to be cleaner in possession than they were in the last meeting. Too many loose passes in your own half here and the noise builds quickly. That puts pressure on the back line and on whoever starts in midfield.
There has also been talk around selection in key areas. Experience often counts in this fixture, but form plays its part too. O’Neill has had to weigh both. The balance between control and direct threat will shape how Celtic approach the game.
Set-pieces could play a huge role. These matches can be tight. One good delivery, one second ball reacted to quicker than anyone else, can decide it. Concentration has to hold from the first whistle to the last.
Here is the Celtic starting XI to face Rangers:
Kick-off is at 12:00pm, with live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football. We’ll have full reaction and analysis after the final whistle.
