Former Celtic centre-forward turned pundit Chris Sutton thinks three particular players in the Hoops’ team will be key in the upcoming Glasgow derby, and that manager Brendan Rodgers will be excited at the prospect of them dominating the game.
Sutton reckons the crucial clash will be won and lost in the middle of the park and that if Callum McGregor, Matt O’Riley, and Reo Hatate turn up tomorrow, Rodgers will get his hands on yet another title.
The trio have started just six league games together throughout the campaign, none of which have been against Rangers.
In years gone by, they have dominated derbies and with the skipper looking back to full fitness combined with O’Riley and Hatate’s form, things bode well.
Indeed, Sutton thinks they will be critical in tomorrow’s game.
He said: [RecordSport] “Callum McGregor. Matt O’Riley. Reo Hatate. It’s going to take more than three players for Celtic to get the job done against Rangers. But, if the trio fire, the title will belong to Brendan Rodgers.
“It is obvious that Celtic are a different animal when these boys are working in unison.
“They are proven players, with top-class ability and, crucially, an ability to handle the pressure situation they will face tomorrow and deliver on the stage.
“Rodgers will be licking his lips at the prospect of these three taking control of proceedings on Saturday.”
There is no doubt that the derby will be a difficult game but if McGregor, Hatate, and O’Riley are on-form, they can dominate the engine room and thus the match.
They have been key in past derbies and for the first time in just under a year, they will get the nod together versus Rangers this Saturday as the Hoops aim to wrap up the title.
