Celtic travel to Ibrox for a noon showdown today with a massive three points up for grabs. A win today would be an unbelievable step toward the Hoop’s title chances for this season.
Celtic have lost one league title in the last ten seasons and fans are desperate to have that piece of silverware back in the trophy room at Paradise. BUT, let us not get ahead of ourselves, travelling over to the other side of the city and snatching three points with a fraction of our away supporters is no easy task.
The good news is that Ange Postecoglou is only without James Forrest for today’s derby. Turnbull, Rogic and Kyogo are all back available for selection. Ange doesn’t believe in not playing attacking football so his team selection today will be interesting.
Despite a fully fit squad this team almost picks itself today apart from one or two positions. Before the international break, the Australian brought Bitton into the starting eleven and with good effect. Will Bitton start today and at the expense of who?
The other player who might have a battle on his hands to start is Abada. The young Israelian has some red hot stats this season and he played unbelievable in the last derby but he might be sacrificed today to play Maeda and Jota.
Reo Hatate was directly involved in all three of Celtic’s goals against the Ibrox team in their 3-0 win over them in February (two goals, one assist).
With the teams just announced, this is how the Celts line up today:
📋 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 📋
The 𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙩𝙨 line up as follows ⤵️#RANCEL | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG🍀 pic.twitter.com/IoYrYtI7WZ
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) April 3, 2022
As we expected Abada is on the bench with Maeda playing out on the left with Jota on the right. The inform Giakoumakis leads the line with no sign of Kyogo in the squad.
Celtic won the last Scottish Premiership Old Firm derby 3-0 in February, scoring as many goals in that match as their previous six league meetings with Rangers combined beforehand (three). The Hoops last won back-to-back league games against Rangers in September 2018 under Brendan Rodgers (run of three).
The Bhoys are unbeaten in their last 25 league games (W21 D4), including 13 away from home (W11 D2). It’s the club’s longest unbeaten league run since they went 56 without defeat from May 2016 to December 2017.
