Old Firm final: Biggest Game of the Season

With a nine point lead over their city rivals and on a for four month unbeaten streak, the green half of Glasgow go into this one favourites, but Rangers can take a lot of confidence based on the 2-2 draw at Ibrox earlier this year, given they were arguably the better side on that day.

Glasgow’s big two meet again. This time it’s more than just city supremacy at stake. The first trophy of the season and momentum going into the back end of the season. Its Michael Beale vs Ange Postecoglou. It’s Rangers vs Celtic, at Hampden Park, in an Old Firm cup final. It doesn’t get much bigger for Scottish football.

Where the game will be won:

Celtic's recent games we see them progress the ball quickly up the park through key players in Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor. The get the ball and drive through the lines before giving it to Mooy or O’Reily, then Jota Kyogo and Maeda or Abada and dominate the ball in the final third, with it almost being muscle memory for them with Ange’s style of play being drilled into them over the last two years.

And whoever the Australian picks in his midfield will be key. Aaron Mooy has been in fine form since the World Cup and being almost indispensable for the hoops, but he missed last weeks 4-0 thumping of Aberdeen due to injury. Ange has said that he is fit for this monstrous clash, but would he be willing to risk him not being fully fit in what will be a high speed encounter. Matt O’Riley will be more than good enough to take his place however.

So, if Rangers and Beale have any chance of winning, they will need to stop them progressing through McGregor and Hatate. Given that Niko Raskin has come in and looked incredibly impressive in his first two games, he will have a midfield battle on his hand. His partner will be interesting with who Beale goes with. Glen Kamara has played recently and played quite well, but someone who’s more of a screener and better at breaking up play, like Lundstram or Jack, could be a better option.

Other than stopping Celtic though, imposing their own style of play on the game will be needed as well. Fashion Sakala has been in the headlines following his comments in the presser, but going under the radar is that he was a key performer in the Ibrox draw, getting an assist and winning then light blues’ penalty. Whether the Rangers boss goes with the Zambian or new signing Todd Cantwell will be at the forefront of Rangers’ fans minds.

Light blues supporters will be watching and waiting with fear to see of Malik Tillman has receive recovered from his injury that saw him miss the 3-0 victory over Livingston. The American has been nothing short of outstanding since Beales come in and has gained love from the Ibrox faithful. A lot of fans begging Ross Wilson and Rangers to sign him on a permanent basis from Bayern Munich.

If Rangers are going to have any chance of getting a victory Tillman needs to be fit as he is so crucial to their creativity he links the midfield two to the attack, and he also is good at making runs beyond the defence which is difficult to pick up for any team.

Predicted line ups:

Rangers: McGregor; Tavernier Goldson Davies Barisic; Lundstram Raskin; Sakala Tillman Kent; Morelos

Celtic: Hart; Johnston Carter-Vickers Starfelt Taylor; McGregor Hatate O’Riley; Maeda Kyogo Jota

Predicted score: Rangers 2-1 Celtic AET

I don’t believe there is much between the two sides and the game at Ibrox proves that. Beale is an intelligent enough coach to come up with a system to stop Celtic. I also feel, with Celtic nine points clear and look on course for the title, Rangers need it more and despite Beale's almost downplaying the occasion in public. I would be stunned if that’s the message he’s giving to his players behind closed doors. If he could be in the job for a handful of months and already have matched the number of trophies he got the last time he was at the club, that will be a massive boost for him going into the rest of his career.