Old Firm Preview: Title decider Already?

January 2nd 2023. Glasgow big two clash once again. For one it’s a must win, for the other it’s a must not lose. The new year bells are still ringing, and this meeting could already decide who will be lifting the trophy come May 28th.

Given the league table and the previous Old Firm game, it is a must win for the Ibrox side if they have any chance of winning the league. Nine points behind and Celtic at the free flowing best scoring goals left right and centre, so it will be a big task if, new boss, Michael Beale wants to maintain his 100% start.

Both teams go into this one in good form with both teams 12 from 12 following the world cup break and Beale currently experiencing a new manager bounce following Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s sacking. And whilst the performances aren’t at the standard that the former QPR boss would like, getting results while being nine points behind is priority for him.

And the injury list is slowly but surely coming down for Beale with his two main centre halves, Connor Goldson and Ben Davies, returning and getting two clean sheets out of two. The forward line is getting stronger as well for Beale are also returning with Kemar Roofe and, top scorer, Antonio Colak both expected to be back for the biggest game of the season.

As for Celtic, Ange Postecoglu doesn’t have a lot of issues on the Injury front. The Australian has a headache in terms of having too many options with Reo Hatate, Aaron Mooy, Callum McGregor and Matt O’Reily all in form and Josip Juranovic also returning from being a mainstay in Croatia’s third place finish at the World Cup. So it’s a case of who misses put in Govan for the Parkhead side, the strength in depth for Celtic is massive and is the main reason they are nine points clear at the top.

Key Players

Ryan Kent

Kent has been a new man ever since Beale has been appointed, the tactical tweak of giving him more of a free role has given him freedom and we have seen the best of Ryan Kent and if Rangers are to get anything on the 2nd January then they will need the English man to be at his best.

He has also thrived in Old Firm games with two goals and four assists coming against Celtic and with his form as it is he will go into the game full of confidence and desperate to help his side to the three points.

Jota

The Portuguese international has got a point to prove having, missed out on a seat on the plane to Qatar and whilst not being in the best of form, now got zero goal involvements in his last six games, there is no doubting his quality as a player and if there is one game that he will want to end his goal drought, it’s this one.

He will be looking to add to his two goals against Rangers having scored a delightful chip in the 4-0 thrashing earlier on in the season.

Predicted line Ups

Rangers

McGregor; Tavernier Goldson Davies Barisic; Lundstram Jack; Lowry Tillman Kent; Morelos

Celtic

Hart; Juranovic Carter Vickers Starfelt Taylor; McGregor Hatate O’Riley; Maeda Kyogo Jota