Celtic travel to Ibrox this afternoon in what will be Brendan Rodgers’ 13th game in charge against Rangers with a win all but ending the upstarts’ title challenge credentials.
Under Rodgers, Celtic have won 10 out of the past 12 encounters with the other two games ending in draws. A win today would seal Rodgers’ place in the history books as he would become the first Celtic manager in over 100 years to win five successive games against Rangers – the last being Willie Maley back in 1909.
And with the club sitting pretty at the top of the table three points ahead of Rangers with a game in hand, Celtic and manager Brendan Rodgers will be looking to end 2018 by continuing their dominance over the poor relations across the city.
What does Brendan say?
Speaking to the official Celtic website, Rodgers believes his side’s experience of high-pressure big games will play a major part in today’s game.
He said:
"“In the last few years the team has always shown when we’re in those adverse moments that they can respond. I was so impressed with the mentality of the team against Aberdeen.“We played well in the game, had a couple of decisions that went against us, which can affect the team, but we didn’t get emotional. We stayed focused until the end and got the win at a very difficult place.“That always gives you confidence. This team has shown in the last two-and-a-half years that when it does go against them they push on. That’s a collective mentality rather than just the individual.”"
Despite having a reduced ticket allocation thanks to Dave King’s pursuit of much-needed funds at the start of the season, Rodgers believes that it won’t affect his players that much as they have the mental strength to handle their emotions.
He added:
"“My experience of these games is they’re always very emotive games so you have to ensure that you play the game and be focused on your football,” said the Irishman. “This game will be no different. We have a lot fewer supporters there, but we tend to focus what goes on on the pitch. When you can do that, it brings out the best of our game and when we do that we always feel we can win.“These games will always be difficult games. The one at Celtic Park earlier in the season we won 1-0. The scoreline was tight, but I thought we played very well in the game and created opportunities to score more goals and could have won convincingly.“With both sets of players there’s always pressure. You’re there to win and there’s always that challenge to win every single game whether you play home or away.”"
Celtic go into today’s match with huge confidence on their side off the back of three wins on the bounce, including a hard fought but deserved 4-3 win over Aberdeen on Boxing Day, while Rangers’ confidence has taken a battering having just won once in the past three games drawing the other two – the last being a 1-1 draw at Ibrox thanks to a late Darren McGregor equaliser for Hibernian – and manager Steven Gerrard ripping shreds into his stars over their performances for the second time in as many weeks.
Last time at Ibrox
The last time Celtic visited Ibrox they ran out 3-2 winners despite being reduced to 10-men, effectively winning the last season’s title into the bargain.
Celtic had to come from behind twice to win the game. Josh Windass hit Rangers into the lead after three minutes, before Tom Rogic levelled for Celtic.
Daniel Candeias gave Rangers the lead against before a nice finish from Moussa Dembele silenced the Rangers fans celebrations and hopes of victory.
Celtic were then reduced to ten men after Jozo Simunovic was sent off for an alleged elbow, with linesman Douglas Ross [who coincidentally runs the line again today! Funny that!] empathically shouting ‘Red card! Red card’ with as much glee as he does in his day job as a Tory MP voting in the bedroom tax and cutting disability benefits.
But despite being handed a man advantage, Celtic took the lead and ultimately secured all three points when substitute Odsonne Edouard curled a superb winner to send the Celtic fans into dreamland.
Late on Alfredo Morelos missed a howler from two yards out as he hit the post costing his side a dramatic equaliser and ensuring a fourth straight win at Ibrox for Celtic – the first time that had been achieved since 1909.
Team News
Rangers will give Gareth McAuley – looking to make his Glasgow derby debut – Ryan Kent and Scott Arfield late fitness tests to face Celtic. While defender Connor Goldson looks set to play with a pain killing injection after going off injured against Hibernian at the weekend and Ryan Jack carrying a niggling injury also.
Celtic will be without Tom Rogic – who is away on Asian Cup duty with Australia – and Leigh Griffiths who is out of action due to off-field issues. There will be a late fitness test for talismanic Kieran Tierney who has struggled with a hip injury of late.
After recovering from injury and starring in the 4-3 win over Aberdeen, Odsonne Edouard is expected to lead the line against Rangers.
Prediction
You can never underestimate your opponent, especially in Glasgow derby matches. But the quality of Celtic and the players at their disposal despite missing the likes of Tom Rogic and Leigh Griffiths should see Rodgers’ side over the line.
I don’t think it will be an emphatic victory, but an early goal for Celtic could kill off Rangers’ hopes of taking anything from the game and could end with Celtic romping to victory.
Rangers’ have yet to show they deserve to be title contenders in the big games and as St.Johnstone manager Tommy Wright said in the run up to the game – Rangers need to beat Celtic to be labelled as such.
The game will, as ever, start at a frenetic pace and some tasty tackles will be launched from both sides. Referee John Beaton needs to be strong, let the game flow unless the tackles begin to get out of hand – which they almost always do.
I can’t see anything other than a Celtic victory by one or two goals at most. This game will effectively end any belief of Rangers beating Celtic to the title and will turn the pressure up on manager Steven Gerrard – with Rangers fans staring into the abyss of Celtic marching towards another title and one closer to ten in a row.
Celtic to win 3-1.