We’re getting much closer now to Saturday’s lunchtime kick off in the Glasgow Derby, as Celtic will welcome the Rangers to Parkhead in a vital Premiership game. The media coverage continues to explore the match from all angles. And a combined XI has raised eyebrows, as three key Hoops stars have been left out.
It is expected that there would be plenty of debate and discussion when it comes to selecting a combined side of the two Glasgow rivals. It’s tough enough to get fans to agree on a starting line up, for just their own team, never mind having to consider some of the opposition’s players too.
As reported by Sky Sports, WhoScored.com have selected their best XI using players from both clubs. Their ratings are based on upon a unique and comprehensive statistical algorithm, and excluding those who are suspended or injured.
The Celtic and Rangers combined team that they have come up using this system is as follows: Joe Hart, James Tavernier, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt, Borna Barisic, Matt O’Riley, Callum McGregor, Jota, Malik Tillman, Ryan Kent and Fashion Sakala.
Trio surprisingly left out of Celtic and Rangers combined XI
The potential question marks for any Celtic fan will obviously be about the Hoops players who have been left out. Having Tavernier and Barisic holding down the full-back positions seems questionable, but perhaps with those positions being filled by a mix of players in Ange Postecoglou’s side, the data may be more consistent for the Rangers pair over the whole season. It does feel like Greg Taylor has done more than enough to be considered though.
Tillman and O’Riley being ranked ahead of player of the year contender Reo Hatate is quite a shock. But with him being injured, it makes sense. Daizen Maeda’s contribution of goals, assists and work rate should have put him ahead of Kent though.
But the biggest shock of all comes in seeing Sakala up front and leading the line ahead of the Premiership’s leading scorer, Kyogo Furuhashi, with 20 goals in the league to his name so far. The Rangers player isn’t even certain of a start ahead of Alfredo Morelos and Antonio Colak. So how he edges the Japanese superstar is quite unbelievable.
Of course, this all goes to show the shortcomings of data. While numbers and statistics might be more important in football than ever before, it clearly should not be the be-all and end-all when judging a player.