Michael Beale’s team will step onto the Parkhead pitch knowing that it is a must win game for them. Otherwise, Celtic would go twelve points clear at the top or maintain their nine point lead. And both are not results that the Rangers can afford at this point of time. Let’s see how they play with their backs against the wall.
Celtic have to be considered as the favourites going into the match, considering how things have played out when the two teams have taken to the Parkhead pitch in recent times.
At the same time though, this could be a very tight game. One has to remember that the Rangers have not lost in the league since the appointment of Beale as manager late last year. So, the Hoops must bring their A-game to Parkhead.
Before the League Cup final earlier this year, there was a lot of talk coming out of the Ibrox camp. This time around, things have been a lot more measured from their side to say the least. Chris Sutton wrote in his column in the Daily Record:
"You look back at all the talk before that League Cup Final and the lucky manager stuff and a whole lot else and he left Hampden with his tail between his legs as his team simply did not turn up until the green and white ribbons were already being tied to the silver.I don’t know if the lucky stuff was just an attempt to win over some of the Rangers supporters, but I think it was a massive mistake and I think Beale would now admit it was a mistake as well."
Celtic hero claims that Beale made a massive mistake
Of course, the ‘lucky’ comments from Beale created a lot of controversy in Scottish football. The thing is, when you make claims like those, you have to win against Celtic. And he was not able to get the job done in the League Cup final.
Not only was it a loss for the Rangers but Celtic were the better team in almost every department on that day and there was no room for questions. The Hoops were deserving winners.
This time around, things could get a bit more interesting though. Celtic are missing a couple of key players in Reo Hatate and Liel Abada while the Rangers have no other choice but to go for the win.