Rangers v Celtic: Scottish Premiership – live updates | Scottish Premiership
Key events
I wonder who he wants to win?
Celtic hope new boy Nat Phillips can get up to speed promptly, given their recent concerns in defense, with many fans unconvinced by the partnership between Gustaf Lagerbielke and Liam Scales in central defence. They will be tested today. Cameron Carter-Vickers (injured) is a huge miss for Rodgers’ men.
ryanjack performed media duties for Rangers on Friday before this one, so it was still likely he would return to the starting line-up, adding ballast in midfield. Many fans were surprised to see him on the bench as the PSV Eindhoven game turned into a bombardment.
Surprised, Ryan Jack didn’t start tonight. Rangers rarely lose when he plays and in the three worst results of last season he didn’t start against Celtic (0-4) or Ajax (0-4) and went 1-2 against Liverpool (1-7). They lack control without him. I still haven’t brought a good 6.
-Jordan Campbell (@JordanC1107) August 30, 2023
Team News
A slightly more attacking Gers formation than we expected Michael Beale to name, with Kemar Roofe And Rabbi Matondo both named in the top three and Todd Cantwell returned to midfield.
Rather more predictable Celtic, with the dangerous Kyogo Furuhashi at the head of the line. Big game is required from the skipper Callum McGregor in midfield, a change like Liel Adaba replaces Yang Hyun-Jun on the left.
Rangers (4-3-3): Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Sterling; Jack, Raskin, Cantwell; Matondo, Roofe, Desserts.
Replacements: McCrorie, Ridavn, Lundstram, Lawrence, Lammers, Cifuentes, Sima, Davies, Danilo.
Celtic (4-3-3): Hart; Johnston, Lagerbielke, Scales, Taylor; McGregor, O’Riley, Turnbull; Abada, Maeda, Kyogo.
Subs: Bain, Palma, Yang, Holm, Kobayashi, Oh, Kwon, Bernabei, Ralston.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to our coverage of today’s Old Firm derby – the first of the new season and one which sees the two Glasgow giants enter the game a little injured and unsure of themselves. Mick Beale’s men were rocked by PSV’s midweek defeat in Champions League qualifying, while Celtic drew 0-0 with St Johnstone last week and appear to lack fluidity under management of new boss Brendan Rodgers. This year’s fight for bragging rights in Scottish football looks intriguing, with the outcome of today’s clash at Ibrox likely to set the tone for months to come. We’ll hear from the team in a few minutes; then we wait for the midday kick-off.
In the meantime, here’s Ewan Murray’s preview of the big game at Ibrox.
Even in a footballing environment as feverish as that of Glasgow, the change in bragging rights in the days leading up to a clash with Old Firm seemed novel. Rangers fans were purring in expectation after St Johnstone held Celtic to a goalless draw last Saturday.
Brendan Rodgers’ return had already been punctuated by a weak League Cup outing at Kilmarnock. The blue half of town were licking their lips at the thought of Rodgers bringing his team to Ibrox.
The change in attitude came after the midweek events in Eindhoven. The way PSV humiliated Rangers 5-1 left Michael Beale eager to defend his ‘new team’. It is a system that has shown past failures. Suddenly, the dynamic of Sunday’s derby changed again. The two managers find themselves under close surveillance. If Celtic won, Beale’s patience from the stands would evaporate.
Keep reading here…
theguardian
