Celtic legend Kenny Dalglish is tipping his former club to have the upper hand in Wednesday night’s crucial encounter against theRangers, stating home advantage could make all the difference in what he predicts will be a tight battle. Writing in his Sunday Post column, which seems to have been constructed before yesterday’s unexpected events at Parkhead and up in Dingwall.

“Most people say that the form book goes out of the window for a derby game and I think, on the whole, that can be true. Right now, though, there isn’t much between the teams in terms of results and performances I would have Celtic down as slight favourites to win this match,” Dalglish stated. 

“I watched them against Hearts last midweek and they were impressive. They knocked the ball about well and played at a very high tempo. It’s never wise to choose a winner, but I think home advantage gives Celtic the edge as we head into the game.”

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Discussing his thoughts on this current Celtic teams style of play and the influence manager Ange Postecoglou has had on it both in terms of what is being done on the training ground and in the transfer market King Kenny added:

“There is a real organisation about the Celtic team and a recognisable pattern of play. It’s clear to see they work on things during the week in training. Credit to Ange for his coaching and managerial skills. He took over Celtic when they were in the depths of despair but he turned it around very quickly.

“He has also been brilliant at recruitment. Another one of his signings, Reo Hatate, scored an outstanding goal, the kind of strike that gets spectators up off their seats. Maybe Craig Gordon would feel disappointed to have conceded from almost 30 yards out, but it was a very powerful strike.

“To go to Tynecastle and win without Callum McGregor, Kyogo Furuhashi, Tom Rogic and Daizen Maeda speaks volumes for the talent in the squad. New signing Matt O’Riley looks a proper player and I was also impressed with Giorgos Giakoumakis.”

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Going into more detail regarding Celtic’s Greek striker, Dalglish predicted that from what he has saw in the past few games since the player returned from injury, that last season’s Eredivisie top scorer may have the potential to be Celtic’s matchwinner on Wednesday.

“Giakoumakis has had his time at Celtic constantly interrupted by injury but he is really looking the part. He had a great finish against Alloa in the Scottish Cup last weekend and followed it up with another brilliant execution on Wednesday.

“He has sort of burst on to the scene in the past week or so, and he could very well end up making a right name for himself in the Old Firm (sic) game. If he is handed the centre-forward role by Ange, then the Greek striker looks to have it in his locker to be a potential matchwinner.”

Lets hope you are correct King Kenny. Much like yesterday when Liel Abada seized his chance to become a Celtic hero, Wednesday will provide the perfect opportunity for someone else to create a moment of history that will be revered by the Celtic fans for a long time to come.

Conall McGinty

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