Celtic face theRangers this afternoon in the second Glasgow Derby of the season. The Scottish Champions won the game back in September 4-0 and will be hoping to record a positive result at Ibrox. Ange Postecoglou’s team go into the game nine points clear and theRangers need to win to keep their hopes of keeping up with Celtic.
Team News
Tony Ralston and Sead Hakšabanović are injured. Josip Juranovic will be involved having been on the bench for the game at Easter Road. His fullback colleague Greg Taylor will also be okay to start after being subbed off against Hibs. Stephen Welsh, James McCarthy and new signing Tomoki Iwata are also unavailable. David Turnbull is suspended after his red card against St Johnstone.
Celtic go into the game with two new signings at their disposal – Alistair Johnston and Yuki Kobayashi are available for selection but will not start. The Canadian Internationalist will be likeliest to be involved given Ralston is injured with a back strain.
Joe Hart will start in goals. He will likely have a defensive back line comprising Juranovic, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt and Taylor.
In midfield, Ange has to decide whether to play Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley or Aaron Mooy in the two No.8 roles ahead of Callum McGregor. Given Mooy’s impressive form, it seems that the Australian will start and Matt O’Riley will be the one to drop to the bench.
In attack, Kyogo will start through the middle. Daizen Maeda will certainly start on the left but the question is who starts on the right. Jota, Liel Abada and James Forrest will all be vying for the role but only one player can start. Given Jota is a big game player, we’d expect him to get the nod.
Predicted Team
Predicted XI: Hart; Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; McGregor, Mooy, Hatate; Jota, Kyogo, Maeda.
Match Officials
The referee at Ibrox this afternoon is John Beaton and his assistants are Daniel McFarlane and Dougie Potter. The Fourth Official is Dom Robertson and the ludge-VAR operator is Willie Collum who is assisted by David McGeachie.
Kick Off Time
The game kicks off at 12:30pm (Celtic Park Time).
Where to Watch
The game will be shown on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event with coverage beginning at 11:30am. The game will be shown around the world as the Cinch Premiership captures the attention of much of the globe.
The game will feature minutes silence for the Ibrox Disaster. The Celtic team will also use this silence to honour the passing of Brazilian football legend Pele, former Celtic hero Frank McGarvey and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI – with the team wearing black armbands. It is of course the anniversary of the Ibrox Disaster and that the victims will also be remembered this afternoon.
May they rest in peace.
COYBIG
🟢 Glasgow Derby Day! ⚪️
🆚 Rangers
🏆 #cinchPrem
⌚ 12:30pm
🏟️ Ibrox
💻 Live on @CelticTV (exc. UK & IRE)
📺 Live on @ScotlandSky#RANCEL | #COYBIG 🍀 pic.twitter.com/sOzivErRBU
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 2, 2023
