Celtic face Rangers on Sunday in the Cinch Premiership as the Scottish Champions travel to Ibrox. Brendan Rodgers’ side have already won the two meetings between the sides this season – 1-0 at Ibrox in September and 2-1 at Celtic Park in December.
The game has added significance given the amount of games remaining and how tight it is at the top – Celtic are one point clear but Philippe Clement’s team have a game in hand after the controversial call-off at Dens Park.
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Rodgers has a full complement of players to choose from for the first time in this fixture. Callum McGregor has battled his way back from a calf strain to get himself into contention for the game whilst Luis Palma has also recovered from a calf injury to return to training.
Joe Hart was brilliant in the win back in September, keeping a clean sheet and making a number of crucial saves. The Englishman will be hoping to make his mark when called upon in his final visit to Ibrox.
At the back, Celtic will be able to start Cameron Carter-Vickers for the first time in this fixture since the Scottish Cup Semi Final win of last season. The USA Internationalist missed the first meeting through knee surgery before missing the win at Celtic Park in December with a hamstring injury. CCV will be joined by Liam Scales in the central pairing with Greg Taylor and Alistair Johnston in the fullback berths.
Reo Hatate started in the win against Livi alongside Matt O’Riley with Tomoki Iwata in the holding role. The manager will need to decide whether to continue with this trio or whether to bring the returning Celtic skipper into the side. Rodgers’ comments certainly seemed to suggest that he was reluctant to take a chance on the Scotland Internationalist.
Kyogo has seven goals in six starts against Rangers and the talisman will likely start, despite Adam Idah having impressed since joining from Norwich. The Irishman will need to be ready to come off the bench and play an impact. Expect Daizen Maeda to start on the left with the task of frustrating and challenging James Tavernier. On the right flank, Nicolas Kühn is expected to start.
Predicted XI: Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; Iwata, O’Riley, Hatate; Kühn, Kyogo, Maeda.
Referee Details
The SFA have appointed John Beaton for the match. Beaton, who was the subject of criticism for his decisions from VAR in the defeat at Hearts, will be assisted by Daniel McFarlane and Dougie Potter with Willie Collum acting as Fourth Official.
Meanwhile, at Clydesdale House, Nick Walsh, who refereed the 2-1 win back in December, is on VAR with Frank Connor assisting.
Kick Off Time
The game kicks off at 12 Noon (Celtic Park Time).
Where to Watch
The game will be shown exclusively in the UK on Sky Sports with coverage starting on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event at 11am.
Celtic TV will show the game on the club’s streaming channel for subscribers outside Britain and Ireland. All subscribers will be apply to watch a replay later on Sunday.
