SNS GroupBrendan Rodgers and Barry Ferguson have named their starting line-ups for Sunday’s Old Firm clash at Celtic Park.
Celtic and Rangers meet for the third time in the Premiership this season, with the hosts closing in on the Premiership title and Rangers looking to restore some pride from a disappointing domestic showing that has them trailing their rivals by 16 points.
Ferguson’s side have been boosted by Thursday’s penalty shoot-out triumph over Fenerbahce that put them in the Europa League quarter-finals, but only after an energy-sapping 120 minutes of football.
Celtic have had all week to prepare but Brendan Rodgers has had injury concern, with captain Callum McGregor sitting out training as he manages a calf issue.
McGregor isn’t fit to play and Auston Trusty is missing but Rodgers has been able to name an attacking side that he hopes will take them a step closer to clinching the league title again.
Kasper Schmeichel starts in goal behind a back four of Jeffrey Schlupp, Maik Nawrocki, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston.
Luke McCowan takes McGregor’s place in a midfield three, along with Reo Hatate and Arne Engels.
In attack, Jota returns to the derby, with in-form Daizen Maeda the central striker and Nicholas Kuhn on the left.
Rangers start with Jack Butland in goal, then Leon Balogun, John Souttar and James Tavernier in a three-man defence. Ridvan Yilmaz and Dujon Sterling are in the wing-back roles.
Connor Barron and Nicolas Raskin anchor the midfield, with Vaclav Cerny and Mohamed Diomande playing behind striker Cyriel Dessers.
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