Celtic v Rangers – Old Firm derby team news, analysis & preview

Can Celtic stretch their Scottish Premiership result in eight capabilities or will Rangers stop 2019 inside touching distance of their fierce opponents?

The perimeters meet at Celtic Park on Sunday in the third Pale Firm derby of the season, with Neil Lennon’s facet triumphant in the earlier two.

Earlier this month, Rangers bossed noteworthy of the Scottish League Cup final, had a penalty saved and a person earnings for almost half an hour, however aloof misplaced 1-0 to their metropolis foes.

A first Celtic Park victory since 2010 for Steven Gerrard’s males would pass them relief inside two capabilities of their hosts with a sport in hand.

But can also aloof Celtic, who admire gained 11 league suits in a row, claim a Third successive derby rep, they’ll set up a commanding lead on the Premiership summit.

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Team recordsdata

Celtic’s Jonny Hayes, who scored in a 2-0 victory at Ibrox in September, is straight away accessible having recovered from a shoulder damage.

Lennon has no unique damage worries after the 2-1 Boxing Day victory at St Mirren, with Mohamed Elyounoussi (foot), Hatem Abd Elhamed (abductor) and Jozo Simunovic (knee) aloof out alongside Daniel Arzani (knee).

Rangers midfielder Steven Davis made his return from a foot damage against Kilmarnock as a slack replace whereas Jordan Jones became relief on the bench after recuperating from the knee damage he sustained making a red-card form out against Celtic quickly after Hayes’ aim.

Completely defender Filip Helander (foot) stays out for Gerrard’s crew.

What they said

Celtic manager Neil Lennon:“Of us talk concerning the cup final, we are in a position to talk concerning the performance at Ibrox the set we had been fully dominant and gained the sport very without problems.

“We survey ahead to it, we are in a position to be as salvage as we are in a position to and snatch it from there.

“We are confident however quietly confident. We’re not shouting from the rooftops factual but. There might maybe be a lengthy strategy to chase.”

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard:“We admire a sport in hand, so I’m not primarily too angry about gaps. I am taking into account my crew successful soccer suits.

“We’ll Parkhead in dazzling bag and dazzling shape. We know this might maybe presumably even be a truly refined match, they admire a truly salvage dwelling narrative.

“But we performed Celtic about a weeks previously and put an very just appropriate command on, gave an very just appropriate fable of ourselves. I interrogate us to chase there with self belief and belief we are in a position to bag a result.”

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‘The stress is on Rangers’ – prognosis

Stale Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner:“I accept as true with Rangers will strategy it in the same method because the League Cup final – I don’t they accept as true with they admire some other choice.

“Odsonne Edouard is match for this sport and can aloof be relief in the crew, giving Celtic a particular dimension. I accept as true with they’ll alternate how they shape up in midfield and predict Rangers some questions.

“The two strikers, Morelos and Edouard, are vastly indispensable for diverse reasons. Morelos for his objectives and method that Edouard hyperlinks the sport up and brings other gamers into the sport.”

Stale Rangers striker Billy Dodds:“The stress is on Rangers. Being in that dressing room and going to Celtic Park and that you just would be in a position to like as a minimum a level – don’t lose the sport.

“Let’s chase there, chase into the second half of the season and bag sure that we’re aloof inviting – that is the set Rangers are at.

“Or not it’s such a wanted sport for Rangers to preserve inside that valid touching distance.”