Rangers v Celtic – Sunday 25 March – Ibrox (14:00)
Rangers v Celtic
Glasgow will be divided into blue and green this Sunday as the Old Firm Derby between Rangers and Celtic takes place at Ibrox. Previously, at this stage of the season this derby would have a direct bearing on the SPL championship but Rangers’ recent financial problems, coupled with some poor performances from unpaid players have left The Gers 21 points off their fiercest rivals, ten points of which were docked for going into administration.
This derby represents more than just a football match. Historically this match pits religion, politics and opposing social attitudes against each other. These sides have dominated the Scottish League and between them have won 96 League Championships, 67 Cups and 41 League Cups.
Rangers’ financial problems have clearly affected the performance of the club in recent months. The Gers have lost three of their four matches since insolvency experts were appointed to take control of the club. Their most recent defeat came last Saturday when a team hit by injury, suspension and the departure of two players, lost 2-1 away to Dundee United. Manager Ally McCoist now faces the task of lifting his squad for the visit of Celtic. It’s naturally inevitable that the off-field events, which have included negotiations that resulted in players’ wages being cut up to 75%, would lead to defeats. It’s been a bad season for the reigning Scottish champions who would have still trailed Celtic by eleven points without the ten point penalty they’ve received. Rangers have lost their top scorer in Bosnian-born Croation striker Nikica Jelavic (14 goals in 24 matches) to Everton. Fan favourite Sone Aluko, who surprisingly started on the bench, came on early in the second-half against Dundee United to score and and bring Rangers back into match. The promising 23-year-old Nigerian has made thirteen appearances for Rangers and scored five goals. McCoist is forced to show faith in youngsters like Aluko as he has a list of key players either out injured or suspended for one more match.
The league title is almost guaranteed to move to the other part of Glasgow with Celtic running away with it after losing by just one point to Rangers last season. Celtic, themselves, were defeated 1-0 in the Scottish League Cup Final against Kilmarnock last weekend. The Hoops were ineffective in front of goal during spells of the game they controlled, and were prevented from finding the excellent form which has seen them unbeaten domestically since October. Celtic have played the better football, their players have excelled more than any other SPL squad and they have a very good manager in former Northern Ireland and Leicester City Gaffer Neil Lennon. Good strike partnerships can help you win titles and Lennon has found one in Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes. The pair have scored 26 goals between them this season.
For some reason home advantage doesn’t count for much in the SPL and that only gives Celtic more of a claim here. Their away form has been better than Ranger’s home form, winning eleven, drawing two and losing two compared to Rangers winning only nine of their fifteen matches, drawing four and losing two. Celtic won the last Old Firm Derby 1-0 and look set to beat their rivals again here.
