TRYING to predict the result of an Old Firm derby is a mug's game. With that in mind, we've asked our writers to try and call the outcome of Sunday's match at Parkhead.
Matthew Lindsay
The first two Old Firm games of the season saw the home team perform better and win by 1-0 margins that didn’t accurately reflect their dominance. I expect the latest encounter between the two Glasgow rivals to go along similar lines.
Only having a small pocket of supporters in the home of their rivals is massively detrimental to a team’s chances of success. I can’t see Rangers beating Celtic with just 800 followers in a crowd of 58,000.
On top of that, I think Neil Lennon’s side are, on their day, still superior to Steven Gerrard’s team. They will have a huge point to prove after suffering a painful defeat at Ibrox in December.
That game gave Rangers fans hope, false hope as it turned out, that they could challenge their age-old adversaries for the Scottish title in the 2018/19 campaign.
But it was a dire Celtic display. Moving Callum McGregor to left back in the absence of Kieran Tierney backfired on then manager Brendan Rodgers. McGregor performed well, but his side wasn’t the same without him in the middle of the park.
Lennon won’t repeat his predecessor’s mistake. I anticipate a comfortable Celtic triumph.
READ MORE: Listen: Which manager needs an Old Firm win the most?
Neil Cameron
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
I would be stunned if Celtic played as badly as they did at Ibrox in December. Equally, I would find it unlikely that Rangers can reach the same high level they did that day.
So, if this comes to pass, I can’t see past a home win but this isn’t to say Rangers don’t have a chance. With Alfredo Morelos in the form he’s in, he could get that long-awaited Old Firm goal. But it won’t be enough.
My guess is Scott Brown will prove a point, Kieran Tierney being back is a huge boost and Callum McGregor won’t be left-back.
Neither side have played well in recent times but Celtic have been marginally better and do have a stronger team.
READ MORE: Watch: Our writers discuss this weekend's Old Firm match
Alison McConnell
Celtic 2-0 Rangers
A game that neither manager can ill afford to lose, but there is possibly riding on this one for Neil Lennon.
The caretaker manager is right when he says that what he does in the role has to be framed by just where Celtic are at the end of the season but at the same time he can do with a win and a particular kind of win on Sunday.
Rangers were fully deserving of their victory back in December at Ibrox but the limp manner of that defeat ought to still rankle among the Parkhead players. That game finished with the teams tied on points; Celtic head into this one with a ten-point lead. Having established that cushion in the league, this game is about showing the reason why it exists.
Celtic Park will expect on Sunday and it will be down to Lennon’s side to put on a show.
And while Celtic were unrecognisable in that mid-winter game, the personnel is considerably different for Sunday. Celtic have Odsonne Edouard, Timothy Weah and Oliver Burke available and while it is a long shot expecting Tom Rogic to head into the team after being out for the last three months, the bottom line is that the Australian is a player who can make something from nothing if he were to come off the bench.
In short, there are options now that didn’t exist a few months back.
READ MORE: Celtic manager Neil Lennon is about to make his sixth debut against Rangers - sort of
Graeme McGarry
Celtic 2-0 Rangers
THE win that Rangers achieved at Ibrox back in December to end Celtic’s 12-game unbeaten Old Firm streak was only achieved through a ferocious work-rate, a high-pressing game that didn’t allow their opponents to settle, and solid defensive organisation.
If they are to have any chance of taking another three point when they visit Celtic Park, they will likely have to better their showing that day, which was undoubtedly their performance of the season.
If Steven Gerrard’s men are to have any chance of keeping their slim hopes of a title challenge alive, they simply have to win the game, but Celtic have plenty of incentive too.
Not only will they be seeking revenge for that defeat just prior to the new year, but interim manager Neil Lennon is also aware that his chances of landing the Celtic job permanently for a second time will rest heavily on the outcome of this game.
The players seem to want that to happen, and they will also be fired up by the chance to put the league to bed in front of their own supporters. Because of that, I fancy them to win, but it may well be tight.
READ MORE: Kieran Tierney is a Celtic doubt ahead of Rangers game
Chris Jack
Celtic 1-1 Rangers
STEVEN Gerrard has lost one and won one on derby day so far this season and he could well complete the set on Sunday. Rangers were far from their best at Parkhead earlier in the campaign as the European exertions in Ufa took their toll and they were never able to take the game to Celtic.
At Ibrox, it was a far different story and if Rangers can replicate that performance there is no reason why they can’t avoid defeat once again. It is a level Rangers haven’t been able to match since and Gerrard has to get a far improved showing out of his players after a costly couple of weeks.
Much has been made about Alfredo Morelos’ record in the Old Firm and it would be timely if the striker could end his barren run against Celtic and hit the 30-goal barrier in what could prove to be his penultimate derby outing.
A draw doesn’t do Rangers any favours when it comes to their faint hopes of launching a title bid this term but it wouldn’t be a bad result for Gerrard. Neil Lennon would probably take a point right now as well.
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