Beating Celtic has proved beyond Philippe Clement even with a full arsenal to choose from.
But today the Belgian goes into an Ibrox Old Firm clash missing several Rangers big hitters and real fear that if the champions are at it, then it could be one for the ages against the depleted hosts and one the boss may not survive. Jack Butland has been hospitalised with an internal bleed on his leg, so Liam Kelly will be required between the sticks.
And he may even captain his boyhood club against their biggest rivals with James Tavernier also having to sit out the big one. John Souttar is a longer term absentee Leon Balogun limped out of the defeat to St Mirren and didn’t make it for the draw at Motherwell. Clement has rated his chances of facing Celtic as “very, very small” but it’s one the manager might have to cling to given the lack of options elsewhere.
Tavernier’s absence would normally see Dujon Sterling deployed at right back. But he will likely be needed in the centre, which poses the pertinent question of who will deal with Daizen Maeda? The Japanese star has tormented Tavernier in a number of derby clashes and while Sterling certainly has the physical attributes to help counter Celtic’s Duracell bunny, it will likely be someone else tasked with stopping him.
Leon King and Adam Devine may have to be thrown in at the deep end, and that’s without the experienced presence of Butland behind them to try and talk them through things. Jefte and Yilmaz were deployed on the left to good effect against Tottenham and Clement could be tempted by something similar. Record Sport looks at how Rangers will attempt to not so much pick a team to win but try and fight fires.
Predicted Rangers XI
Provisional Rangers squad
Goalkeepers
- Liam Kelly
- Lewis Budinauckas
- Mason Munn
Defenders
- Dujon Sterling
- Adam Devine
- Leon King
- Robin Propper
- Jefte
- Ridvan Yilmaz
- Clinton Nsiala
Midfielders
- Connor Barron
- Mohamed Diomande
- Nico Raskin
- Nedim Bajrami
- Kieran Dowell
- Ianis Hagi
- Vaclav Cerny
- Ross McCausland
Forwards
- Cyriel Dessers
- Hamza Igamane
- Danilo