Celtic vs Rangers Old Firm team news: Nancy makes three notable changes as Rohl opts for two key alterations
Wilfried Nancy and Danny Rohl have named their respective starting line-ups for today’s Old Firm derby at Parkhead
Arch rivals Celtic and Rangers clash in another high-stakes Old Firm derby in the Scottish Premiership this afternoon in what is the third meeting of the season between the two Glasgow giants (KO: 12.30pm BST).
Hoops boss Wilfried Nancy will be desperate to secure a positive result on home soil to quell some of the intense growing speculation over his future after a dismal start to his Parkhead tenure, while opposite number Danny Rohl aiming to make up for the disappointment of their extra-time League Cup semi-final exit at Hampden.
A win for the visitors would see them move level with the champions on points, but a Celtic victory would plunge their fiercest foes title credentials into grave doubt.
Celtic team news: 3 changes, Kenny given nod up front
Nancy makes THREE changes to his starting line-up from the side that went down 2-1 to Motherwell at Fir Park on Tuesday night, with Arne Engels, Luke McCowan and Johnny Kenny coming in for Liam Scales, Paulo Bernardo and Reo Hatate.
They remain without the services of Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha, both of whom remain involved at the Africa Cup of Nations. Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota, Kelechi Iheanacho, Callum Osmand and Marcelo Saracchi remain sidelined through injury.
New signing Julian Araujo could make his debut as a substitute after joining on loan from AFC Bournemouth on Friday morning.
Rangers team news: 2 changes, skipper benched
Rohl makes TWO changes to his starting XI from the one that ran out 2-1 winners over St Mirren at Ibrox last time out, with captain James Tavernier and Mohamed Diomande dropping to the bench. Dujon Sterling and Connor Barron are drafted in.
Nedim Bajrami, Oliver Antman, Derek Cornelius and Rabbi Matondo have all been absent of late, despite the latter being an unused substitute at the weekend. Nasser Djiga is away at AFCON.
Frontman Bojan Miovski is back in the matchday squad after recovering from a recent bout of illness, but is only fit enough for a place on the bench.
What has been said in both camps pre-match?
Celtic - Julian Araujo
“I think that’s one of the main things that Ryan (Christie) told me about. It’s a do-or-die game. This is what people in Glasgow live for, and I’m excited because in Mexican culture, these are the type of games we’re born to play in. These are the games I’ve been waiting for my whole life.”
Rangers - James Tavernier
“It will be hostile but you have to enjoy it and embrace it. When the game comes, you have to stay calm. There will be moments when they have the ball or chances, but you have to be cool, calm and collected and embrace it and give it your all.”
Here's your confirmed starting XI’s ahead of today’s showpiece encounter in Glasgow’s east end...
Celtic XI:
Kasper Schmeichel; Anthony Ralston, Auston Trusty, Kieran Tierney, Yang Hyun-jun, Callum McGregor (C), Arne Engels, Luke McCowan, Benjamin Nygren, Daizen Maeda, Johnny Kenny.
SUBS: Viljami Sinisalo (GK), Liam Scales, Shin Yamada, Julian Araujo, Paulo Bernardo, Reo Hatate, Dane Murray, James Forrest Colby Donovan.
Rangers XI:
Jack Butland; Dujon Sterling, Emmanuel Fernandez, John Souttar (C) Jayden Meghoma, Connor Barron, Nicolas Raskin, Thelo Aasgaard, Mikey Moore, Djeidi Gassama, Youssef Chermiti.