Predicted Celtic XI vs Rangers: O'Neill to restore strongest available side to contend with unusual atmosphere
Here’s how we think Martin O’Neill will set up his Celtic starting XI against Rangers on Sunday afternoon
Celtic head to Ibrox on Sunday knowing victory over Rangers would send them into the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals and provide an early statement in Martin O’Neill’s latest spell in charge.
The first Old Firm meeting of the season comes with both sides chasing domestic success, but the Hoops head across the city with plenty of confidence after maintaining their perfect league record with a narrow victory over St Johnstone in midweek. Mika Baur’s second-half strike secured the points, despite a much-changed side struggling to find its usual fluency.
O’Neill will now be expected to restore his strongest available starting XI for a fixture where there is little room for error. The champions have several attacking options capable of changing the game, while recent defensive additions have given the manager greater depth at the back.
The biggest question could be how O’Neill balances experience with fitness. Kasper Hogh has returned from injury and is pushing for involvement, while Camilo Duran offers another attacking option if Celtic decide not to risk the Danish striker from the start.
Celtic will also have to cope with the unusual atmosphere at Ibrox. Away supporters have been banned from Old Firm fixtures for the remainder of the season following disorder at March’s Scottish Cup meeting, meaning there will be no travelling support inside the stadium.
This is about more than reaching the next round for Celtic. A win at Ibrox would deliver bragging rights, strengthen O’Neill’s early position and send a powerful message to their city rivals.
What has Celtic boss, Martin O’Neill said?
“I'm looking forward to it the usual way, you know. Nervously looking forward to it, excitedly looking forward to it, but yeah, it's a great fixture. I think that it'll be strange in many aspects not to have any away fans in our area.
“I always felt as if it would give you a crumb of comfort in some description. We had the police come in today, just a little 15-minute meeting just to remind us of our behaviour, which I think is a timely reminder.
“I think the games themselves almost take care of themselves in that sense. There's a great atmosphere. I think I mentioned, was it the league game that we played? 2-0 down early on in proceedings and Ibrox was probably as loud as it's ever been and a really great atmosphere.
“Reciprocated by us in the post-split game as well too, I thought that was really great. But I just think, yeah, it'll be a bit strange not having the fans in.”
How we think Celtic will line up vs Rangers
Sam Johnstone; Colby Donovan, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Kieran Tierney; Callum McGregor, Mika Baur, Benjamin Nygren; Haissem Hassan, Camilo Duran; Kasper Hogh.
SUBS: Viljami Sinisalo (GK), Liam Scales, Sebastian Tounekti, Oliver Sorensen, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Shim Mheuka, Joel Van Den Berg, James Forrest, Jordan Lotomba.