Rangers predicted XI vs Celtic: Verdict made on captain's inclusion as Tottenham loanee assumes responsibility
How we think Danny Rohl will set up his Rangers starting XI against Celtic for Sunday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final tie.
In round two of the Old Firm double header, the Rangers boss will have some selection headaches to ponder after last weekend’s capitulation.
The hosts looked to be cruising in the first half last weekend at Ibrox as a Youssef Chermiti brace put them 2-0 up in the first half. However, as Rangers were unable to get the all-important third goal and be out of sight, Celtic came out all guns blazing in the second half and levelled up the match through Kieran Tierney and Reo Hatate. The second half capitulation has reignited the age-old question of Rangers’ mentality going into the Premiership run-in.
Sunday’s Scottish Cup fixture will be a break from title race proceedings but still remains a battle which either side can ill-afford to lose. With Hearts sitting top of the league with breathing space, there is no guarantees this season that either side of the Old Firm will win a trophy.
Danny Rohl on Scottish Cup must-win
The Rangers boss is already stressing the importance of Rangers winning a trophy this season. When asked if he thinks silverware is a must this season, he responded: "As a Rangers manager you have to (win trophies). As a club you have to. With these ambitions, we have to.”
Celtic will have 7,500 fans this time around at Ibrox due to the traditional away allocation regulations of the Scottish Cup. However Rohl believes if Rangers replicate their first half performance last Sunday for a full 90, that they can silence the travelling fans. He continued: "Of course it will have an impact (more fans). But if we play 50 minutes like we did (last week) then the 7,500 will stay quiet.
“We can influence and impact on our performance on the pitch. The atmosphere was incredible for 50 minutes was really incredible. It was amazing to feel this. They pushed our players forward, then it goes to 2-1 and you feel it in the stadium as well. But this is also part of the game. That 50 minutes was really, really outstanding. I really enjoyed being on the touchline in such a game."
How Rangers could line-up against Celtic
Rohl opted to start Ryan Naderi alongside Chermiti last weekend, however the German striker struggled to make his mark on the game. Andreas Skov Olsen was another making his Old Firm debut on Sunday and while the stats will read that he got the assist for Chermiti’s spectacular overhead kick, he was another that had a quiet afternoon.
Getting up to speed in an Old Firm Derby is no easy feat and perhaps now the pair have experienced the chaotic, frantic atmosphere of the fixture they’ll be better prepared for this Sunday, but Rohl will have a decision to make on whether to stick or twist with the new boys.
Elsewhere, James Tavernier didn’t feature at all in last weekend’s stalemate as he made way for Dujon Sterling. The utility man done his bit in a match and was a key physical presence at the back for Gers, however the second half collapse was crying out for a leader on the pitch, therefore Rohl may be tempted to call upon his captain this time around.
Mohamed Diomande was another notable omission from the starting lineup, especially considering he was one of the best players on the pitch when Rangers defeated their rivals at Celtic Park 3-1 in January. As an experienced Old Firm customer, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him come back into the fold.
Mikey Moore is a nailed on starter if fit, as the Spurs loanee caused Celtic all sorts of problems in the first half. Tuur Rommens is another in-form star who is making the left back position his own, while big game player Chermiti has four in two against Celtic and is expected to lead the line again on Sunday.
Predicted Rangers XI
GK: Jack Butland
RB: Dujon Sterling
CB: John Souttar
CB: Emmanuel Fernandez
LB: Tuur Rommens
CM: Nico Raskin
CM: Tochi Chukwuani
CM: Mohamed Diomande
RW: Andreas Skov Olsen
LW: Mikey Moore
ST: Youssef Chermiti