Old Firm derby: Win or bust for Rangers against Premiership leaders Celtic this Sunday?
Sunday 11 March 2018 10:59, UK
Is Sunday's Old Firm derby a must-win for Rangers in their pursuit of Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic? Charles Paterson previews the crucial encounter, which is live on Sky Sports Football.
An audible cheer rang out from the home dressing room at Ibrox on Sunday evening, a few seconds after Rangers were drawn out of the pot to face Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-finals. When manager Graeme Murty, sitting in the Sky Sports studio at the time, was informed of this reaction, a rueful grin spread across his face.
While he might have privately hoped to avoid such a draw, Murty has acknowledged that his players' enthusiastic response signifies a change in attitude and belief amongst the Rangers squad.
Live SPFL
That semi-final takes place at Hampden Park next month; before then, Rangers and Celtic meet this Sunday at Ibrox in the third Old Firm league fixture of the season - live on Sky Sports Football. The stakes are high - a win for the home side will reduce the gap between the sides to three points, but victory for Brendan Rodgers' champions, who have a game in hand, would effectively seal a seventh successive league title.
For the first time since Rodgers arrived in Glasgow, Rangers are matching Celtic for form heading into a derby. Since the sides drew at Celtic Park shortly before New Year, Murty's men have won nine of 10 games, while Celtic have won eight of 11 (including a Europa defeat to Zenit St Petersburg). In that time, Rangers have scored 33 goals, and conceded nine; Celtic have scored 20, and conceded eight. Statistics barely separate them; what may decide Sunday's clash is confidence, momentum and big-game experience.
Rangers' players appear to be brimming with self-belief, playing with a positive intent that's reaping rewards in the results that follow. January's recruitment drive has bolstered Murty's options, while providing a shot in the arm for those players already in situ. Jamie Murphy, Russell Martin, Jason Cummings and Sean Goss have all made an impact since arriving in the transfer window, while the form of James Tavernier, David Bates and Josh Windass has picked up significantly. Windass, in particular, is in the best goal-scoring form of his career - 10 goals in eight matches, including two hat-tricks, mark him as a vital player for Rangers on Sunday.
By contrast Celtic have, at times, given off a perception of a team doing just enough to keep their domestic rivals at arm's length. Having set an extraordinary standard last season in terms of performance and results, there have only been flickers of that this time around. Injuries have blighted the squad across the team. Many of last year's outstanding performers, including Scott Sinclair and Moussa Dembele, have not shone as brightly as they did a year ago, although Dembele appears to be returning to form. January's two big signings, Charly Musonda and Marvin Compper, have struggled for game-time. And yet - Celtic remain on course for a second successive treble.
The debate this week is whether Celtic have stagnated, or if Rangers have improved, to the extent that the gap between the two sides has closed, and whether that will impact on Sunday's result. For the first time for what seems an age prior to an Old Firm league game, Celtic appear to be looking over their shoulders.
One factor where Celtic hold a critical advantage is big-game experience - winning when it matters. A look at Rodgers' record against Aberdeen in the last 18 months is testament to that. Derek McInnes' side have until recently been the closest challengers to Celtic, but in nine meetings over the last two seasons, Rodgers has triumphed every time, including in two cup finals.
The championship-winning mentality built into the psyche of Rodgers' players is a powerful tool to utilise in a game like this. Rangers are yet to prove they have this weapon at their disposal.
Murty has established a feel-good factor around Ibrox, and showed a tactical flexibility that gives him a chance of securing the job beyond the summer. Two draws at Celtic Park, and successive victories against Aberdeen, have proved his team can perform on the big stage. But now, with a glimmer of an opening, and an unlikely title race beckoning, can Rangers take the next step and seriously hurt Celtic?
Rodgers has already struck the first psychological blow, describing Rangers' home advantage on Sunday as "a huge pressure for them". Mind games aside, Rangers' results at Ibrox have been mixed all season - only last month Hibs took the points there for the second time this season. Celtic have won at Ibrox three times in fifteen months, by a combined score of 9-2. Playing there will hold no fears for the champions.
If they are to mount a late title challenge, Rangers must win on Sunday. Brendan Rodgers will need to address his team's issues in the summer, but Celtic proved recently at Pittodrie they remain formidable. Rangers are much improved under Graeme Murty, but they haven't passed a test like this yet in their own back yard. Sunday is shaping up to be a pivotal examination for both.
