Celtic team news vs Rangers confirmed as fans react to Callum McGregor decision and forgotten man comes in from cold for shock start

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic are ready to go to war this afternoon with Rangers the opponent on derby day.

The Hoops are in fine form under Brendan Rodgers with a significant lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership already opened up.

It’s a 16-point lead for Celtic which could become 19 at full-time if the result goes the home side’s way in front of a packed out Celtic Park crowd including a handful of Gers fans following an agreement to end the away fan lockout.

Celtic had been worried about injury issues before kick-off with the likes of Callum McGregor a doubt for the derby having trained individually as he nursed a calf problem.

And Rodgers has made his selections for the crunch clash in the east end of Glasgow with some changes made and big calls being decided on by the gaffer.

• Celtic starting XI: SCHMEICHEL, JOHNSTON, CCV, NAWROCKI, SCHLUPP, MCCOWAN, ENGELS, HATATE, JOTA, KUHN, MAEDA.

Celtic team news vs Rangers

There is a spot for Maik Nawrocki in the starting lineup for Celts as Auston Trusty is missing while Luke McCowan, Jeffrey Schlupp and Jota all play from the get-go as the league leaders look to establish an early lead.

McGregor, meanwhile, is missing.

Daizen Maeda is Celtic player of the year candidate and the big call was always set to be whether or not he would start through the middle or on the left-hand side.

Rodgers has gone with the Japanese up front with Adam Idah on the bench.

The starting side for a match like this one will always be debated and discussed given the importance of the fixture.

Celtic fans react to starting XI in Rangers derby

And fans have indeed taken to social media to have their say on Rodgers’ personnel decisions.

Nawrocki starting has certainly raised eyebrows with one fan writing: “Nawrocki make yourself a hero,” as another commented: “Rocki starting,” with a confused emoji.

One added: “Rocky time,” as another said: “Nawrocki??? Good thing he’s been getting minutes to keep him up to speed”…

McGregor being out also drew comments with one saying: “No McGregor at all either?”

There were some fans who could hardly believe the side with multiple comments in the same vein of “release the real team now”.

Confidence is key.