Celtic interim manager John Kennedy is apparently giving no thought to throwing any midfield selection curveballs this Sunday, with captain Scott Brown set to start.
Brown, as we know, is leaving the club this summer so this match on Sunday will certainly be his last big derby in Celtic colours.
Kennedy has a number of options to choose from including Ismaila Soro, who is a candidate to play in place of Brown next season.
However, the temporary manager has confirmed he’ll go with one of his most trusted allies at the club for one last shot at a derby victory.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference today, Kennedy said [YouTube]: “Scott’s had a fantastic career here, a very successful one. He’s been the dominant figure in Scottish football for a number of years now – the levels he’s reached, the success he’s brought this club and how he’s dominated the game over the years.
“It’d be nice for him to go out on a high. It’s been a challenging season, probably one that he envisioned would be different for him. But it is what it is, we have to deal with that and make the most of what’s left.
“People always talk about replacing Scott Brown – I’m not sure that’ll be possible. The club will have to deal with life without him and evolve without him.
“Certainly going into the game, it’d be good for the team to collectively pull together to send Scott on his way on a high.
“It’s his last derby game, which he’s had great success in and been a real iconic figure in these games. It’d be nice for him to have one more before he bows out.”
Some will question the wisdom of not giving others, who will be here next year, a chance in the Celtic team against Rangers.
In many ways it’s a sentimental choice to hand Brown one more derby, almost by default.
However, he remains a competitor in these matches and will be more motivated than anyone to secure a big result on Sunday.
It’d be a surprise if he wasn’t one of our better performers on the day.
Everyone is keeping their fingers crossed he can experience one last 90 minutes of derby magic.
In other news, Karamoko Dembele has a chance of playing in his first derby this Sunday.
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