The Rangers XI Celtic can expect to face as Brendan Rodgers has history of shutting down predictable Ibrox foes

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Celtic welcome Rangers to Parkhead this weekend in confident mood.

The Hoops have dispatched their last three opponents by scoring 12 goals and conceding just three and Brendan Rodgers’ side are in fine fettle with their foes heading across the city.

Rodgers’ record vs Rangers is a strong one and there is a 16-point lead open at the top of the Scottish Premiership which could ultimately become 19 with a home win on Sunday.

Celtic simply have Rangers’ number at the moment and after Philippe Clement was sacked, have a much less experienced interim head coach to deal with in the shape of Barry Ferguson.

Comparing Ferguson to Rodgers is pointless as the Irishman knows his squad inside out, back to front and roundabout.

And with Gers set to take on Fenerbahce on Thursday before the derby three days later, Rodgers will likely get a strong feeling for the starting XI Ferguson will put together, too.

• READ MORE: Alex Rae admits trying to copy Celtic blueprint cost Philippe Clement his Rangers job

Brendan Rodgers will have Celtic plans for Rangers no matter their starting XI

Rodgers already knows the Ibrox squad and what it will take to send them home packing. He has players of his own at his disposal who have won so many derby matches they’ve lost count.

So Rangers’ XI won’t worry the league runaway leaders in the slightest. But the manager – while not having to worry – won’t be using the information he has on their squad to shut them down.

No, it will be more about figuring out his own tactical plan for the powderkeg clash to see exactly where Celtic can flourish and give the Light Blues a going over as has happened time and time again.

For example, James Tavernier will likely play at right-back despite sometimes being moved into the centre. Given how torrid a time Daizen Maeda has given the Englishman over the years, it would perhaps make sense to Rodgers to leave Maeda on the left-hand side and throw Adam Idah in there to tussle with the likes of Robin Propper and John Souttar.

That then sees Jota perhaps sitting on the bench but when Gers tire from playing their midweek exploits, the winger could easily come on to push them further.

Rangers predicted XI vs Celtic

• Rangers predicted XI: BUTLAND, TAVERNIER, PROPPER, SOUTTAR, JEFTE, DIOMANDE, RASKIN, CERNY, HAGI, IGAMANE, DESSERS.

Midfield sees Callum McGregor come up against Nico Raskin while £11million man Arne Engels could be staring down £600k Scot Connor Barron.

In the forward areas Rangers have their apparent world-beating hero in Hamza Igamane who is yet to net against Celtic while Cyriel Dessers is always good for a laugh.

And on the flanks, Vaclav Cerny only has a left foot and Ianis Hagi has Alistair Johnston to contend with. Good luck with that.

It may not be a totally predictable Gers XI for Rodgers to ‘figure out’ but no matter where Ferguson chooses to take his squad, Celtic are superior.