It has to be said that in the last two Glasgow derbies Celtic played before the shutdown, the Hoops weren’t at their best.
It took a heroic display from Fraser Forster to win the Betfred Cup Final in December, as the Hoops edged to a 1-0 win.
The performance in the league meeting between the teams later that same month was also poor, as Rangers won 2-1.
Sadly due to the Covid-19 pandemic, that was the last meeting between the teams. However, Celtic will have a chance to put matters right when the teams meet at Celtic Park next Saturday.
Didn’t play a single minute in either match
One aspect of the previous two games that has perhaps not been commented on is that Tom Rogic didn’t play a single minute in either match. He was on the bench, and was not chosen by Neil Lennon.
That was understandable in the Betfred Cup, as the Hoops were reduced to 10 men in the second-half. However, he could have made an impact when Celtic were chasing an equaliser in the league game between the teams.
Now, Rogic has only just returned to the Hoops side after some injury issues. He played the last 14 minutes of the recent win over St Johnstone.
He is unlikely to start the game against the Ibrox side. However, he is surely the type of player who can have an impact from the substitute’s bench.
Can grab game by the scruff of the neck
If Celtic are in need of a goal, then Rogic is more than capable of grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck and dictating possession from the middle of the park.
He has had plenty of success against Rangers before, don’t bet against him once again putting on a show against Celtic’s biggest rivals.
Celtic might have a very strong squad at the moment. Possibly the strongest it has been in years. However, Rogic has that magic touch few players have. Hopefully we get to see it on display during the derby.
In other news, John Beaton has been appointed referee for Celtic’s game against Rangers.
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