Celtic fans will be gearing up for their side to face Rangers this Sunday in a match with huge ramifications in the Scottish Premiership title race.
Brendan Rodgers has a near-fully fit squad to choose from ahead of the clash, and news that Luis Palma and Callum McGregor are set to return to contention providing a major boost to all concerned.
It is still unclear if Maik Mawrocki or Odin Thiago Holm will play any part in the matchday squad; nevertheless, we will find out more about our injury absences in the Irishman’s press conference later this week.
There won’t be too many selection dilemmas for Rodgers to wade through on Sunday; however, Nicolas Kuhn, Hyunjun Yang, and James Forrest have all made a case to start off the right flank.
McGregor’s impending comeback is likely to signal a straight swap between the Scotland international and Tomoki Iwata, which may be a little harsh on the latter amid his recent form.
Either way, the key point as we head to Govan is that there is a semblance of squad depth that we haven’t been able to enjoy for a lot of this term due to injury issues.
Now, the Bhoys just need to devise a plan to overcome their rivals on their own patch in what is set to be a battle for the ages between two direct competitors for the Scottish Premiership crown.
Jackie McNamara says Brendan Rodgers may use surprise tactic
Tactical flexibility is key to winning these matches, and Celtic will need to have a plan B of some description if things aren’t going their way at Ibrox.
Former Hoops man Jackie McNamara reckons Rodgers could have one up his sleeve: playing direct balls to force entry behind the Rangers’ backline, allowing Kyogo Furuhashi, among others, to dart into plenty of space.
Speaking to Sky Sports, McNamara stated: “I think there is spaces there, taking the centre-backs out of position in between the centre-backs and the full-backs, I think that’s an area that Celtic can hurt them.
“Over the top, Kyogo is coming into the space. The last thing you want is the centre-backs away from the left-back area. That’s something I think Brendan will try to implement at the weekend.
“Balls over the top; I know it’s a bit different. (But) They seem to struggle when they’re running back towards their own goal.”
Playing more directly isn’t an alien concept for Celtic in the Glasgow Derby, as seen by Furuhashi’s ferociously struck volley past Jack Butland last September to grant us a 1-0 victory at Ibrox with a depleted side.
Of course, the Bhoys also have the options of Adam Idah and Hyeongyu Oh should we require a target to hit, and even the notion of a strike partnership could come into play later on in proceedings.
Regardless of how Rodgers sets up his side tactically, he has several different avenues available that may help him secure all three points.
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