Ahead of Saturday’s crucial Glasgow derby, the Daily Record has reported that Rangers could be without five of their big-hitters for the Parkhead trip.
Saturday represents the most important game of the season for both clubs. If Celtic win, they’ll go top of the table outright and with a game in hand. However, if Steven Gerrard’s side pick up the points, it would snatch away the title advantage we currently have.
But despite recent Covid troubles that have struck the Celtic side, it appears that Rangers have plenty of concerns of their own heading into the game.
According to the Daily Record, there are doubts over some of their big talents such as Alan McGregor, Kemar Roofe, Joe Aribo, and Filip Helander, and Alfredo Morelos.
In addition to that, centre-back Nikola Katic, who scored the winner the last time the two sides met at Parkhead, is out with a long-term problem.
Lennon will be preparing for everyone to be fit
We know how these things work of course. How often in the past has one of our rival players been doubtful for the derby only to be thrown in and clearly not struggling for fitness or match sharpness?
Neil Lennon will, and correctly so, be preparing for every one of these players to be fit. Especially McGregor and Morelos – two fresh names to the potentially injured scene this week.
Unfortunately for the Hoops, however, there doesn’t appear to be any more doubts regarding Borna Barisic. Despite the Rangers left-back missing two games for Croatia, their manager has stated that he’s now fine and will feature against France this evening (Daily Record).
That should mean that Rangers focus much of their play down the left side, where Jeremie Frimpong will be tasked with showing what he can offer defensively a lot more than in recent weeks.
Regardless, we’ll see which of these players makes the squad come the time they’re released on matchday. But you’ll do well to find a Celtic fan who won’t predict that many of them will be thrown in.
In other news, one Celtic star has a big chance to win his place in the team back this weekend.
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