Former Celtic striker and BT Sport pundit Chris Sutton has insisted that the performance of both Cameron Carter Vickers and Carl Starfelt could determine whether Sunday’s result swings in favour of Ange Postecoglou’s side.
The Hoops duo at the back have formed a formidable partnership within the back four, improving the Celtic defence vastly in comparison to the early stages of the campaign.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s Glasgow Derby at Ibrox, it is expected that both CCV and Starfelt will continue in that backline, given their reliance in the side all season long.
Writing in his weekly column for the Daily Record, Sutton would go as far to say that those two players could have the biggest part to play from a Celtic perspective as the Hoops look to put a dent in their rival’s title challenge.
“For all the attacking weapons which the Aussie has in his armoury heading across Glasgow, it’s the two centre-backs who might swing the game Celtic’s way.
“Carter-Vickers and Starfelt have really grown as a partnership through the season, and that is understandable given these relationships need time to bed.
“Both players need to know what the other one is going to do. Who is going to attack the ball? Who drops off? Who follows a striker out? Who covers when?
“When it becomes telepathic, you are on the right road, and the duo are getting it right most weeks.
“But I have to confess, I still have doubts about Celtic defensively over cross balls, and I’m not sure they are completely solid at set-pieces.
“And, as was shown in the last game between the teams at Ibrox way back at the beginning of the season, those situations can be pivotal.
He continued, “Carter-Vickers and Starfelt are going to have to dominate those situations when they, inevitably, arise at various stages.”
In the last derby fixture between the two sides in February, it was a comfortable evening for the Celtic duo, who mopped up the few attacks which the opposition were able to create in the emphatic victory.
This Sunday’s game is expected to be a tougher test, with the Ibrox side playing in front of their home crowd.
Sutton is right in the fact that both players will need to be on top of their game, alongside their nine other starting teammates, with a good start needed in the game.
Hopefully, that is exactly what we see tomorrow afternoon, with CCV and Starfelt continuing their impressive form and shutting down any possible attacks from the home side.
