SCOTT MCDONALD told the Huddle Podcast he expects the Glasgow Derby to be hotly contested even with nothing tangible at stake.
Celtic head to Ibrox for the third time this season looking to get their first win against the newly crowned champions this season.
Their last league win against them came in 2019 when goals from Odsonne Edouard and Jonny Hayes won the day.
It’s been too long and for McDonald, he believes the incentive to stop their unbeaten league season should be enough to see the Hoops go full tilt.
“People will say there’s not much to play for but there IS.
“Rangers are still unbeaten this season and there’s no way Celtic players, staff or fans want Rangers to finish this season unbeaten.
“So it’s a BIG game for Celtic.
“I think the best performances Celtic have had have been when they have gone back to their normal 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 if you like.
“Hopefully James Forrest can be fit because he is so vital to that system – and they’ve really missed him in that system this season.
“Neil Lennon did well at the back end of last season with a 3-5-2 – but they began the season like that and it just did not work.
“It wasn’t flowing like it was the previous season, and then they lost the first game and the pressure is on.
“I think the best two performances against Rangers have been in a 4-3-3
“If it was me, that’s what I would be suggesting for the weekend.
“I watched the first Celtic v Rangers match of the season and Celtic played a back three and it was so frustrating to watch.
“There was no width in the game for Celtic.
“Celtic’s strength is out in those areas but they gave Rangers that area to explore.
“We know that’s their strength with Barisic and Tavernier, so you need to fight the fight similar.
“And I think Celtic with the players they have in attacking areas can hurt Rangers.
“You’ve got Christie and Turnbull but if Forrest is fit I would play James Forrest in this game.
“It’s when you go wide against Rangers that’s where the difficulties come for them, I believe.”
tALKING ABOUT THE CUP GAME CELTIC LOST, mCdoNALD SAID: “The intensity. It was a little bit insipid, wasn’t it, the performance?
“There were decent spells within the game especially in the second half.
“There were chances to really put Rangers under pressure.
“We’ve talked a lot about their defence but it’s been stuttering up front as well.
“Elyounoussi has probably been the pick of the bunch, you’d have to say, even though he’s not been in the starting XI throughout the whole campaign.
“Under Neil Lennon he was in and out a lot.
“But I think there are a lot of people who would like to see him stay next season.”
The Hoops are set to enter into a major rebuild, they have not managed to give fans something to really shout about this season. A win to end the season would go a long way at this point.
However, this season has been so much of a letdown, supporters don’t seem to be expecting much.
We’ve played into our rival’s hands time and time again.
If James Forrest could make his mark on Sunday, we do have a chance.
