The first Glasgow Deby of the season is to be played this coming Sunday. Celtic are on a fantastic run of form winning five games out of five, and will be the most confident of the two sides heading into the match.
The hoops are also scoring goals for fun while playing fast flowing attacking football. Ange Postecoglou and his team travel to the Netherlands on Thursday with a two-goal advantage as they attempt to qualify for Europa League group stage football.
Rivals, the Rangers, are struggling at the moment, having only won two games out of their last five. After getting beat 4-2 by Malmo over two legs, losing to Dundee United in between and looking defensively shakey will make the trip to Armenia on Thursday to add to their one-goal lead against Alashkert before flying home overnight on Thursday.
This match will not define either club’s season, but getting a derby win early on will certainly add confidence to the winning team.
Charlie Nicholas has given his prediction ahead of Sundays Glasgow Derby, as well as his pre-match thoughts. He questions Celtic’s Carl Starfelt, labelling him ‘vulnerable’ and predicts that Postecoglou will make very few changes ahead of the tie. He also praised Celtic’s latest recruits – Abada and Kyogo, also mentioning the form Christie is in. As for the opposition, he questions if Kent will ‘turn up’.
As quoted by the Daily Record he also predicted a ‘four or five goal thriller’;
“The recent run of fixtures have been kind, but he has got the results and in a style that’s exciting for fans to watch.
“These three elements are what his team is all about.
“He is a risk taker. His players have to take responsibility, but it is not set in stone.
“Postecoglou wants to play on the front foot and that is what is making it so exciting for Celtic fans just now.
“They are dominating the ball against the likes of St Mirren, but will they be given that time and space against Rangers?
“His defence has done well but it hasn’t been tested that much in recent games.
“Anthony Ralston and Stephen Welsh have done well, while recent signing Carl Starfelt looks the most vulnerable.
“Postecoglou hasn’t got a lot of headaches, as it stands, and I don’t think he will change anything against Rangers.
“Gers boss Steven Gerrard has to address more questions than Celtic just now. Rangers’ success last season was built on their solid foundation, but at the moment they don’t look convincing defensively.
And will Ryan Kent turn up for the derby?
“Meanwhile Kyogo Furuhashi has brought something special to the Celtic attack, while Ryan Christie and Liel Abada are in good form.
“That’s why I can see Sunday’s clash at Ibrox being a classic.
“I can easily see it ending up a four or five-goal thriller.
“And if I was pushed to make a prediction I’d go with a 2-2 draw.”
