Breaking News:Kris Boyd suggests new roles for two Rangers stars at Celtic as one gets rare start

Breaking News:Kris Boyd suggests new roles for two Rangers stars at Celtic as one gets rare start

Battering Ross County is one thing, ending your long wait for an away win over Old Firm rivals Celtic is another challenge altogether for Rangers and Philippe Clement.

 

And while the nature of Saturday’s 6-0 obliteration will give the Gers a timely boost in confidence ahead of an otherwise daunting trip across Glasgow, it also puts the Ibrox boss in something of a dilemma.

Does he stick with the same Cyriel Dessers-inspired team that hit Ross County for six, and take the ‘if it ain’t broke’ approach? Or does he tailor his game to the opposition, and make Rangers a little less free-flowing and a little more pragmatic?

 

Those are the questions that will be bouncing around Clement’s side in the build up to Sunday’s clash.

Big decisions for Philippe Clement before Celtic vs Rangers

“Rangers, off the back of a 6-0 victory, it’s very difficult to change that,” Kris Boyd, the legendary former striker, tells the Scottish Sun. “(But) I get that you’re going away from home, to Celtic Park, a ground that has not been kind to you over the last few years.

 

“I thought Rangers were excellent on Saturday, the way they went about their business. There was some positive performances in there; Cyriel Dessers got two goals, Rabbi Matondo got two goals, Tom Lawrence…

 

“I also thought, having watched the game back, Jefte at left-back put in a good performance as well, albeit it’s going to be an entirely different challenge for him going to Celtic Park.”

Jefte is highly likely to keep his place in the starting XI, with fellow left-back Ridvan Yilmaz injured.

 

Clement said, after last weekend’s thrashing, that he was keen to see how the young Brazilian copes on the biggest test of his Rangers career thus far, while also seemingly to suggest that the excellent Connor Barron will also command a place on his team sheet.

 

Boyd wonders if the versatile Jefte could play in a different role against Celtic than he did against Ross County, however.

 

A key feature in Rangers’ summer recruitment drive has been the targeting of versatile footballers who can play in a variety of different positions. For instance Jefte, a full-back by trade, has proven himself capable in a more advanced role on the wing.

Boyd feels that putting Jefte on that flank ahead of the most adaptable member of Clement’s squad – the man for all seasons and all positions Dujon Sterling – could be central to Rangers’ hopes of stopping Celtic’s fearsome widemen at source.

 

Kris Boyd proposes Jefte and Dujon Sterling partnership

“Will we see Sterling going to left-back with Jefte one up? Maybe a little more cautious?” Boyd asks, also throwing into doubt the availability of Leon Balogun, Robin Propper and the exit-linked Rabbi Matondo.

 

“We don’t know what’s going to happen with Rabbi Matondo between now and Friday. Balogun went off injured (against Ross County). Propper, what’s happening there?

 

“Sterling might have to fill in at centre-back.”

Former Chelsea man Sterling has only started two of Rangers’ five games this season. However, the tough-tackling 24-year-old has often saved his best performances for big occasions against big opposition.

 

He impressed in a left-back role against Celtic in April’s thrilling 3-3 draw. And, with Nicolas Kuhn in fizzing form, Clement could be forgiven for wondering if similar success could be enjoyed this time around.

 

The Rangers boss has, meanwhile, played down the speculation surrounding Matondo’s potential switch to Blackburn Rovers after his scintillating performance last time out.