Chris Sutton highlights four Rangers dangermen with £2.5m ace ‘a nightmare’ for Celtic

Rangers have been on the wrong end of what Celtic legend Chris Sutton calls a ‘cricket score’ far too often in recent Old Firm clashes.

 

There has been 5-1s, 5-0s, a few 4-0s too for good measure.

But while the mood is low at Rangers despite last week’s 6-0 thumping of Ross County, Sutton insists that a Celtic side reeling from the loss of star man Matt O’Riley cannot – and will not – take the three points for granted at Parkhead.

 

Philippe Clement’s Old Firm tale is one of frustration rather than humiliation.

 

Since replacing Mick Beale in the Rangers dugout almost a year ago, Clement has presided over three defeats and a draw from four matches. But those in blue have seldom been closer to matching their green-clad rivals, only a rare Jack Butland howler gifting Celtic Scottish Cup glory back in May.

And while Brendan Rodgers’ team is still the better one on paper – O’Riley or no O’Riley – Sutton insists that a dangerous front three and one of the most complete midfielders in the country could give even Celtic’s most experienced operators a tough afternoon.

Rangers vs Celtic as Philippe Clement targets Old Firm lift-off

“The pressure is on in Glasgow. It’s majorly on Rangers at Celtic Park on Sunday as Philippe Clement attempts to finally win an Old Firm game,” Sutton tells the Daily Record.

 

But it’s also on Brendan Rodgers and Celtic. The first encounter of the season is always psychologically huge – and you get the feeling this one even more so than usual.

“Celtic will need to be wary of the likes of Vaclav Cerny, who has a lovely eye for a pass, and Cyriel Dessers has made a solid start to the season and is winning over some detractors.

 

“The pair of them have shown promising signs in their link up play, and there is Rabbi Matondo on the other side. He’s a nightmare to play against, as I don’t even think he knows what he’s going to do next.”

Dessers and Matonto scored twice apiece in that Ross County thrashing, the former in ‘unbelievable’ nick with five goals in six games and the latter heading into Sunday’s derby after arguably the best display of his Rangers career.

 

Cerny, meanwhile, can pull a rabbit out the hat at any given moment – as Motherwell found out recently – and Connor Barron’s energy and aggression should ensure that Celtic’s rhythm-setter Callum McGregor will hit the odd bum note.