I’m a bag of Rangers nerves for Celtic clash but it’s NOT fear as I sense something in the city – Barry Ferguson
Rangers should be buzzing about their Europa League draw and the prospect of a trip to the Theatre of Dreams. And they should ignore the doubters and doom mongers who claim they’re in for a nightmare on Kerrydale Street tomorrow too.
Friday’s draw in Monaco has thrown up some hugely exciting ties to come over the next five months. But before that, there’s a small matter of a trip to Celtic Park. I’ve been a bag of nerves all week in the lead up – but believe me, a lot of that is down to excitement. Everyman and their dog is tipping Celtic to win and to win big at Parkhead. But I can’t help but sense a bit of overconfidence around the city.
The teams played five games last year but there was never more than a goal in any of the results and with Celtic losing Matt O’Riley to Brighton this week, they’ve lost their most potent weapon. Of course, it was looking last night like they were about to replace him with new £11million Arne Engels but I think we’d all be surprised to see Brendan Rodgers throw him straight in.
So it will be as you are with the players who have been at Parkhead all summer. I’m not expecting any surprises from them. In fact I reckon I could name their starting line-up right now.
It will be Kasper Schmeichel in goal, with Alastair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Greg Taylor at the back. In midfield you can bet it will be Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Paulo Bernardo. The only slight doubt in my mind is over whether it’s James Forrest or Nicolas Kuhn who starts up top alongside Daizen Maeda and Kyogo.
So Rangers really should have no excuses for not knowing what’s coming at them tomorrow lunchtime. And that’s why he finally has to address the source of all Rangers’ problems against their bitter rivals in recent seasons – McGregor.
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