Rangers fans have reacted to the confirmed starting XI for Saturday afternoon’s Old Firm clash against Celtic at Parkhead.
The Gers travel to the East End of Glasgow sitting top of the Premiership table by a point but second-placed Hoops have a game in hand and have only slipped-up once so far this season.
Steven Gerrard’s side have enjoyed a strong start to the season. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Ahead of the game, Steven Gerrard all but ruled out Joe Aribo and Kemar Roofe [Rangers FC Twitter], who have only just returned to full training following injuries, but while the latter misses out, the former makes the bench.
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Nikola Katic and Bongani Zungu were also unavailable due to injury and quarantine regulations respectively.
However, Steven Gerrard has still named a strong XI for the first Old Firm of 2020.
Allan McGregor starts in goal and as expected, James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Filip Helander and Borna Barisic make up the back four.
In midfield, Steven Davis and Glen Kamara start following their international exploits with Northern Ireland and Finland and they are joined by the in-form Scott Arfield.
Alfredo Morelos leads the line as he searches for his first derby goal and he will be supported by both Ryan Kent and Brandon Barker, who makes a surprise start in the advanced right position.
Ryan Kent is in the Rangers starting XI and will be searching for his third goal against Celtic. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Joining Aribo on the bench are Jon McLaughlin, Calvin Bassey, Leon Balogun, Ryan Jack, Ianis Hagi, Jordan Jones, Cedric Itten and Jermain Defoe.
Will this side be strong enough to secure all three points at Celtic Park?
Here’s a selection of reactions from Rangers supporters:
no jack ? ππ
— mason π¬π§ (@18Mason72) October 17, 2020
hagi not starting pic.twitter.com/aWV8yedAKl
β β’ (@xmufcalisha) October 17, 2020
Barker… π€ would’ve went with Hagi personally but Gerrard is the Gaffer, not me. Maximum effort Gers pic.twitter.com/mG0b3IWfwI
β ππ‘π πππ§π ππ«π¬ ππππ« (@BigRangersBear) October 17, 2020
Delighted with the starting 11 π
β The Donfather (@DonfatherThe) October 17, 2020
Look at that benchπ
β Rosssss (@rosssmithh95) October 17, 2020
Barker is a strange one. Would have went with Hagi or Aribo if he is fit to play. But gotta hope Barker proves everyone of us wrong and has a belter of a game!!
β Renegade (@Renegade_uk100) October 17, 2020
Brandon Barker masterclass incoming.
β Alan Murdoch (@alanmurdoch70) October 17, 2020
Thatβs a winning team bears
β John Rodgers (@smodgers81) October 17, 2020
Iβm Confident Brandon Barker will shine today. Cmon the Rangers.
β WellTravelledGlaswegian (@TravelledWell) October 17, 2020
Ahead of the game, check out our Old Firm Preview over on the Rangers News YouTube channel.