Heading into Old Firm week there is one dilemma facing Steven Gerrard that everyone is talking about.
But whilst Gerrard’s decision over Alfredo Morelos or Jermain Defoe will grab the headlines, there’s another brain teaser for the Gers boss heading into Sunday’s game.
For the last two Old Firms, Steven Gerrard has opted for a centre back pairing of Connor Goldson and Joe Worrall. In terms of the derby, Nikola Katic has only played once. In the 1-0 defeat at Parkhead.
In fact, Gerrard has stuck with Worrall for most of the big games this campaign. Generally speaking, he has been his first choice to partner Connor Goldson.
Nikola Katic featured heavily during the Europa League qualification run and played against Spartak Moscow, but it was Worrall who was preferred in the other games.
Joe Worrall finds himself out of the team
Worrall too has played, and generally shone, against our Old Firm rivals. These have perhaps been the games in which Joe Worrall has most risen to the occasion.
But the on-loan Nottingham Forest centre back hasn’t been seen since the 3-0 win over Hearts at the beginning of April.
Since then, Nikola Katic has been on superb form and looks like he’s enjoying his time at the heart of the Rangers defence.
Katic spoke recently about how hard he had to work to get into the side [originally Daily Record]. He won’t want to give his space up.
Whether to keep Katic in the side or revert to type with Worrall in a big game is a big decision for Gerrard. If that was to happen, the big Croatian would be gutted. So would many fans.
But much like the Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe dilemma, it’s a good one to have. You never know – whatever decision Gerrard takes with this particular conundrum might have an even bigger bearing on the result.
