In one of the strangest run-ups to an Old Firm derby in recent years, Rangers have already played their biggest game of the week before they switch focus back on to our Glasgow rivals.
The run-up to this Old Firm has been exceptionally short – Rangers’ preparations this week concerned Slavia Prague and a place in the Europa League quarterfinals.
Unfortunately, Rangers couldn’t quite find the performance which would’ve got them through in the end and Slavia were deserving winners. On the pitch at least.
In the space of time between that match ending – a 2-0 defeat to the Czechs – and this one kicking off, normally newspaper space would be chock full of pundits, journalists and ex-players winding the tie up to battle fever pitch.
But this week the build-up has been overshadowed by the racist abuse dished out by Czech defender Ondřej Kúdela to Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara.
The discussion has been on something much more serious for a change and it feels like this match has almost crept up amid the fall-out from Thursday night.
But alas – here we are – and whilst Connor Goldson might’ve been upset yesterday morning discussing the issue of racism in football he was clear the club is focused on this match.
Exiting the Europa League at the Last 16 stage – a noble campaign by anyone’s reckoning – changes the dynamic of Rangers’ season certainly but there is still plenty to play for this campaign.
Immortality might already be guaranteed but this team’s legend status will take off into the stratosphere if they manage to go the league season unbeaten the year we won our first title in 10 years.
Rangers’ potential invincibles are on the final stretch and are approaching one of the final hurdles bandaged and bloodied but still willing themselves over the line.
Injuries aplenty and war wounds which are more than skin deep, the feeling around this match is an unpredictable one and early confidence is perhaps a little more unsure.
Rangers do have injuries – the most noticeable of which are at right-back with talismanic captain James Tavernier nursing a knee injury and Nathan Patterson also a doubt.
Ryan Jack too – his tenacity, ability and commitment to the cause a big miss on Old Firm day – is another who is unlikely to make this match.
That leaves it to many of the same players who went through a personal kind of hell on Thursday evening and an emotional 48 hours to say the least.
At this stage it is unclear if the likes of Glen Kamara need time to reset or if they’re eager to show defiance on the world stage, but whatever the case the focus must quickly shift to Parkhead.
This is not only a chance to clear one of those final hurdles with the finish line of an unbeaten season within sight, but it’s a chance to show Celtic exactly why we’re once again the Champions of Scotland.
Even if – in the tone of many of our away performances this season – we have to do it the hard way.
Here’s our Rangers predicted XI for the match, with us backing Kamara to come through the storm and turn out for the team.
