It feels like the build up to this weekend’s Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic has been brewing for a while.
As Rangers reclaimed the Scottish Premiership advantage with a rampant return from the winter break, the Ibrox clash stood out boldly in the SPFL calendar.
With some twists and turns in between, not least the Dens Park pitch allowing Celtic to reclaim top spot, finally we’re about to arrive at the match.
If Rangers win they go within five points of their rivals, albeit subject to victory in the rearranged Dundee match, and Celtic now have a lead to protect.
With the season entering its final furlong, it could not be any more tense.
Any former Rangers or Celtic player will tell you that an Old Firm match is won by the team who wins their respective duels and all over the park there are set to be some big battles this weekend.
Here, we select the five Old Firm duels which could define this table-topping clash at Ibrox as Rangers and Celtic go head-to-head for the third time this season.
It will also be the final time that there will be only Rangers fans in the stadium after an agreement was reached over allocations ahead of next season.
Rangers v Celtic Old Firm duels
James Tavernier v Daizen Maeda
Rangers captain James Tavernier might’ve this weekend become British football’s record scoring defender, but his record in the Old Firm derby is mixed to say the least.
Whilst free-kick heroics at Celtic Park in recent clashes have gone without reward, the match up with Parkhead Duracell bunny Daizen Maeda has made for enthralling viewing.
The Japanese attacker is a persistent, athletic, and committed wide forward and James Tavernier always knows he’s been in a game with the World Cup star.
Once again – especially given how crucial James Tavernier is at both ends of the park for Rangers – the duel will be an all-important one at Ibrox.
The legacy of Hall of Fame Rangers captain Tav will rest on how much silverware he hauls into Ibrox, and by proxy, matches like this Sunday.
John Souttar v Kyogo Furuhashi
Whilst there might’ve been a temptation to pit Connor Goldson up against Kyogo Furuhashi, John Souttar’s recent form has caught the eye at Rangers.
Having started the last seven league matches for Rangers – and 12 of the last 15 – doubts surrounding the player’s fitness were extinguished by glowing comments from Philippe Clement a few weeks ago.
The Scotland Euro 2024 shoo-in showed his class in the weekend’s 3-1 win over Hibs and it’s a big game for the defender when Celtic visit this Sunday.
Kyogo Furuhashi scored seven goals against Rangers in 2023 – a record number – and the Japanese forward comes alive in the Old Firm fixture.
If Rangers are to go on and win the game, it’ll have been in no small part down to keeping the striker quiet with John Souttar and Connor Goldson both tasked with doing so.
Mohamed Diomande v Reo Hatate
Whilst John Lundstram and Callum McGregor are vitally important midfield leaders for Rangers and Celtic respectively, our stand-out midfield duel concerns two different players.
With the Celtic captain missing the weekend’s win over Livingston, McGregor remains a major doubt for the clash and as such the Parkhead side may have to call on the likes of Reo Hatate.
The Japanese midfielder is another who has big history in the Old Firm fixture and after returning to the Parkhead side following a lengthy injury, has been hyped beyond belief heading into this game.
Tasked with taking the stand out lead in midfield for Rangers will be Old Firm debutant Mohamed Diomande, who has purred into the middle of the park at Ibrox.
There’s certainly plenty of hype too around the young Ivorian who could become an instant legend at Ibrox if his quality makes headlines against Celtic’s midfield.
Fabio Silva v Alistair Johnston
Whilst some might be tipping Abdallah Sima to start Rangers’ Old Firm clash with Celtic, something tells us Fabio Silva might well be the one who gets the nod.
The Senegalese forward returned to action against Hibs – fluffing a fine chance in injury time – in a what is a major boost to the Gers ahead of this weekend’s game.
But we suspect a starting berth is a little too ambitious with Fabio Silva certainly doing enough to merit a chance off the left against Celtic.
Coming up against Celtic full-back Alistair Johnston – a nippy footballer capable of the dark arts who doesn’t have many fans at Ibrox – it could be one of tensest battles on the park.
Another Old Firm debutant, Fabio Silva will need to show a real maturity up against the Canadian who, for the right and the wrong reasons, usually makes headlines in this fixture.
Cyriel Dessers v Cameron Carter Vickers
Cyriel Dessers still has a sizeable chunk of the Rangers support to win over, but he’s certainly going about doing so the right way.
Netting in the 3-1 victory over Hibs, in was an impressive performance by the big man who has solid link up play and is a creative and often unpredictable presence up top.
The biggest issues with the striker surround finishing chances.
If Cyriel can come up big for the Rangers team here against Celtic then it’ll go a long way to convincing the Ibrox support that he’s got what it takes to handle the number 9 jersey.
Up against him will be Cameron Carter Vickers, another of Celtic’s most crucial players, at the heart of the Parkhead side’s defence.
The defender usually steps up on Old Firm day and whilst the physical tussle between the two will be captivating, the battle will be won by whoever lets their quality shine through.
