Celtic travel to Ibrox this weekend knowing nothing but a victory will do in their quest to win the Scottish Premiership title.
The Bhoys travel to the southside after three consecutive victories and will be boosted by the return of key players, such as Reo Hatate and Liam Scales, to the starting line-up ahead of their showdown against Rangers.
Cameron Carter-Vickers is also up to full speed following some recent injury troubles; meanwhile, Callum McGregor will be expected to captain Brendan Rodgers’ side in Govan should all go to plan.
Major ramifications could present themselves for Celtic regarding every outcome, with a win being enough to extend our lead at the summit to four points, albeit Rangers have a game in hand the following week.
Should the Hoops draw, they would still be in touching distance factoring in the reverse fixture at Parkhead, though a loss would be an unthinkable result.
Nevertheless, we have a core group of players who have been over the course many times before, and that has to count for something when the action commences at 12 noon on Sunday.
Former icon Alan Thompson discusses Celtic’s trip to Ibrox
Alan Thompson saw his fair share of highs mixed in with a few lows during his extremely successful spell at Celtic and knows all about having the steel required to make an impact at Ibrox on derby day.
Speaking to PLZ Soccer, the former England international believes the strong core of players who have served the Bhoys well in previous encounters at Ibrox will need to set an example to the younger stars on show this Sunday.
He stated: “It’s essential that you have people in the dressing room who can speak to the younger players, the more inexperienced players, and just give them an insight into what it is going to be about.
Thompson then name-checked some stars who could be pivotal to enacting this, saying, “They’ve walked the walk. That is people like McGregor, Joe Hart, Carter-Vickers, O’Riley, and Kyogo. These players have done it, and hopefully, they will rub off on the younger members of the squad.”
Experienced players will always carry the can in these types of fixtures, with their know-how and guile being potentially vital to navigating what is set to be a hostile atmosphere made up of entirely home supporters.
Despite this, we have been here before and prevailed, which should give Rodgers enough clarity that his side have what it takes to see off their title challengers on their own patch.