Rangers are relatively spoilt for choice these days when it comes to their team selection.
Does Philippe Clement start Tom Lawrence as the number ten or Todd Cantwell? Does he hand Nicolas Raskin a start in midfield or leave the Belgian on the bench? Should he bring in Abdallah Sima for a first start in a number of months when Old Firm rivals Celtic arrive at Ibrox, or continue with Fabio Silva on the left?
While Celtic are praying that talismanic skipper Callum McGregor can make his return in time for one of the most decisive Old Firm derbies in years, Rangers have most of their key players available again.
Clement may be missing arguably only two players from his strongest XI; Lens loanee Oscar Cortes and left-back Ridvan Yilmaz, although the vastly-experienced Borna Barisic can step in for the latter and Sima’s long-awaited return has offset the loss of the former.
Former Rangers skipper Barry Ferguson, then, has a less-than-straightforward task when choosing his preferred XI for Sunday’s clash.
Rangers host Celtic in huge Old Firm derby at Ibrox
As far as the centre of midfield is concerned, Ferguson is taking the ‘if it ain’t broke, it doesn’t need fixing’ approach, urging Clement to start with the trio who begun the 3-1 win over Hibernian last time out.
“The midfield three will be (Mohamed) Diomande, (John) Lundstram and Cantwell. There is a good mix in that midfield,” Ferguson tells Go Radio, opting to leave out Lawrence and Raskin.
“The midfield is where games are won and lost in my opinion. It might come down to who gets a grip and a foothold in the game. The best and the quickest will win it.”
Ferguson would choose the energy and defensive prowess ofDujon Sterling over Scott Wright and Ross McCausland on the right-hand side, and also feels that Silva should get the nod over Sima on the opposite flank.
Decisive game in title race
“Rangers are playing well but they are pretty physical. I think they will go that way against Celtic,” adds the five-time Scottish Premiership champion. “I think Dujon Sterling will start on the right hand side, (and) Silva on the left.”
Rangers are currently second, and have won just one of their last nine meetings with Celtic. A victory, however, will see Clement’s side leapfrog Brendan Rodgers into top spot, two points clear with a further game in hand.
