The Glasgow derby is upon us this weekend as Rangers host Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon.
Philippe Clement’s Gers ‘welcome’ Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops at Ibrox in one of the most important derbies in recent years.
Rangers currently sit second in the Scottish Premiership table, but they’re just one point behind leaders Celtic.
In addition, the Light Blues have a game in hand on the Bhoys, so it’s a game that could have a big say in where the title goes.
Rangers v Celtic team news
With regards to team news, Ridvan Yilmaz could return for Rangers after missing the last game through an injury picked up on international duty.
Meanwhile, Abdallah Sima – who returned to action against Hibernian last weekend – could potentially start over Fabio Silva or Cyriel Dessers.
As for Celtic, they have received a number of boosts ahead of the derby, with Callum McGregor and Luis Palma both pushing to start.
However, the likely start of one player who recently returned from injury could well be the biggest positive for such a big game.
Hoops-leaning pundit Andy Walker believes Cameron Carter-Vickers being back is a particularly “huge boost” for the green and white team.
Walker, speaking on talkSPORT, said: “When you look at the spin of the team you have Joe Hart in goal, it’s his last season, he will be focussed.
“In front of him, the fact Cameron Carter-Vickers is back fit is a huge boost for Celtic. He is the leader in the heart of Celtic’s defence.
“In front of him you have got, I think Callum McGregor, hopefully coming back to be a captain and lead the way. He knows how to get the job done.
“And then you have a special striker in Kyogo. This guy has a terrific record in big games, especially against Rangers, and that’s why he’ll start ahead of Adam Idah I’m sure.”
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Carter-Vickers has endured a frustrating season on the injury front since undergoing knee surgery at the end of last term.
The 26-year-old he sat out Sunday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final victory over Livingston as a “precaution” after feeling a “twinge” in his hamstring.
However, Carter-Vickers has featured in Celtic’s last five Scottish Premiership games, so he should be good to go in the derby.
He is arguably the best defender in Scotland right now, making the Hoops more solid but also helping keep the team higher up the pitch by penning opponents in.
If Carter-Vickers starts, no doubt he’ll have a big say in the outcome of the derby.
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