Just as more and more Rangers players seem to be getting ruled out for the season, Celtic seem to be getting theirs back and up to full strength.
Philippe Clement has had to contend with a squad that has been missing several key players since arriving at Ibrox which makes his achievements to date even more remarkable.
Taking Rangers to Parkhead to face Celtic in the final Scottish Premiership meeting between the two sides, the manager must make one decision to avoid a repeat of previous derbies.
Dujon Sterling has to play for Rangers against Celtic
Daizen Maeda wasn’t given a healthy prognosis when he limped off at Ibrox with what looked like a hamstring complaint.
Having come off the bench against Hearts last week though, Brendan Rodgers must be considering starting him for what could be the league decider.
At Ibrox, he gave James Tavernier a torrid time.
After three seasons of playing against the Japan international, you would think that the Light Blues skipper would know how to play against him by now.
Maeda is pace and energy.
If Tavernier is isolated, he will struggle, which is why Clement must play Dujon Sterling on the right-hand side of midfield.
The essential qualities that Sterling will bring to Rangers
Against Kilmarnock, Sterling showed that he is growing in confidence in the more advanced role and regularly beat his full-back.
The 24-year old summer signing is no slouch himself but is also built like a heavyweight boxer.
Sterling must provide an early passing option for Tavernier, whether it is short or long so that the Gers right-back can move the ball quickly.
In the air, Sterling should beat Greg Taylor more often than not and will be confident of beating him in a foot race too.
He might be out of position, but his basic physical attributes make it a mismatch from the start.
Tavernier must focus, when exposed, on slowing Maeda down to let Sterling recover and back him up.
If the Rangers right-back dives in, there will only ever be one result and it never usually ends well.
Two seasons ago, Tavernier topped the Europa League’s charts for speed, once he gets going, he is still quick, just not as quick as Maeda.
That is why they must work as a duo out of possession.
John Souttar, with Ben Davies set to start on the left, will be responsible for covering on the right-hand side.
Communication will be vital between the defence and Souttar to make sure that Celtic’s biggest attacking threat is kept quiet.
Maeda isn’t the type of player to dribble in and out of three or four players, if he is given the space to run, he will cause problems.
With the right players and communication, that space must be kept to a minimum and Dujon Sterling could be key.
