The Old Firm derby has arrived like a London bus. You wait around for the first to show up and then you get two at once.
Just one week after Rangers thrashed Celtic 3-0 at Ibrox in the Scottish League Cup, it’s the Gers’ turn to travel to face Celtic in an attempt to make it two wins from two against their rivals this season.
For Derek McInnes, it’s the chance to close the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership to just two points and extend Rangers’ recent unbeaten run to six games in all competitions. After a tough start to life in Glasgow, back-to-back Old Firm victories would cement his place in the Ibrox hot seat.
As for O’Neill, he’ll be more eager than anyone else to see his biggest rivals again so soon. Last week’s 3-0 defeat was as embarrassing as it was frustrating. It threatened to pull apart what has otherwise been an excellent start in terms of domestic action.
A week later, the Bhoys not only have the chance to exact instant revenge, but also the opportunity to go as many as eight points clear of their rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership. To do that, however, there will need to be a change in personnel and an almighty change in performance.
Alan Hutton urges Celtic to make two key changes for Old Firm derby
Speaking with Football FanCast, former Rangers star Alan Hutton had his say on this Sunday’s Old Firm derby. The ex-Scotland international urged Celtic to make two key changes if they want to avoid a repeat of last week’s shock thrashing at Ibrox.
Starting in goal, Hutton believes that summer signing Sam Johnstone should be dropped straight away after looking ‘nervous’ in his first Old Firm derby last time out.
“I think Sam Johnstone looked nervous in what was his first Old Firm game,” Hutton explained. “[Viljami] Sinisalo hadn’t done anything wrong prior to Johnstone coming in, so that might be something to look at.”
The 41-year-old, who played in 14 Old Firm derbies as a Rangers player, also revealed that Haissem Hassan has caught his eye since arriving in Scotland. He believes that O’Neill could unleash the winger this Sunday after a ‘bright’ performance from the bench last week.
“For me, [Haissem] Hassan has to start. He looked like Celtic’s only bright spark when he came on at half-time in the League Cup quarter-final.”
Hassan has started four games in the Scottish Premiership since arriving and whilst he remains without a goal, there would be no better time to steal the show than against Rangers this Sunday.
Impressive Hassan should start over Tounekti
It was an afternoon to forget for Sebastian Tounekti last time out. He was hooked at half-time and could now face an uphill battle to earn his place back from substitute Hassan.
The summer arrival emerged from the bench and certainly impressed Hutton alongside many others. If O’Neill is aiming for revenge, then adding Hassan to a frontline which already features Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh would be an excellent way of going about it.
It would instantly hand Celtic two direct wingers and one all-action goalscorer – pushing Rangers back in the process this Sunday.
Scottish Premiership stats 26/27 | Haissem Hassan | Camilo Duran |
|---|---|---|
Minutes | 284 | 387 |
Goals | 0 | 3 |
Assists | 1 | 5 |
Take-ons per 90 | 2.85 | 0.7 |
Chances created per 90 | 1.9 | 1.63 |
Touches in opposition’s box per 90 | 6.65 | 6.74 |
The numbers suggest that the output is on its way for Duran. He is a driving force for Celtic’s frontline, forcing O’Neill’s side forward and, most importantly, pushing opposition sides back.
His chance creation numbers, combined with his take-on ability, should make the Egyptian an instant starter against Rangers this Sunday.
Source: www.footballfancast.com
