It’s that time again - Old Firm weekend

[KK-Bhoy]

It’s that time again - Old Firm weekend

This Sunday, Celtic and Rangers will go head to head at Celtic Park in what many call the biggest derby match in world football - the Old Firm match.

I can hardly believe it, to be honest; it’s already been over four months since Barry Robson blasted a second half penalty, and subsequent winner, past stand-in Rangers goalkeeper Neil Alexander at Parkhead to signal the start of Celtic’s proper title challenge. That victory spurred the Celts on to a seemingly relentless charge to retaining their SPL crown, while the Gers’ hopes of a quadruple were smashed at the hands of Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg in the Uefa Cup final, and they had to be content with the scant consolation of the domestic cup double.

Well, a lot has happened since the end of last season; the champions have brought in five new players to strengthen their bid to make it four in a row and to improve in the Champions League, while Rangers have already been knocked out of Europe rather embarrassingly by Lithuanian minnows FBK Kaunas. But Gers fans can take heart from the fact they’ve brought in the likes of Pedro Mendes and Steve Davis to strengthen their squad ahead of another long and tiring season for Walter Smith’s men, although not as long and tiring as it could have been with them already out of Europe.

The Hoops come into the match off a morale boosting 3-0 win over Falkirk at the weekend, while the SPL and Uefa Cup runners up must have been hugely disappointed with allowing Aberdeen to come back and pick up a point after they’d taken the lead so early on in the game at Pittodrie.

However, Celtic have injury concerns heading into the big match. Scott McDonald is certain to miss the match with what former Celtic captain and now coach Neil Lennon has described as ‘a wee groin tear’, while Dutch international Jan Venegoor of Hesselink is struggling with a nasty ankle gash. Gary Caldwell should be fit enough to regain his place in the starting line up in place of what would be a very unlucky Glenn Loovens, who had a very solid debut against Falkirk after his arrival from Cardiff City.

Other players pushing for starting berths for the Celts are Marc Crosas, after he made more of an impression in twenty minutes’ worth of action than Scott Brown did in seventy minutes’ worth against the Bairns, and Shaun Maloney, who, as a first half substitute in the same match, managed to steal the show and earn himself the Man of the Match accolade in his second debut for the champions.

Celtic fans are hugely confident heading into the game. In recent times, the champions have done extremely well in the home Old Firm encounters that really matter in terms of where the SPL title is going to end up come May, but they’ll have to wary of a Rangers side out for revenge after having their SPL dreams shattered last season by a resurgent Celtic side.

One thing’s for sure - it should be another unforgettable battle between Scotland’s two heavyweights, and one set of fans will be much happier than the other come half past two on Sunday afternoon. Bring it on.