The Tale of The Tape​

The final derby game of the season comes to Ibrox this Saturday for Setanta's 12.30pm live offering from the SPL this weekend. The race for the title looks like reaching an intriguing finale with 4 games remaining for both title combatants Celtic and Rangers, with this game in particular the definition of the infamous 6 pointer. Both managers have several crucial decisions to make with regards to team selection and formation, with each side having enforced absentees and injuries to contend with in what could very well be a title decider. Here we will look at each team in isolation;

Celtic

Manager - Gordon Strachan

Strachan: Has Key decisions to make.​

The 3 in a row title winner won the tactical battle the last time both sides met with a couple of shrewd and bold tactical switches in the Co-Operative Cup Final. Eyebrows were initially raised when there was only 1 striker named in the team sheet but placing Aiden McGeady in a more central role with a greater licence to roam proved to be a pivotal decision in the outcome of the cup. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has since hit a run of goal scoring form, however, and Strachan could very well stick with his tried and tested partnership up front, especially considering the contribution of both players in the key defeats of their greatest rivals in the run in last season. This game could again make a little bit of history for Strachan as he aims to become only the third Celtic manager in recent history to do the away league double over their rivals, achieved by Billy McNeill in 1983 along with Martin O’Neill in 2003 and something 8 other managers have not been able to do.

Key Man - Scott McDonald

Skippy: Half century Bhoy​

The Australian striker is proving more and more important to Celtic with each passing game. Already a proven goal scorer in the hoops, notching his 50th last week, he has led the line fantastically well whilst both his natural partners up front have struggled for form at times through the season. His dogged determination, work rate and constant goal scoring threat could very well be the deciding factor as it was the last time the 2 sides met at Ibrox.

Injuries & Suspensions - Brown(Suspended), McManus(Injured), Robson (Doubtful), Naylor(Doubtful)

Suspended for the big one.​

The loss of the recently crowned PFA Player of The Year Scott Brown is a substantial one for Strachan. Relied upon to supply the energy and drive from central midfield that is crucial in a derby game, replacing him could give the manager his biggest headache in the run up to the game. Before McManus hobbled off at Pittodrie the temptation may have been to move Gary Caldwell further forward into a holding role and replace him with Glenn Loovens, a move that has worked in the past, but the Captain’s injury looks to have withdrawn that option for the time being. A lot, therefore, could hinge on the fitness of Barry Robson, especially following the news he may be required to fill in at left back with the injury sustained by Lee Naylor, but having been out for 3 months there is every likelihood this game has came to quick for him. Willo Flood, Shaun Maloney and possibly Koki Mizuno could all come into contention depending on how the manager wishes to reshuffle the pack to compensate for the loss of Brown. Reserve team captain Ryan Conroy remains on standby to take up the left back slot should Naylor or even Robson not be ready for first team action.

Rangers

Manager - Walter Smith

Knows defeat could end title hopes.​

The shadow of a second successive defeat at Ibrox against his greatest rivals is looming for the Rangers manager and having been outfoxed at Hampden by his counterpart this game is a test of his character. Often criticised for being too negative in these games and playing to stifle rather than create, the burden of Rangers fans expectations lays solely at his feet. Does he stick with the 4-4-2 which has bore fruit in recent weeks? or will he again replace a striker for a midfielder in order to shut up shop and hope to sneak a goal to protect? Kenny Miller could very well be at the forefront of his plans should he decide to play someone off a lone striker.

Key Men - Kris Boyd & Andrius Velicka

1 goal in 18 appearances against Celtic.​

Both strikers are in good goal scoring form just now for Rangers. Their problem could be their managers reluctance to have both on the pitch at the same time, with Smith feeling neither contributes enough to justify their selection together in the big games. Interestingly, although Boyd would probably be considered first choice to start, his record of 1 goal in 18 career appearances against the Hoops is poor for someone of his goal scoring prowess and indeed Velicka scored 4 times that against Celtic in a matter of 2 seasons with Hearts.

Injuries & Suspensions - Ferguson (Doubtful), Papac (50/50), Broadfoot (50/50)

Disgraced Captain back in training.​

Controversial ex-Captain Ferguson has returned to light training with Rangers following the injury he obtained playing for the reserves but it remains highly unlikely he will start, even if he was in Smith’s pre-match plans. Papac is considered a slight doubt but should be in line for a recall having been possibly the most consistent player in Rangers back line for a number of months. Kirk Broadfoot, who’s lunge gave away the penalty that decided the destination of the Co-Operative Cup and who was also turned with ease by Scott McDonald for the winner at Ibrox, has been visiting a specialist in London to get to the bottom of a foot problem. Should he not be fit to return, Whittaker and Dailly are in line to take up the right back berth.

The game itself then threatens to be an electric affair with so much at stake and with the previous encounters being met with a mixed response from tepid to dull, we are in line now for a potential title deciding cracker. Sitting 1 point ahead in the table as it stands, there’s a belief that anything but a defeat sees Celtic remain in the driving seat going into the last 3 games. Anything but a win for Rangers leaves the title’s destination out with their control and will create a reliance on other teams to stop the Celtic juggernaut that is 4 in a row.