While the Rangers need to win to keep their title hopes alive, the game comes in the middle of the Europa League Cup semi-final, just three days after losing 1-0 to RB Leipzig in the first leg in Germany ahead of the second leg. at Ibrox. next Thursday.
Subscribe to our football newsletter Rangers beat Old Firm’s last Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden just two weeks ago with an own goal by Carl Starfeld in extra time to secure a 2-1 victory after Scott Arfield canceled the first game. by Greg Taylor at regular time. Celtic have won the league head-to-head with their last two games, coming from behind to win 2-1 at Ibrox last month after a 3-0 win at Celtic Park in February, while Rangers won their first leg. the 1-0 season at Ibrox in August.
News for the Celtic team
Celtic midfielder Near Beaton will once again be available to bolster the home side’s midfield options. The international Israeli has left the recent games with a fitness issue, but returned to training on Friday. Celtic have suffered a blow in defense, however, with right-back Josip Juranovic ruled out with an injury suffered in the recent Scottish Cup defeat by Rangers to Hubden. Rangers defender Calvin Basei and Celtic winger Jota in action during the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on April 17. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Team) Andze Postekoglou’s main choice dilemma focuses on who starts first. With his two key strikers fully matched for the first time, the Celtic boss has to decide whether to use Kyogo Furuhashi or George Giakoumakis or both in the starting lineup.
Rangers team news
Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst will assess his team before the trip to Celtic Park. The Light Blues are in a state of recovery after the 1-0 defeat by RB Leipzig in the first match of the Europa League semifinals on Thursday night. With the Germans visiting Ibrox on Thursday, the Rangers could look to rest some players and make sure they are as fresh as possible for a rare opportunity to reach a European final. Rangers’ attacking options are again limited with striker Kemar Roofe (knee) and midfielder Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) out, while Alfredo Morelos (thigh) and Ianis Hagi (knee) out for the season. It leaves van Bronckhorst with a difficult decision as to who will play in the middle. Joe Aribo developed into a fake nine role against RB Leipzig with Fashion Sakala and Cedric Itten again matching the other two options.
Possible eleven
Celtic (4-3-3): Hart? Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; Hatate, Rogic, C McGregor; Jota, Furuhashi, Maeda. Rangers (4-2-3-1): A McGregor? Tavernier, Goldson, Bassey, Barisic; Kamara, Lundstram; Wright, Arfield, Kent; Sakala.
