Fans are eagerly looking forward to the season’s first Old Firm Derby with great excitement and anticipation. It’s finally the first opportunity to mark their territory in the race for both teams.
However, there might be an air of anxiety in both camps. Supporters are concerned about the form of their respective teams, and on the other hand, they are content with recent disappointments.
In short, it’s been a modest start for the formidable foes of Scottish football.
Michael Beale sought forgiveness from those who had crushed Rangers’ Champions League qualification hopes by an easy victory through PSV. Celtic was held to a goalless draw at St Johnstone’s home in Perth last week, eliminating them from the UEFA Play-Offs.
There might be a ray of hope for Ibrox this Sunday with an optimistic shot in their arm.
- Can you name Rangers’ Old Firm XI for the last derby?
- Â “I’ll demonstrate to the Celtic players how to achieve victory.”
- Â ‘Rangers vs. Celtic is now bigger than the Old Firm’Both managers are in a rebuilding phase as Beale has embarked on his first full campaign with many new faces, whereas Brendan Rodgers has altered the formula for success in the defensive Champions League qualifiers.
It was believed that Rodgers had to start with a position of strength, which was bequeathed an heirloom of a winning squad, but after Jota, Aaron Mooy, and Carl Starfelt’s debut, the first-team recruits were slow in making an impact.
Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner told BBC Sportscene, “Going to Ibrox is a big, big task, especially now with the loss of confidence.”
“I’ll show the Celtic players what it’s like to win,” Brenden Rodgers said. ” Rangers is the biggest game of the season.” Both (Old Firm and Rangers) managers are in a transitional phase because Beale has embarked on his first full campaign with many new faces, whereas Brendan Rodgers has changed the formula for success in the defensive Champions League qualifiers.
It was understood that Rodgers had to start with a position of strength, which was inherited by a winning squad, but after Jota, Aaron Mooy, and Carl Starfelt’s debut, the first-team recruits were slow to make an impact.
Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner told BBC Sportscene, “Going to Ibrox is a big, big task, especially now with the loss of confidence.”
Did the ruthless edge vanish?
No benefit came from defensive injuries, but without a doubt, the two late goals conceded last week are a more troubling issue for Celtic at the end of the week under Ange Postecoglou’s management, which was ruthless and aggressive.
Rodgers acknowledged that there was a “lack of quality” in their approach and “a lack of that extra imagination” in the centuries. Kyogo Furuhashi, last season’s top scorer, has been playing a crucial role, and he has furthered the prospects of midfielders, Matt O’Riley and David Turnbull, both of whom have scored two goals in three league matches.
Kyogo has two as well, but if St. Johnstone’s O’Riley is denied by Kyogo, there might be more.
It seems that Rangers’ problems are behind them; PSV scored seven against them on two legs, indicating that Celtic might have opportunities, but do they need a change in perspective to take them?
“Kyogo was very lonely on Sunday,” former Hibs and Dundee United goalkeeper Pat Bonner told BBC Scotland.
“He didn’t get a lot of help, and that’s an area Rodgers should focus on for improvement. Celtic couldn’t provide Kyogo with enough support in the penalty area.”
Rodgers confessed that Celtic Park was “a bit subdued” “deserved” from the supporters, but he is confident that things will soon pick up.
“When you first look back here, it’s very different; the team was dynamic, it was fast, it moved quickly past lines, created opportunities, scored,” he said. “It’s the same thing that we’ll eventually achieve.”
Brendan Rodgers presents a hopeful record.
Last season saw the best meetings of old form, with the only success for Rangers coming at Ibrox when the title was already decided.
If Rangers continue to win consecutively, it will be an even more daunting task for Celtic. However, no Celtic manager can improve Rodgers’ 70% win rate against the Rangers in the league (W7 D2 L1).
“When you’re handling Rangers, you’re dealing with home and matches, so it’s straightforward in terms of motivation and dedication because it comes with a sense of responsibility,” he explained. “There’s no room for picking and choosing games, especially not this one.”
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