OPINION
Brendan Rodgers must axe Emilio Izaguirre and hand Kieran Tierney a return to action for Celtic’s Old Firm clash against Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday afternoon.
Izaguirre, 32, has been pretty woeful in the last couple of matches. In the 4-3 win against Aberdeen on Boxing Day, the senior left-back conceded a penalty before being hooked at half-time.
However he should be dropped completely for this weekend’s trip across Glasgow to Ibrox, with fan favourite Tierney on the verge of a return to fitness, according to Rodgers [Daily Record].
You get the feeling that Rodgers has been playing his cards close to his chest regarding Tierney and that the Scotland international was just being rested for one more game before the massive derby showdown this weekend.
Craig Gordon should start in goals behind a back-four of Mikael Lustig, Dedryck Boyata, Filip Benkovic and Tierney.
Tom Rogic is unavailable due to him jetting out to participate in Australia’s Asian Cup campaign, so Callum McGregor and Scott Brown should start in the centre of the midfield with Ryan Christie ahead of them in the attacking central role.
James Forrest and Scott Sinclair are no-brainers to start out on the wings based on their recent form, with Odsonne Edouard returning to the starting line-up after coming off the bench to score in the win over Aberdeen on Wednesday.
Celtic have dominated Rangers in recent years, and you can expect this domination at Ibrox to continue this weekend if Rodgers selects this starting line-up.
The Hoops fans may already be saying it after Steven Gerrard’s men drew at Hibernian, but the Scottish Premiership title race will be sealed once Rodgers’ side annihilate the Gers with this starting line-up.