A huge night awaits Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side at Parkhead in their top-of-the-table clash against their city rivals.
And the fitness of club captain, Callum McGregor, is under speculation ahead of the game, with the Bhoys’ midfield options already thin ahead of the game.
Do you expect McGregor to start?
Yes
No
Postecoglou has claimed there is a chance McGregor could feature in the game against Rangers on Wednesday as he battles against a facial injury suffered in the Scottish Cup.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, the Hoops boss said: “McGregor has a chance. He wants to play, but he wants to be at his best when he plays. We are really pleased with his recovery.
“I will have a discussion with him tomorrow and go through everything with him, if he feels OK we will include him, otherwise there is a game on the weekend.”
The injury has forced McGregor to miss Celtic’s previous two league games against Hearts and Hibernian, but Postecoglou remains hopeful of a possible return for the derby.
With the 28-year-old said to be wanting to play in tonight’s game at Parkhead, what could it mean for Postecoglou’s team selection?
Juranovic unleashed?
Ahead of the game against their local rivals, former Barcelona ace Goran Vucevic has tipped the Croatian right-back to potentially be the solution to Posteoglou’s conundrum in midfield.
Juranovic has predominantly played at right-back over the last few years of his career, however, he has previous experience of playing in a deep-lying midfield role from his time in Croatia.
However, he has shown capabilities of playing higher up the pitch under Postecoglou in the right-midfield role as well as in defensive midfield against St. Johnstone (via Transfermarkt).
Potential Ange selection headache, who could miss out?
If McGregor was to make a return to the XI, it would be interesting to see whether it would be a straight swap for Nir Bitton, who is suspended for the derby clash.
Reo Hatate has made an impressive start to his life at Parkhead with a goal in the narrow victory away to Hearts, but could Postecoglou feel the occasion prove too much for a player who is new to the league?
In addition, Matt O’Riley has only played two games for the Bhoys since arriving in January, which may leave Postecoglou looking at a more experienced option for his midfield – despite the 21-year-old’s positive start to Celtic life.
In other news: Has Celtic’s Ange just taken an indirect dig at August Ibrox decision?