Rangers are getting ready for their biggest game of the season so far, but Giovanni van Bronckhorst may have a task on his hands getting his players in the right formation and mindset.
The Gers suffered late heartbreak on Saturday when they conceded a stoppage-time equaliser against Ross County, which makes it just one win from their previous three league games, but Wednesday’s Old Firm clash is always more than just another game.
Will Rangers lift the league title this season?
Yes
No
Van Bronckhorst will have to decide how to best set up his team to either try and frustrate Celtic, who have won 10 of their previous 11 league matches, or go on the offensive and carry on their great derby record of having not lost since September 2019.
The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell has been writing about the key decisions facing Van Bronckhorst, saying: ‘If the tactic is to sit in and soak up pressure with a flat midfield five then it could be a long night, but if Van Bronckhorst is brave enough to look at Celtic’s depleted side and back his midfield to control periods of the game, then it will give Kemar Roofe, Ryan Kent and Amad a platform to showcase their ability.’
Just looking at those attacking options that Van Bronckhorst has at his disposal, it would almost be criminal for him to instruct his side to sit back and rely upon catching Celtic on the break.
However, it could be argued the Gers would happily take a point against their city and league rivals as it keeps them top of the SPFL, while also extending their record of going unbeaten for such a long time against Celtic.
Van Bronckhorst may be thinking of it from a tactical point of view, though, as if his team does sit in and frustrate Celtic, then the crowd could turn on their side, become frustrated and help Rangers cause them problems at both ends of the pitch – and the Gers will certainly need to silence the Celtic fans with none of their own set to be in attendance due to allocation rules.
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