Rangers are preparing to take on their arch-rivals at Ibrox in an Old Firm showdown that couldn’t be set up any better. The Gers have received a huge boost ahead of the game, with Aaron Ramsey fully fit for the clash.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst will be delighted to have Ramsey available after he was omitted from Wales’ friendly squad for the game with the Czech Republic as a precaution.
Sunday’s Old Firm is set up perfectly, with the Gers trailing the league leaders by just three points and aiming to draw level at the top.
Goal difference would suggest that Rangers are more than likely to remain second even if they win. A 14-goal swing would be needed to leapfrog Celtic. With the gap so tight at the top, this could be an all-time great Old Firm clash!
Here, we look at how Ramsey’s fitness could be a big boost for Van Bronckhorst and Rangers…
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Aaron Ramsey’s impact
The experienced Welsh midfielder is closing in on 500 club appearances, spending over a decade competing at the top level with Arsenal and Juventus. That sort of experience will be priceless in what is gearing up to be nothing less than a season-defining tie with the enemy for Rangers.
Ramsey has already had a huge impact at Rangers in a short period of time. He only has three league appearances under his belt but did score a crucial goal last time out against Dundee. The Gers were 1-0 down at the interval, before Ramsey levelled things in the second period, sending his side on their way to a crucial 2-1 win.
He played on the right wing in that win too, as per Transfermarkt, showing his versatility to play in any of the central midfield positions as well as out wide when needed, so should there be any unfortunate injuries or changes to be made on Sunday, Ramsey can fit into a number of positions to help the team.
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Giovanni van Bronckhorst buzzing
Steven Gerrard left Rangers for Aston Villa midway through this season, leaving the Gers to find a replacement for their league-winning manager. Van Bronckhorst has come in looking to lead Rangers to back-to-back titles, so instant success would be huge for the Dutchman. He has five managerial honours to date, but this would be his first outside of his native land.
With that in mind, having Ramsey back for what feels like a must-win game if they are to win the league this season will be perfect for him. What a way to introduce yourself winning the league title in less than a full season at the club would be.
There’s no doubting that in your biggest games you need your best players, so to have Ramsey back for such a crucial game will be a dream come true to van Bronckhorst, who was probably worried when he was omitted from the Wales squad, especially having already had to rule out Alfredo Morelos due to injury.
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