Historic Firm: Main Battles

Rangers vs Celtic - key battles

Simply three factors separate Celtic and Rangers within the Scottish Premier League, so the place can Sunday’s recreation be received or misplaced?

The match at Ibrox may very well be key in figuring out who will end on prime in Might because it seems to be just like the race for the title race will go to the wire.

Rangers received their first recreation of the season final August earlier than Celtic outlasted their rivals within the February conflict, so forward of Sunday’s recreation WhoScored.com has picked 5 head-to-head matches that might decide who leaves Ibrox with all of the spoils. …

Sunday 3 April 11:00 AM

Departure at 12:00 midday


Alan McGregor vs. Joe Hart

GLASCOW, Scotland - FEBRUARY 2: Full-time goalkeepers Alan McGregor and Joe Hart during a Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park, on February 2, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland.  (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group)
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Alan McGregor and Joe Hart can nonetheless be busy at Ibrox

Joe Hart has stored extra clear sheets (16) than every other Scottish Premier League goalkeeper this season, considered one of which got here at Outdated Agency in February at Celtic Park. Nevertheless, of these sixteen, solely 4 got here out. As well as, Hart saved thrice on Celtic’s final go to to Ibrox, however didn’t clear Philip Hellander’s header within the second half to lose Ange Postecoglou 1-0.

Glasgow, Scotland - February 02: Joe Hart Celtic during the Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park, on February 2, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland.  (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group)
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Hart has stored probably the most clear sheets within the Scottish Premier League this season

The arrival of the summer season will purpose to enhance his observe file, as he has a WhoScored.com score of simply 6.55, the worst of all Celtic regulars within the Scottish Premier League this season. To his credit score, two of his 4 clean-away video games have come again this season in his final 4 away video games, however he’ll should be at his greatest to maintain a Rangers assault that has netted 62 league objectives this season. .

Alan McGregor missed his first previous staff of the season in August, however got here again between the sticks for a 3-0 loss to Celtic. The skilled goalkeeper has stored 11 clear sheets in 24 video games, a formidable comeback for the 40-year-old, however he was weak to the odd error.

Edinburgh, Scotland - DECEMBER 12: Rangers throw a ball during a match between Heart of Midlothian and Rangers at Tynecastle Park, on December 11, 2023, in Edinburgh, Scotland.  (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group)
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Alan McGregor missed his first sturdy match of the season at Ibrox

In reality, McGregor has made extra fouls resulting in an opponent’s purpose (3) than every other participant within the Scottish Premier League this season, together with two in a 3-3 draw at Ross County the place he has a score of three.88, the bottom in A league match in 2023/202. Having stated that, having stored eight clear sheets of their final 9 residence video games, Celtic will certainly go to work to beat him.

James Tavernier vs. Josep Juranowicz

Because it was final season, James Tavernier is the Scottish Premier League’s greatest participant up to now this time period having earned a WhoScored.com score of seven.71 throughout 29 league video games. The Rangers captain has made extra assists (96) and assists (11) than every other participant within the First Division in Scotland this season, all whereas successful Man of the Match awards.

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Rangers captain James Tavernier has offered probably the most assists within the league this season

Nevertheless, as spectacular as Tavernier has been this season, his worst efficiency of the season got here in defeating the previous firm, with a score of solely 6.02. Having missed the duo’s first assembly at Ibrox in August, the 30-year-old might be eager to make up for misplaced time on Sunday.

Anthony Ralston was beforehand the first-choice right-back for Celtic, however has lately misplaced his place within the facet to Josip Juranovic. The Croatian moved between proper and left-back after his summer season arrival, beginning 10 out of 21 within the league in first place and 9 in final.

Celtic's Josip Joranovic celebrates after scoring to make it 2-0 during the Cinch Premier League match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park,
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Josip Juranovic dazzled in his first season with Celtic

Juranović hasn’t excelled in the identical manner as Tavernier, nonetheless, and the 26-year-old has confirmed to be a stable addition to the squad because of his versatility on the again key. A median of 1.5 tackles per recreation is the fourth-best of all Celtic gamers this season and he’ll should be at his greatest if he’s to maintain the Rangers frontline in stalemate.

Conor Goldson vs Cameron Carter Vickers

Rangers are second in possession (64%) and success charge (84.5%) within the Scottish Premier League this season with Conor Goldson key to his dominance. Goldson averages extra passes per recreation (71.8) than every other participant within the Jerseys, and he ranks fourth general within the division at a crowded Celtic stadium.

Glasgow, Scotland - Feb 02: Rangers'  Conor Goldson (left) and Celtic's Giorgos Giacomakis during a Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park, on February 2, 2023, in Glasgow, Scotland.  (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group)
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Conor Goldson averages extra passes per recreation than any Rangers teammate

Nevertheless, like Tavernier, Goldson’s worst efficiency of the season got here in a 3-0 loss to Celtic, so the middle again might be on the lookout for compensation within the penultimate recreation per week earlier than the league break up. Goldson’s efficiency ranges could have slipped from final season, however he stays a key participant within the Jersey staff as they search to defend their crown with success.

So far as the primary seasons go, you possibly can’t ask for a lot better than Cameron Carter Vickers. With a WhoScored.com score of seven.32, the 24-year-old is the best-rated centre-back within the Scottish Premier League this season. The American possesses quite a few endearing traits that helped rapidly win over the Celtic devoted, however the very best of them is his distribution, which permits Celtic to dominate.

Cameron Carter Vickers celebrates after opening the scoring for Celtic
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Cameron Carter Vickers is WhoScored’s greatest heart again within the league this season

Carter-Vickers ranks second in passes per recreation (91.2) and sixth for cross success charge (89.3%) within the division and this high quality on the ball means Celtic are capable of dominate league video games this season and deny opponents the chance to assault Joe extra incessantly. Hart between the sticks. Celtic have conceded fewer objectives (18) and take fewer photographs per recreation (6.4) than every other staff within the Scottish Premier League this season, with Carter Vickers necessary to each numbers.

Ryan Kent vs JOTA

Ryan Kent has struggled to match his numbers in 2020/21 having scored simply two objectives and 5 assists this season. As such, his WhoScored.com score has dropped from 7.40 to 7.25, however he stays a participant decided to enhance his numbers within the closing third earlier than the marketing campaign attracts to an in depth.

Ryan Kent vs Rangers
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Ryan Kent may very well be the important thing to Rangers towards Celtic

Kent ranks tenth for photographs (58) and 14th for assists (39) in First Division Scotland this time period, and when he begins his profession with the ball at his ft, he’s onerous to drop, as evidenced by his 48 profitable passes on this Scottish Premiership. season. Solely former Hibs striker Martin Boyle (53) has accomplished extra.

Like many newcomers, Jota shone for Celtic in his first season in Scotland. The WhoScored.com score of seven.53 is the third greatest within the Scottish Premier League this season and the Portuguese teen has thrived on the street. Nevertheless, Sunday’s journey to Ibrox might be his first in his profession, so one would anticipate a baptism of fireside for this 22-year-old.

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Highlights of the February Scottish Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers.

His mixed whole of 14 objectives and assists is the sixth greatest participant within the division whereas Jota additionally ranks eighth for key assists (45) and fifth for profitable dribbles (38), so not solely is he capable of simply beat the opponent, there may be additionally a superb finish product to his recreation. Within the battle for supremacy in Glasgow, the winner of this head-to-head wing-shape could have a keynote within the title race.

Alfredo Morelos vs. Giorgos Giacomakis

Alfredo Morelos could have 11 league objectives to his title this season as he’s nonetheless within the race to win the Scottish Premier League Golden Boot, but his previous file is poor. Morelos has confronted Celtic (18) extra instances than every other staff in his profession and scored solely two objectives in that spherical, and solely as soon as in Ibrox.

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Alfredo Morelos scored twice on his return to Rangers in a 5-0 win over Hearts

The 25-year-old has managed extra photographs (112) than every other participant within the Scottish Premier League this season, so he stays as assured as ever in his pursuit of purpose. Even when the Colombian does not rating, followers may be certain Morelos will make an impression within the closing third. Seven assists is Scotland’s third-best, these coming from 52 key passes, and the fifth on the most, and Rangers supporters hope he can cement his poor purpose towards Celtic at Outdated Agency in sight.

The damage affected Giorgos Giacomakis’ time at Celtic after arriving from PEC Zwolle, however the Greek killer nonetheless scored eight objectives in simply 745 minutes of league matches. Giacomakis has scored a hat-trick in two of his final three Scottish Premier League video games, doing so towards Dundee and Ross County.

Celtic Giorgos Giakomakis celebrate their 2-1 . win
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Giorgos Giacomakis has reached Celtic degree in current weeks

The final Celtic participant to attain a hat-trick towards Rangers was Moussa Dembele in 2016, a feat the Greek ahead might be seeking to replicate at Ibrox. However, with solely one of many eight objectives scored on the street this season, the 27-year-old must be at his greatest so as to add to his spectacular eight objectives given his quick taking part in time following his transfer to Glasgow.