Old Firm: Celtic v Rangers
Both sides of the Old Firm have been given a boost ahead of their clash at Ibrox today. Robbie Keane is expected to be fit for Celtic, while Rangers keeper Allan McGregor is back in the squad following his attack in Glasgow last weekend.
Celtic’s star striker Keane had been left out of training this week due to an injury sustained during last weekend’s victory over Dundee United, but the Republic of Ireland international trained on Saturday morning and is ready to start in his Old Firm debut.
Allan McGregor meanwhile was left out of Craig Levein’s Scotland squad for this week’s friendly against Czech Republic after being involved in an attack outside a Glasgow nightclub. The Rangers goalie has made a full recovery from his eye injury and Gers boss Walter Smith has included him in the side to face Celtic.
Rangers are currently sitting seven points clear of Celtic at the top of the SPL with a game in hand, a rescheduled match against St Johnstone on March 30. A victory for Rangers would see them extend their lead to a significant margin making Tony Mowbray’s life all the more difficult.
However, Celtic will be fighting hard to close the gap and a victory at Ibrox would not only close the gap slightly, but give the Parkhead side a major confidence boost as the attempt to keep their SPL ambitions alive.
Scott Brown has been awarded the captaincy by Mowbray and will lead his side out in this vital match. The midfielder is eager to silence his doubters who have criticised his role as captain.
With the recent media storm over Celtic’s alleged referee complaints, Brown’s Rangers counterpart David Weir insisted his side will not be affected by the “background noise” and will be firmly focussed on the encounter on the pitch.
The complaints to the SFA will result in all eyes being on referee Dougie McDonald who has the unenviable task of overseeing the match.
Rangers squad: McGregor, Whittaker, Papac, Weir, Bougherra, Beasley, Lafferty, Davis, Thomson, McCulloch, Miller, Boyd, Novo, Edu, Little, Wilson, Wylde, Alexander.
Celtic squad: Boruc, Braafheid, Naylor, Loovens, O'Dea, Hinkel, Rogne, Thompson, Scott Brown, N'Guemo, McGeady, Ki, Kamara, Zhi, Fortune, Samaras, Keane, Wilson, Rasmussen, Crosas, Zaluska.
