Rangers and Celtic go head-to-head on New Year’s Eve in the first Glasgow derby at Ibrox for over four years. It’s a massive occasion for supporters of both teams.
For the fans, it will either be another layer of added joy on Hogmanay or a heartbreaking away to end 2016.
Little is at stake in terms of league positions with the Bhoys streaking ahead of their city rivals at the top of Scottish Premiership – they’re currently 16 points clear with a game in hand and don’t even look like drawing never mind losing – but, for Rangers, this one means a lot. After two demoralising defeats to Celtic already, the chance to finally get them on their own turf is a mouth-watering prospect.
It’s often said that these derbies are levellers in terms of form, so Gers fans, it doesn’t matter how many games in a row Celtic have won, it’s just about this one.
For Celtic, it’s a chance to re-assert domestic dominance. Another display like the one at Celtic Park and Hoops fans will be celebrating it long into 2017.
It’s all set to provide some New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Here are the THREE key battles on the pitch that will decide the outcome of this encounter…
Scott Brown vs. Andy Halliday
Brown is one of those players loved by his own support but hated by fans of every other team. He’s a nightmare to play against, an annoyance as a rival supporter and a player who is always liable to step up and produce on the big occasion.
The man tasked with ruining his afternoon on NYE will be Halliday. A Rangers man through and through, Halliday is the beating heart of this side much in the same way that Brown makes Celtic tick.
This midfield battle could decide the outcome of the entire game. Whichever side can get a foothold in midfield has the ability to create and score chances.
There’s no doubt that Halliday will raise his game when backed by a buoyant Ibrox, but will that be enough to reach the heights that Brown has scaled this season?
Scott Sinclair vs. James Tavernier
Sinclair is the creative outlet that Celtic have been looking for from the wide areas for years. A dynamic and direct player, he has ability beyond what you usually see in the Scottish Premiership.
His contribution in Celtic’s 5-1 victory earlier in the season was second only to Moussa Dembele’s.
The man tasked with stopping him will be Rangers’ Tavernier, a player often said to be their best. He’s had a hard time against Sinclair so far this season, playing in both defeats.
At Hampden though he looked much more comfortable dealing with the winger that at Celtic Park, although he was aided by the addition of Lee Hodson playing behind him.
Perhaps the home crowd at Ibrox will further boost his confidence and allow him to have one of his best performances in a Rangers shirt. If the Gers can’t stop Sinclair then they’re likely not going to have a very fun afternoon.
Will the double up on him as they did at Hampden?
Moussa Dembele vs. Rob Kiernan
Rob Kiernan had a nightmare of a day against Dembele at Celtic Park earlier in the season. The striker gave both him and Philippe Senderos a torrid time and it was Kiernan’s sloppy pass that led to Celtic’s second goal.
It showed that if you offer things on a plate to Dembele, he has the ability to punish.
At Hampden it was a different matter, for 87 minutes anyway. Kiernan dealt with the Celtic man much more effectively that day, and provided a physical presence that couldn’t be pushed around easily by the Frenchman. Of course, that all changed when Dembele timed his run perfectly to nutmeg both him and Matt Gilks in the Rangers goal.
Part three will be a fascinating contest with Dembele slightly off the boil compared to his early season form and Kiernan coming off the back of a bad mistake against St Johnstone.
Who will rise to the top? Who will feed off the atmosphere more?
