Bank Of Scotland SPL
Saturday 20th August 2005
Ibrox Stadium
Kick Off 12.30, Live On Setanta
I must say, if you had asked me after Fir Park, to predict a scoreline at Ibrox tomorrow I wouldn't have been telling you good news. A hefty defeat at the hands of Artmedia followed by a chaotic defensive display at Motherwell didn't really fill anyone with confidence for the season but things now appear to be looking up.
Tomorrow's game is the big test for Celtic, and Gordon Strachan. I do believe it is too early to be judging the manager and it is probably also too early for this new Celtic side to be going to Ibrox.
A fear is obviously Mo Camara. Rangers will throw everything down Celtic's left-hand side and Camara, I fear, is in for a torrid afternoon. However, he does have pace and if he can stick at least one good cross into the Rangers area, I am sure someone can get onto the end of it.
I have faith in Paul Telfer and it looks like Stephen McManus and Bobo Balde will partner him in defence. Tomorrow, if we defend well, we have a good chance of taking something from the game.
Strachan will probably start with the same team which started the last two games, but you never know. An Old Firm game at Ibrox is hardly somewhere to try out new things but Beattie, Maloney and even Aliadierre are looking to start. On the basis of the last two games, Zurawski deserves dropped but I believe he'll come good and what better place to kick start his career at Celtic?
The hatchet men will be out for Nakamura, and will be hoping to half him in two. Here's hoping the wee man is wise to this and will not be affected by it.
What we are looking for is a couple of free kicks outside the Rangers area. Nakamura, Thompson and Maloney can strike them and this will give us a good chance of a goal or two.
Big John has been doing the business up-front this season, and is the on-form striker in Scotland at the moment. It's about time he showed up Marvin Andrews for what he is, as in the past Hartson has looked scared of him.
The nerves have already started but I am looking forward to the game. We are ahead of them in terms of points and I am looking for the team to play well in the game. A draw would suit me fine, and this is how I believe the game will go.
Come On The Hoops!
Prediction: Rangers 2-2 Celtic