Rangers manager Philippe Clement and Celtic chief Brendan Rodgers have both named their starting line-ups for today’s Old Firm encounter

Rangers boss Philippe Clement and Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers have both named their respective starting XI’s and substitutes for today’s lunchtime Old Firm encounter at Ibrox.

Clement has made TWO alterations to his line-up from the side that cruised to a 3-1 victory over Hibs last Saturday. Dujon Sterling replaces Borna Barisic at left-back, with Ridvan Yilmaz failing a late fitness test. Todd Cantwell also pulls out with in-form Tom Lawrence occupying the No.10 role.

Meanwhile, opposite number Rodgers has elected for a UNCHANGED line-up from the team that produced a second half goal onslaught to defeat bottom-of-the-table Livingston in West Lothian last Sunday. Hoops skipper Callum McGregor is only healthy enough for a position on the bench.

What has Philippe Clement said?

“We have another Old Firm game in a few weeks also, so it’s not yet a decisive game. Whoever triumphs is not the champion. I don’t want mathematicians in my dressing room – I want devoted athletes who give their best every day for their team and that’s what I’ve been seeing. I am not worried. I’m looking forward to it. This is something you need to embrace – not to be worried about.”

What has Brendan Rodgers said?

 

“It starts with the whole build-up. I believe it’s essential not to get entrenched in the whole storyline because at times the storyline can be that ‘it could a disaster’. But for me the storyline is that there is always opportunity. You arrive, you remain calm and you just seek to focus on your performance. This is one of the finest, most emblematic events in world football but you’ve got to perform and you can only do that by remaining calm and seeking to play your football.”

Here’s your verified starting line ups ahead of today’s third Old Firm showdown of the season…

Rangers starting XI:

Jack Butland; James Tavernier (C), Connor Goldson, John Souttar, Dujon Sterling; John Lundstram, Mohamed Diomande; Tom Lawrence, Scott Wright, Fabio Silva, Cyriel Dessers.

 

SUBS: Robby McCrorie (GK), Todd Cantwell, Rabbi Matondo, Abdallah Sima, Kieran Dowell, Leon Balogun, Borna Barisic, Leon King, Ross McCausland.

Celtic starting XI:

Joe Hart; Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers (C), Liam Scales, Greg Taylor; Tomoki Iwata, Matt O’Riley, Reo Hatate; Nicolas Kuhn, Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi.

SUBS: Scott Bain (GK), Adam Idah, Yang Hyun-jun, Maik Nawrocki, Callum McGregor, Paulo Bernardo, James Forrest, Anthony Ralston, Stephen Welsh.

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