Hello, punters! James Richardson here with some exciting news from the Scottish Premiership that could influence your predictions for the upcoming Old Firm derby. Rangers are set to bolster their defence against Celtic, thanks to a fortunate fixture shuffle that feels like stumbling upon a lucky fiver just before heading to the bookies.
Rangers haven’t exactly been blazing trails in the league this season, with manager Russell Martin already under scrutiny following lackluster 1-1 draws against Motherwell and Dundee. However, they’ve showcased promise in Europe, particularly during their 3-0 first-leg triumph over Viktoria Plzen in Champions League qualifying, despite a 2-1 setback in the return leg.
Key Defender Available for Celtic Encounter
In a boost for Rangers fans, Nasser Djiga will now be available for the Old Firm clash. Initially, the club had requested to postpone their fixture against St Mirren to prepare for the Champions League. However, they’ve since withdrawn this request, as reported by The Record.
- This decision inadvertently strengthens their defensive lineup for the Celtic match.
- Djiga, who received a red card against Dundee, would have missed the Celtic game if the St Mirren fixture had been rescheduled.
- Instead, he’ll serve his suspension against St Mirren, making him available for the derby – a strategic lift to Martin’s plans.
Potential Debut for Summer Signing
Djiga has been a consistent starter for Rangers this season in both the Champions League and Scottish Premiership, forming a reliable duo with John Souttar. The stats tell a promising story: in five matches together, they’ve secured two wins and three draws without a loss.
- Maintaining this solid partnership against Celtic will be essential.
- With Djiga sitting out the St Mirren match, Martin might debut new signing Emmanuel Fernandez.
- This strategy is sensible; throwing the 23-year-old directly into an Old Firm derby would be akin to wagering your life savings on a 100/1 outsider just because you fancied the horse’s name.
Although Rangers haven’t won on their last two visits to St Mirren, the Buddies aren’t renowned for prolific scoring. However, the physical demands of this fixture could affect Rangers’ Champions League ambitions, with either RB Salzburg or Club Brugge waiting in the next round.
Advancing to the Champions League proper remains vital for Rangers, both for potential transfer opportunities and financial stability. In the end, it’s a balancing act for Martin, similar to tracking your accumulator while your mate shares tales from his weekend at the pub.