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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Graeme Young

3 burning Celtic questions ahead of Rangers blockbuster as big decisions loom

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou appears calm and composed ahead of a defining fixture in his side's season.

But with one week to go, supporters must feel like asking, 'are we there yet?'.

International week offers a chance for many to recharge but followers of the Premiership leaders don't need a jolt seven days out from a visit to Ibrox.

Fans from around the world will be transfixed on the action from Govan, as champions Rangers host Postecoglou's side with only three points between them and seven games to go.

A win for the hosts would be a signal they are thriving rather than flagging amid a run to the last eight of the Europa League.

But a victory for Celtic would leave them in an enviable position and push them closer to a title at the first attempt for the Australian boss.

Postecoglou is acutely aware it won't be easy but his side have proved capable of defeating their rivals as they did in the 3-0 rout on February 2.

Record Sport looks at a trio of big questions the 56-year-old will have to answer in the coming days ahead of their blockbuster trip across the city.

Abada or Maeda?

'Jota on the wing', has been ringing aloud from the stands for months now and barring an injury, the Benfica loanee is a banker to start at Ibrox.

But on what side?

If jet-heeled Daizen Maeda starts on the left then that means Jota will be on the right - a position Liel Abada has made his own for much of the season.

The emergence of Giorgos Giakoumakis, a stick-on to lead the line at Ibrox, leaves Postecoglou with a decision to make on how best to shuffle his front three.

Maeda, from his starting position on the left, is often tasked with the vital role of closing down the opposition goalkeeper and haranguing defenders with his tireless work rate.

Jota also thrives playing on the left side, it gives him the option whether to come inside or take full-backs on down the line. But he is equally adept on the right and it gives him the chance to get the ball in the box at the first time of asking.

The 22-year-old and Josip Juranovic have linked-up well this season, on the left and right, and they will likely provide a one-two punch that Calvin Bassey and Ryan Kent will be tasked with slowing down.

Abada has been excellent this season, of course, but it feels the most likely front three will be Maeda from the left, Giakoumakis through the middle and Jota on the right.

Kyogo for tricks?

Ally McCoist rued his former team's decision not to include new arrival Aaron Ramsey on the bench against Celtic just two days after his deadline day switch from Juventus.

The Rangers icon's thinking was it would give Gio van Bronckhorst's men an edge and leave the hosts with something to ponder.

In truth, the Premiership champions could have had Lionel Messi among the subs as a decoy and it wouldn't have spooked Celtic on a night they were laser focused, en route to a comprehensive 3-0 win.

But does McCoist's logic apply with the returning Kyogo? Perhaps, and here's why.

Ramsey's talents are obvious but you have to accommodate more of your pre-match prep for a striker who specialises in playing on the last defender than a midfielder who can pull the strings.

If Kyogo makes the matchday squad and Gio van Bronckhorst reckons he'll be on the pitch for a significant amount of time, does that come into his thinking when choosing Connor Goldson's partner?

The 3-5-2 remains a live option for the Dutchman, however, if goes with a back four then he must decide between the speedy former Wigan defender and the powerful Swede.

Helander matches up well with Giakoumakis but having Balogun on the pitch, if and when, Kyogo enters the fray seems a logical choice.

The Japanese striker was electric when he replaced Odsonne Edouard through the middle in the closing stages of the meeting last August.

Perhaps next Sunday's game comes too early for for him but there is merit in including him in the matchday squad.

Turn or twist?

David Turnbull will have been left in no doubt how highly he is valued by his manager since making his return.

Postecoglou isn't shy in talking up his players and he has showered the Scotland international with compliments after recovering from a hamstring injury.

And Turnbull certainly feels like a live option for a start at Ibrox.

Tom Rogic is dealing with a "medium term" injury in the wake of Kayne Ramsey's full throttle tackle that led to a straight red for the Ross County man.

Matt O'Riley replaced the Australian and was lively during his time on the pitch against the Staggies. Reo Hatate had some nice touches in the other attacking midfield slot in front of skipper Callum McGregor.

(SNS Group)

But Turnbull has experience of Ibrox and his mixture of creativity and determination to get shots away could be the right mix.

An alternative for Postecoglou is to push McGregor up the pitch and bring Nir Bitton into the pivot position in midfield.

The Israeli has the ability, of that there is no doubt, and any disciplinary concerns seem a tad overblown considering he's only been booked four times in his last 30 appearances for club and country.

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