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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Charlie Nicholas on the formation Michael Beale should pick to hurt Celtic

Charlie Nicholas reckons Michael Beale must go for the jugular as Rangers aim to inflict defeat on Celtic this weekend.

The former Hoops ace has called on Beale to select a highly attacking formation for the game at Parkhead on Saturday.

The Ibrox club must win the game to have any chance of a title comeback.

Celtic currently lead the way by nine points at the summit of the Premiership, so if they maintain that gap or extend it, with only seven games remaining after that point, the league would be all but over.

Nicholas doesn't think Celtic will slip up in the game. 

But if they were to, the ex-Sky Sports pundit believes Rangers will need to target the full-back areas. 

Nicholas has gone with a 4-2-4 formation for the Light Blues, with both Antonio Colak and Alfredo Morelos in the side, with Malik Tillman and Ryan Kent supporting on the wings.

He wrote in the Scottish Daily Express: "If Rangers want to make a real statement of intent against Celtic then they have to attack and take the game to their hosts.

"For me, that is to get down the flanks. If I were Beale, there are two areas that are vulnerable in this Celtic team just now.

"Greg Taylor looks like he took a sore one and the left-back is one that Rangers can maybe capitalise on if he is out.

"It is likely that Alexandro Bernabei would then start and I am not convinced he is as strong defensively as Taylor, who has been one of the top performers in Scotland this season.

"I also think Alastair Johnston, at right-back, can be attacked. He is very good going forward and on the ball, but you could have a go at him defensively.

"If Rangers were to go with a 4-2-4, when they have the ball then that would show a real intent.When Rangers lose the ball then the two wide men would come in and make it a more defensive 4-4-2.

"I would go with Morelos and Antonio Colak. If you could get the last ounce of something out of Morelos then it could work. They would also need Ryan Kent and Malik Tillman playing wide and on top of their game."

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