Michael Beale has named his Rangers starting team to face Celtic at Ibrox.
The Light Blues boss is looking to secure a first win over Ange Postecoglou and the Scottish champions since he returned to the club as Giovanni van Bronckhorst's successor following his stint as No2 under Steven Gerrard previously. His first derby clash in Govan ended in a 2-2 draw with Kyogo Furuhashi netting late on to silence the home crowd.
Most recently the Hoops have had the upper hand winning the last three meetings between the pair. It all started with a League Cup Final triumph at Hampden Park before the Parkhead side dumped their city rivals in a five-goal thriller in their own backyard. It was then another showdown at the national stadium with the Light Blues' hopes of a trophy this season ended as they lost their grip on the Scottish Cup after a single goal defeat in the semi-final.
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There is no such thing as a dead-rubber Old Firm derby with both sets of fans demanding a performance and a result. Speaking ahead of facing Celtic once again, Beale said: “It would mean a lot [to win], as it always does in this fixture. We can’t do anything now about what’s gone past. In the last two games, we’ve performed well and things have gone against us because we’re playing against a good opponent and we’ve shot ourselves in the foot at key moments at both ends of the pitch.
“The team looks different tomorrow compared to the last few games, so there’s an opportunity for players to play and do well, and it’s a game that is watched worldwide. There should be a lot of excitement and energy towards this fixture from my team.
“I would like to just focus on this game. There are four games to go and we want to end the season well. Our league form has been fantastic in the main, and our home form has been where you need your home form to be if you’re going to challenge over the full season. We want to keep that going.
“It doesn’t matter when this game is played and what is at stake because the eyes are always on it. It’s an opportunity, like most games but certainly this one, to do well.”
RANGERS XI: McCrorie, Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Ridvan, Lundstram, Jack, Raskin, Cantwell, Matondo, Fashion JR
Subs: McGregor, Hagi, Kamara, Morelos, Arfield, King, Devine, Lowry, Lovelace
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