What are the big decisions for Michael Beale and Ange Postecoglou ahead of Monday’s Old Firm clash?
Keith Jackson: Beale should consider 4-2-2-2 to add solidity to his midfield but it seems unlikely. The question will be which two lead his attack and does that mean Malik Tillman dropping back? For Celtic, Matt O’Riley in the middle or Aaron Mooy?
David McCarthy: For Beale, it’s about getting the balance right in middle. He may go with John Lundstram, Ryan Jack and Glen Kamara but do they have the legs? Josip Juranovic returns for Celtic with Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor and Mooy together
Andy Newport: For Rangers, Beale must weigh up if Alfredo Morelos is fit to start and decide if he goes with Kamara or Arfield in his midfield. Postecoglou has few calls to make but I can see him opting for Jota, Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda up top.
And who is going to come out on top (and why?)
Keith Jackson: Celtic most certainly go into this one as red hot favourites having hit the ground running after the break. They’re also nine points clear for a good reason. Rangers are still searching for top gear under their new boss and it could be a long afternoon for them.
David McCarthy: I watched Celtic in midweek and they have too much firepower for a Rangers defender that still looks shaky despite back-to-back clean sheets. It’ll be tight but the visitors could win it by a goal.
Andy Newport: Rangers are progressing under Beale but it’s steady progress rather than rapid improvements they’ll need to catch up with Postecoglou’s slick Celtic. A 1-1 draw may be the best they can hope for.
Four defeats on the spin have plunged Aberdeen into crisis but is Jim Goodwin’s job on the line?
Keith Jackson: Things can’t go on like this much longer. Either Goodwin starts coming up with some answers or Dave Cormack will feel forced to pull on that itchy trigger finger all over again. The people-pleasing Dons chairman doesn’t seem like the patient type.
David McCarthy: He can’t take many more losses, that’s for sure, but I reckon Dave Cormack will give his manager a fair crack of whip to get things right. There’s a good squad there, but he needs defensive recruitments in January.
Andy Newport: The Irishman has had 37 games in charge, managing just 16 wins. Dave Cormack binned Stephen Glass after he mustered just 14 in 40 so that tells you Goodwin is in dangerous territory.
The footballing world is mourning the death of Pele. Where does the Brazilian icon rank?
Keith Jackson: Now is not the time for another GOAT debate. We all have our own personal favourite and much of that is generational. Better simply to agree our game has lost its original genius. Pele will always be football’s golden shirted trailblazer
David McCarthy: Impossible to compare different eras but it’s good fun to try. Pele’s in the top three with Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi but beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all three have a claim to be the best of all time.
Andy Newport: He’s right up there as one of the greatest to have ever kicked a ball but for me, he’s still edged out by Messi and Maradona.
