The Rangers curveball Clement could throw against Celtic

Philippe Clement’s side faltered in the Scottish Premiership after reaching it in March - finishing eight points behind Celtic who they’re yet to defeat this season.

With optimism amongst Rangers ranks clearly low heading into tomorrow’s match, can that change? Here’s what will need to change if the Ibrox side are to end the season on a high…

Score first, if at all possible

This is easier said than done but it is imperative for Rangers. Celtic have scored first in 11 of the last 12 derby fixtures and it is no surprise that the form book has as much green and white on it as a result. The team that gets the opener in these matches is unlikely to go on and lose it. There was a time earlier in the campaign when Rangers rarely conceded a shot on target, never mind lost a goal. That feels like a long time ago now, though, and Clement’s side have issues individually and collectively. Rangers have been too easy to play through and play against of late. They have the best keeper in the country in Jack Butland but even he cannot singlehandedly stop Celtic and he needs better protection from whatever unit lines up ahead of him on Saturday. Clement has continually lamented the slow, sluggish starts in recent times. They are easy to pinpoint and criticise, but hard to remedy, it seems. Given what is at stake here, another would be unforgivable. If Celtic start in the ascendancy and take the lead, it will be a long, long way back for Rangers.

Chris Jack

Keep the game alive for the final stages

As stated above only once in the past two seasons have Rangers struck first in an Old Firm game. Celtic are clearly stronger at the start of games because, perhaps quite simply, they are able to play and press at a higher intensity than their opponents. Rangers may have more durability to go the course as shown in the recent 3-3 draw at Ibrox but rarely does the game state favour them late on. They’ve twice run their rivals close at Parkhead late on with 10 men, unable to properly force the issue. The Ibrox side must survive the start of this game, and likely not concede the first goal, to have any chances of lifting the Scottish Cup. If Clement’s men could reach the hour mark with the game level and depending on their starting line-up hold a joker card, such as Abdallah Sima, to bring on from the bench they may well have a chance. Of course, Rangers should try to match Celtic’s intensity from the start but it’s also important to look at the facts. They don’t have the profiles to press with the same energy and history shows one clear leader in this regard. It’s unlikely that Clement’s side win this game early, blowing the opposition away and asserting a healthy lead. Playing the long game is possible - if they don’t wait to go two goals behind before kicking into gear.

Joshua Barrie

Additional reading...

Inside Rangers' last Old Firm Scottish Cup: Magic, mayhem and a twist in the tale

Ex-Rangers assistant Vos explains the key tactic needed to beat Celtic at Hampden

Van Bronckhorst's assistant Vos: Gio needed better backing - here's what went wrong

A mass Rangers clear-out is coming & there will be no place for sentiment - Four Lads

Consider throwing a tactical curveball

After the New Year derby the Rangers Review highlighted an illuminating fact - despite winning only one Old Firm in 2023 Rangers created a high xG in six of the seven fixtures. While not a definitive stat to draw binary conclusions from this does show that games were tight on the basis of chance creation. Rangers routinely made defensive errors (in the 1-0 Scottish Cup Semi-Final defeat and 3-2 loss at Parkhead) while lacking the incision at the top end to compensate in comparison to Kyogo’s seven goals in seven matches. The most recent two Old Firm games have felt slightly different. The margins haven’t been close enough to warrant simply trying the same plan again. Celtic have played through Rangers’ press comfortably at Ibrox and Parkhead. Yes, Clement’s side were far improved in the 3-3 draw but their opponents had a two-goal lead to protect and naturally sat in to do so. On the basis of optics alone, as Rangers seek to build some optimism ahead of the summer, Clement can’t afford to roll out the same approach. If they sit in the middle of the pitch and try to man-mark their way to success we’ll see a similar movie playing out. Clement could switch to a back three and offer James Tavernier more protection against Daizen Maeda. He could opt for a 4-4-2 block, as Michael Beale settled on last season, to crowd the middle and leave Celtic’s full-backs free. He could play two strikers to match up the Celtic centre-back pairing and attack directly. What is clear is the man-marking model, against Celtic’s rotations, only works when it’s hyper-aggressive. As Giovanni van Bronckhorst learned in the 2021/22 season.

Joshua Barrie

Change the midfield approach

The old cliché about keeping doing the same things and expecting different results comes to mind here. If Clement doesn’t alter his approach, it is hard to see how Rangers turn around their fortunes in the Old Firm. The Celtic trio of Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley were imperious at Parkhead a few weeks ago. McGregor, in particular, has been a stalwart of these fixtures for several seasons and Rangers have not found an effective way to prevent him from controlling the play and dictating matters from the middle. Todd Cantwell and Tom Lawrence are not up to the task. Starting either of them in a more advanced role would be folly from Clement and would leave the Belgian open to real criticism from supporters if the performance and result don’t go his way. Both should start this one on the bench. A three of Nicolas Raskin, Mohamed Diomande and, most importantly, Dujon Sterling gives Rangers a better chance of having a foothold in an area of the pitch where the match can be won or lost. Rangers need legs off the ball and composure on it. If the midfield is overrun and outclassed, Clement’s side won’t stand a chance.

Chris Jack

Break expectations and (re)set the tone

It only takes one game to change the tone in Glasgow, but there’s only so many times you can roll out that caveat before it becomes tired. For seasons similar issues have hamstrung Rangers’ chances against Celtic; struggling to play through the midfield and establish control, appearing overwhelmed by Celtic’s press, conceding goals in quick succession. See the first half in a 3-3 draw at Ibrox, the first goal in the same game and the title-clincher two weeks ago as evidence. The form of each side and the continued injury crisis Clement must work through do little to bolster Rangers’ chances. Clement, despite all the caveats of what he’s been working with to date, needs a big win over Celtic sooner rather than later and if able to complete a cup double in his first season while ending on a high will lift the summer mood consistently. His team selection in the last two derbies has faltered. Rangers need a midfield three who can compete technically and physically and if a No.10 is selected then Cantwell merits a start over Lawrence. Sterling should be central to proceedings but may be required to fill in at centre-back again. The manner of tomorrow’s performance will hold weight. If Rangers lose in the same fashion as two weeks ago at Parkhead the reaction will, understandably, feature little in the way of understanding.

Joshua Barrie