Yahoo Sports ‘It doesn’t feel that way now’ – Keith Jackson predicts score of Celtic v Rangers
Celtic and Rangers meet again in the Glasgow derby clash on Sunday in the Premier Sports Cup final at Hampden Park.
The Bhoys have maintained their superiority in the Scottish Premiership, but there has been a resurgence at Ibrox, and Rangers appear to have finally turned the corner.
Rangers are unbeaten in their last nine games in all competitions, and produced arguably their best performance of the season against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night at Ibrox in the Europa League.
Keith Jackson rightly said that, given their current form, Celtic would have battered Rangers only a few weeks ago. Now, they might pick up a narrow win on Sunday.
He thinks Brendan Rodgers has the “managerial expertise” to overcome Rangers’ challenge and has predicted a 2-1 victory for Celtic.
Jackson wrote for the Daily Record: “If this final was three weeks ago it would have been a matter of how many Celtic would win it by.
“It doesn’t feel that way now. But Brendan Rodgers has gone the course and distance in this derby and his managerial expertise will see his side get over the line. Just.”
The derby promises to be a cracking contest
Rangers lost 3-0 against Celtic in the first derby of the season at Parkhead in the Scottish Premiership.
Overall, Celtic have a great record in this particular fixture in recent years, and ahead of the game, Rodgers aimed a brutal dig to remind their rivals of the number of trophies they have won in the past few years.
The Hoops are unbeaten in their last 14 games in all competitions, and they will start as favourites. At the same time, Rangers showed enough quality in the 1-1 draw against Spurs in midweek, leading many to believe that the competition would be fierce.
Celtic have received a major injury boost ahead of the game. Alistair Johnston, who picked up a knock in the previous game, has been declared fit to play.
Clement needs to make a huge decision on James Tavernier. The Gers defender was outstanding against Spurs, but he has struggled against Celtic wingers in the past.
