Since Philippe Clement arrived at Rangers, the games against Celtic have been intriguing encounters that could have ended up with different results on another day.
Fine margins have been the difference between winning, losing and drawing and the manager will be hoping that luck is finally on his side – given the injury list affecting his squad, he is due some.
What he also needs is to get his Rangers selection and tactics right to avoid a repeat of his previous meetings with Celtic and legendary Ibrox striker Mark Hateley reckons that the gaffer knows what he is doing.
Rangers given Old Firm backing by Mark Hateley
Speaking on Talksport breakfast at 9:26am in response to Alan Brazil, Hateley fired back when the Celtic fan host suggested that Rangers have to play on the front foot to have any chance of success:
“Do you know what? What you have just said there, I would disagree with that.
“I think Rangers are better geared up to play away from home.
“I think that’s why they have done so well in Europe over the past two or three seasons, gone a long distance, have been defensively very good, possibly got one of Britain’s best goalkeepers in Jack Butland, outstanding he has been this season.
“Where Celtic have done well, they have just exposed the weaknesses, the defending weaknesses of Rangers, and they did that in the first game.
“Bang, bang 2-0 up on the right-hand side behind our top goalscorer Tav.”
Hateley mentality is needed by Rangers
Hateley is right
For almost three seasons now, Rangers have been their own worst enemy in games against Celtic, gifting goals right, left and centre.
The likely pairing of Ben Davies and John Souttar has been culpable in the past and James Tavenier’s record in Old Firm derbies isn’t exactly stellar either.
What goes against the former Gers striker’s theory, is that Abdallah Sima, Oscar Cortes and Rabbi Matondo are all absent.
Fabio Silva and Dujon Sterling have been doing a job, but they are far from the wingers needed to cause serious problems in open play.
Rangers under Philippe Clement have played better when there is more space to play, and Celtic won’t be sitting in, especially not at home.
The key, as it was in Europe against Sparta Prague, Real Betis and Benfica, is getting the balance right between defence and attack.
As with those teams, Celtic have serious pace up front and pace loves space.
Second balls need to be won high up the park and turnovers must be kept to a minimum.
The players also must believe that they can win, regardless of what the manager does.
Mark Hateley certainly never went to Parkhead thinking about anything other than victory.