Rangers-Celtic: Both Members Of The Old Firm Can’t Stay Perfect

There are other giant derbies in the world, but few can rival the deep seeded animosity felt between the fans of Celtic and Rangers. It’s one of the few sports rivalries in the world where the fans are split about something as divisive as religion. And, while this is hardly a good thing, the repeated violence surrounding the match certainly shows just how much it can mean to people. Someone posted on Wikipedia without a citation that hospital room admissions increase ninefold on derby day in Glasgow. It might be a completely made up number, but the fact that most of you weren’t even shocked by that “statistic” puts the Old Firm derby firmly in the Tyson Zone.

This year’s first Old Firm derby is extra special, as both teams are perfect heading into it, having both won their first eight games of the season. Celtic are doing it with an organized team effort, receiving goal contributions from many players. Rangers are a different story, as Kenny Miller has piled on the misery for opponents with 11 goals in his first eight games.

Rangers let star striker Kris Boyd leave for Middlesborough in the offseason and didn’t purchase a direct replacement. Instead, they expected the players they already had to step up, and Miller has done that in a big way. Last season, Miller tallied 18 goals in 34 games, the 30 year old’s best goal tally for Rangers and the best goals to games ratio of his career with any club. Boyd, meanwhile, has struggled valiantly in the Championship. His team, Boro, are currently in the drop zone.

Other than Miller, Rangers are highlighted by athletic box-to-box midfielders Steven Davis and Maurice Edu, creative on-loan attacking midfielder Vladimir Weiss, balanced forward Steven Naismith, athletic central defender Madjid Bougherra, and ageless central defender David Weir, a man who has played in 577 league matches in his career.

Celtic don’t have anyone on a hot streak like Miller’s, but they probably possess more total weapons than Rangers. Winger Shaun Maloney, hot young striker Gary Hooper, new signing Joe Ledley, talented young midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng, and (somehow only 25 year old) veteran Scott Brown help to make up a talented side. Their depth of options rather than reliance on one star could prove a possible advantage for Celtic.

The Hoops have a couple of other advantages in the match as well. First of all, the match is being played at Celtic Park. Second of all, Rangers had to play mid-week in UEFA Champions League. Steven Naismith of Rangers says that fatigue isn’t a factor, but it’s hard to believe that Celtic won’t have at least slightly fresher legs.

It’s going to be a hard-fought match for sure, and if the beginning of the season is any indication, a close one as well. A boring game and/or a blowout for either team would be a shocker. Let’s just hope the passion of this match is harnessed in a constructive way.

Prediction

Celtic 2 (Ledley, Maloney), Rangers 1 (Naismith)