Celtic v Rangers: The crucial match-ups
We're just over 24 hours away from the second Glasgow derby of the season. Colette Carr makes her The Away End debut and looks at two crucial match-ups that could decide the game and even the league title.
Fraser Forster v Allan McGregor
It’s the 90 minutes that brings the west of Scotland close to a standstill, as most of its energies focus on the happenings at Parkhead. As the second Old Firm fixture of the season draws ever closer, we take a look at, and compare and contrast four likely starts from both ends of Glasgow.
Both Fraser Forster and Allan McGregor have starred throughout the season, and it would be a major shock if either of them failed to start on the 28th. However, the two stoppers have very little in common.
McGregor, who turns 30 next January, has far more experience over the 23 year old loan star Forster. Forster, who is on his second loan spell to Celtic from Newcastle United, has featured in seven Old Firm clashes since his move to Celtic, but McGregor has been in over 250 games for the Light Blues, and a considerable number of these appearances would be in the derby.
And the superior experience over the Englishman doesn’t end there.
With call ups from three Scotland international managers, it is clear he is a highly rated player with a wealth of experience under his belt. McGregor also appears to be stronger presence than his Parkhead counterpart. While Forster is a very good shot stopper, the Ibrox number one is far more commanding of his box, whereas Forster shies away from cross balls.
Both keepers are capable of great reaction saves, but when it comes to penalties, there is no contest. While Forster recently made his first penalty save for the Bhoys in the victory over Hearts at Celtic Park, McGregor has proved himself reliable and trustworthy under the pressure of a spot kick, saving many throughout his career. With these being a common feature of Old Firm games, this comparison may affect the outcome of the scoreline.
While McGregor is more dominant than Forster and undoubtedly the better keeper, both have ability, but also, it can be argued, a keeper is only as good as his back line allow him to be.
James Forrest v Sone Aluko Our next two players are two potential playmakers in the match; wingers James Forrest and Sone Aluko.
With Aluko expected to start on the left wing for his second match after the two match ban placed by the SFA, it will be the former Aberdeen player’s first taste of Old Firm football. On the other hand, Forrest has worked his way onto Lennon’s derby team sheet five times out of the eight fixtures since he broke into the first team, starting once, and making one substitute appearance. Overall, he has a better idea of the pressure that comes with the occasion.
Should he begin the match, he would be on his favoured right wing. As of the 18th of December, Forrest has made 54 appearances for the Hoops, and scored 11 goals, and while it will only be Aluko’s fourth appearance for the Gers, he is geared up to be an instrumental player as McCoist builds up his own squad in his bid to make it four in a row.
Both players are generally very direct players, with both possessing excellent control and pace, causing defences many problems. Forrest has demonstrated bursting runs up to forty yards, and has a great talent for finishing the job off. While he shows great bravery in his runs, he can be hesitant in 50-50 balls, often allowing the opposition to gain possession.
Aluko also, while showing himself as a real threat, he can at times become non-existent and forgettable. As Forrest has far more experience playing for such a huge club, he has this edge over the Nigerian International, however both players can make or break this game.
While each of these four players have great strengths, it all comes down to the 90 minutes on the day. Old Firm days often see form go out the window, and, no matter how strong your starting
eleven may appear, the Glasgow derby is never predictable.
