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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

Charlie Nicholas voices 5 Rangers questions they MUST answer to have any shot against Celtic

Charlie Nicholas reckons Rangers boss Michael Beale faces as many as FIVE major questions about his team going into the Viaplay Cup final showdown with Celtic.

The Ibrox boss has the chance to claim his first trophy as Ibrox boss and lay down a marker for the rest of the campaign on Sunday at Hampden if they can overcome Ange Postecoglou's Scottish Premiership leaders. However, Nicholas reckons that there are big issues that Beale must plan for as he prepares his players for the crucial clash at the national stadium.

While Beale weighs up tactical tweaks to overcome the Hoops, former Parkhead star Nicholas insists that there are key concerns for the boss that his counterpart will not have to face. While he insists Celtic will remain consistent during the remainder of the campaign, he believes that all over the park Rangers have to hope for top performances from the likes of Ryan Kent and his full defence.

Writing in his Scottish Daily Express column: "Celtic are Celtic again under Ange Postecoglou. He doesn’t change his system, he might change one or two players but that is it. He will basically go into the game and say to Michael Beale 'if you have tactics or a formation that you think can stop my team then good luck.' It is up to Rangers to bring that challenge on. I don’t think it is up to Beale.

"He has shown he is up for the fight but are his players? Is Ryan Kent going to turn up? Are my defenders going to be good enough? Will my goalkeeper put on a big performance? Will my full-backs push far enough up the pitch to keep Celtic occupied?

"There is something about Beale. He has something and I do think he will spring a surprise in his approach. I don’t think he will open up and go head-to-head but he will make a game of it."

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