Neil Lennon has delivered his Old Firm score prediction as he outlined the difference between his Celtic crop and Ange Postecoglou's current side.
Rangers welcome the Hoops to Ibrox next week as Michael Beale aims to maintain his 100 per cent record as Light Blues boss and close the gap at the top of the Premiership. The champions, who have won four from four on return from the World Cup shutdown like their rivals, hold a nine point lead at the top of the table and can make that 12 with a win. Victory for the home side would reduce that to six, but Lennon believes it is his old side that will claim the derby bragging rights once again and kick off 2023 on a high.
He's also tipped Kyogo Furuhashi to continue his fine scoring form of late while he believes Alfredo Morelos will also get on the scoresheet. Speaking to Football Odds, he said: "I think Celtic will win 2-1. Morelos will score for Rangers with Kyogo and O’Riley scoring for Celtic.
READ MORE: Neil Lennon declares title race OVER if Celtic beat Rangers as he talks Beale, Morelos and Kent
"Celtic handle the opposition really well and the physicality of the game too. They also score goals in bunches and handle the derbies really well. Ange has an excellent record in the Old Firm as well. Going into the game on the back of a 4-0 win will also give Celtic plenty of confidence. Celtic will look to play at a high intensity, and it is up to Michael Beale to try and stop this."
Comparing the Celtic side he managed to the side Ange Postecoglou has at his disposal, he added: "The sides that I managed compared to the current side are very different. The current team is smaller and they miss someone like Wanyama or Samaras.
"Giakoumakis would have fitted into my team though as he is a big centre forward. But they have more speed than the team that I had.
"They’re a great team and Ange has done a great job. They’re doing really well in the league and are well on top. They’re a young team and have room to grow as well. They seem like a good group of players too."
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