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Daily Record
Sport
Robbie Copeland

The 6 Celtic and Rangers judgement calls that will define Premiership title date with destiny

We're closing in on the biggest game of the Premiership season as Celtic and Rangers get set to battle it out once more.

The league leaders know a victory will effectively win them the title back and Ange Postecoglou has urged his players to "bring it home."

Meanwhile Rangers know they simply have to win if they are to keep their slim hopes of retaining their Premiership crown alive - anything less and it looks like game over.

Honours have been even in the four derbies so far with Rangers winning the first and the most recent at Hampden while back to back victories in February and April have put Celtic out in front in the league.

So this one will be something of a decider in more ways than one.

The two managers, still in the early stages of their careers in Glasgow, have some major calls to make.

Postecoglou has his two main strikers to choose from for the first time this season while Van Bronckhorst has the opposite problem with both Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe missing - and that's just the start of it.

Here Record Sport have run the rule over the six selection calls that could decide which way it goes.

Kyogo or Giakoumakis?

The one that's been dominating the headlines in the green corner, it's a case of stick or twist for Postecoglou on who starts up top.

Kyogo and Giorgos Giakoumakis have passed one another like ships in the night this season and have only been in the squad together a handful of times.

The Japan star's Boxing Day injury might have derailed the Hoops' title charge had Giakoumakis not stepped in to pick up the slack and offer something completely different up front.

Kyogo's recent return then coincided with a brief spell on the sidelines for the Greek, and he's taken advantage to reclaim the starting spot up top.

However Giakoumakis' physical presence was sorely missed in the Hampden derby so it would be no surprise to see him return here.

It may not be one or the other as Postecoglou insists he can play them both.

But that doesn't seem highly likely given how ineffectual Kyogo was out wide when that was experimented earlier in the campaign. Daizen Maeda thrives in a wide role so that factor will also be weighed up.

Whoever leads the line will have a huge impact on how things play out and Celtic fans will be praying Postecoglou makes the right call.

Prediction: Giakoumakis starts, Kyogo on the bench

Who starts up top for Rangers?

It's the polar opposite issue for Van Bronckhorst as he could only dream of having too many options to lead the line.

Morelos is out, Roofe is out, Fashion Sakala is unfancied in the central striking role, and Cedric Itten hasn't been in a squad since the 3-0 defeat at Celtic Park - recently explaining a mystery illness has been behind his absence.

The solution to that against RB Leipzig was to start with a fluid front three of Joe Aribo, Ryan Kent and Scott Wright.

Joe Aribo led the line in Leipzig (UEFA via Getty Images)

But none of those three are a natural focal point in that sense and you could envision Rangers being overrun if they emulate that at Celtic Park.

They will need someone to occupy centre-backs and provide penetrating runs in behind if they are to get anything out of a solid back line that has conceded just 19 goals in the league so far.

But who will that be? Does Van Bronckhorst have another trick up his sleeve?

Prediction: Fashion Sakala starts up front

Jota or Abada?

While the striker conundrum has justifiably dominated the headlines, an equally important call from Postecoglou is who will flank his main striker.

Maeda has crafted out a key role for himself off the left since coming in and while his end product can leave plenty to be desired, his stamina, work-rate and sheer pace have made him the ideal fit for his manager's blood and thunder style of play.

He looks a shoo-in for a start but it's a touch less obvious who comes in on the other flank.

Jota would be the favourite and the classy Portuguese winger got back among the goals in Dingwall last weekend.

But Abada was one of the heroes of that 3-0 win at Parkhead that lit a fire under Celtic's title charge and he won't be overlooked completely.

Whichever of these two doesn't start, though, will surely have a major role to play off the bench.

Prediction : Maeda on the left, Jota on the right

Barisic or Bassey?

The left-back position is something Van Bronckhorst has struggled to make up his mind on at times this season.

That's no criticism of the Dutchman, of course - he has two good options to choose from and any good team will have a number of positions hanging in the balance.

Recently it's been Borna Barisic holding the spot down with Calvin Bassey moving into the middle alongside Connor Goldson.

That was the case in Leipzig and at Hampden while Bassey was dropped altogether against Motherwell - only to get off the bench when Leon Balogun saw red.

Leon Balogun is sent off (PA)

And with Balogun suspended for this one it seems he may have no choice to deploy that solution once more.

Still in his mind though will be the 3-0 defeat last time Rangers travelled to Celtic Park. Barisic was woeful that night and endured a spell out of the team after being hooked at half-time.

Van Bronckhorst is a manager who likes to keep his opponents guessing so could we see Bassey return to left-back with a surprise pick alongside Goldson in the middle?

Prediction: Barisic at left-back, Bassey at centre-back

Who joins Callum McGregor?

Perhaps the least surprising thing about this Scottish football awards season was Callum McGregor's nomination for PFA Player of the Year.

In his maiden season as Parkhead skipper, he's been a revelation, holding things together and setting the pace all the while adapting to a new style of football.

Callum McGregor celebrates against Ross County (PA)

Tom Rogic joins him on the POTY shortlist and given his record of special moments in the big games - particularly against Rangers - it would be a mild surprise to see him left on the bench here.

The other spot in midfield though could truly go to anyone.

Reo Hatate may be the favourite but Matt O'Riley and David Turnbull will be knocking on the door.

Less likely are Nir Bitton and Yosuke Ideguchi - but perhaps there will be a midfield curveball on the cards.

Prediction: McGregor, Rogic, Hatate

Rotation for Rangers?

A derby wedged between either leg of a Europa League quarter-final is hardly ideal timing for Van Bronckhorst.

And given the way the Premiership title appears to have got away from them you can hardly blame the Dutchman for prioritising the chance to make history and go to a European final.

Speaking in his Record Sport column, though, Ibrox legend Barry Ferguson has pleaded with the boss to take Celtic seriously and go full strength - since the title isn't decided yet.

In any case there will be some changes and Steven Davis may come in to add some big-game experience.

Scott Arfield will also be hoping for a return to the starting lineup while Amad Diallo may also be out to make amends after a shaky spell so far.

Prediction: 5 changes

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