Celtic v Rangers

There has been some talk about this Old Firm game being “meaningless” as Celtic wrapped up the SPL  title weeks ago. But try telling that to the fans, as you can expect the usual excitement and tense atmosphere in Glasgow come Sunday lunchtime that is associated with every Old Firm clash.

True, survival for the administration-stricken Rangers is more important that league points, but victory over their fiercest old rivals would be a moment of light relief for Gers fans who have suffered more than most in recent months (Celtic 4/5, draw 13/5, Rangers 10/3 Match Betting).

Neil Lennon rested several star men for their clash with Motherwell last time out but, unsurprisingly, they are all back for the Old Firm clash. Georgios Samaras, Scott Brown, Kelvin Wilson and Glenn-Loovens return to first-team plans for Parkhead, while Adam Mathews and Beram Kayal are back from illness and injury respectively and could be included.

For Rangers, Kyle Lafferty is not considered after being handed a two-week club suspension while Kirk Broadfoot and Jamie Ness are available again after struggling with injuries.

When it comes to who can get the goals, Gary Hooper  (4/1 First Goalscorer) is the main man for Celtic with 18 league strikes this term and he is the leading man to break the deadlock at Parkhead. Rangers have relied on Sone Aluko (5/2 Anytime Goalscorer) since the exit of Nikica Jelavic but, despite his pace which is capable of causing huge problems, the former Aberdeen man is not as potent as his predecessor.

In three Old Firm games so far there has been 12 goals, so expect more of the same and all the traditional fireworks associated with one of the biggest derbies in world football, despite Rangers’ recent off-field woe (21/10 – 4 or more – Total Goals).

St Mirren v Hibernian

Neither of these teams are really going into this game with any run of form behind them. It’s only one win and three draws from the last six home matches for St Mirren, while Hibs’ away form boasts three wins and three losses from the last six (St Mirren 6/5, draw 9/4, Hibs 9/4).

The home side have a full squad to choose from and boss Danny Lennon admits he is looking for a continuation in the “entertaining style and attacking football” they have shown to be higher in the table than many expected.

Hibs are battling to ensure their SPL future and have received a boost with the news Garry O’Connor’s foot injury isn’t as bad as first feared and could feature. It is touch-and-go if Pat Fenlon will risk him, and he may opt for Eoin Doyle or Roy O’Donovan (Doyle 8/1 O’Donovan 9/1 First Goalscorer) instead.

The visitors managed a narrow win in the most recent encounter at Greenhill Road, but there was a 0-0 at Hibs last month, and this game looks very close yet again (15/2 0-0 Correct Score).

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Celtic have won their last eight consecutive SPL games and head into the fixture in fine form. In contrast, Rangers have won just three of their last six league games but boss Ally McCoist doesn’t think recent form will have any bearing on Wednesday’s crucial showdown.

“The truth of the matter is I would rather be a point ahead than a point behind,” said McCoist. “Of that there is no doubt.

“Celtic are on a good run of form at the moment in terms of victories, but it counts for absolutely nothing.”

Despite McCoist’s confidence Celtic look good value at evens to seal the win, Rangers are 14/5 and the draw can be backed at 23/10.

The Gers will be without defender Dorin Goian through suspension. The Romanian picked up two bookings in the loss at St Mirren last time out and will miss out. However, midfielder Lee McCulloch will be available despite his dismissal in the defeat at St Mirren Park.  Rangers have decided to appeal the decision and, as the hearing will not take place until January 5, McCulloch is free to feature in the Old Firm on Wednesday.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has been handed a double boost with the news that left-back Emilio Izaguirre has now fully recovered from a broken ankle and fellow defender Kelvin Wilson is now fit following an Achilles problem.

 Although the Old Firm will undoubtedly take centre stage there are plenty of other SPL ties on Wednesday night to consider.

Hibs are in the midst of an abysmal run and only goal difference separates the Easter Road outfit from rock-bottom Dunfermline. Hibs host Inverness on Wednesday but may struggle despite their home advantage against Caley Thistle, who saw off Aberdeen last time out. Neither side is in great form at the moment and this particular fixture could well end in a draw, which pays out at 9/4.

Hearts travel to Aberdeen in search of just their second SPL win on the road this season. The Edinburgh side have won their last two fixtures and will be seeking another maximum haul to keep the pressure on third and fourth placed Motherwell and St Johnstone.  A Hearts win is priced at 13/8, while the draw can be backed at 9/4.

Motherwell are riding high in the table but their home form has been erratic, with results on the road attributing to their lofty SPL standing at present.  However, Dunfermline, who have lost five of their last six, shouldn’t trouble the Fir Park Stadium side and a Motherwell win at 1/2 looks to be the best bet in this SPL fixture.

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Ally McCoist

The 48-year-old hit 273 goals in 581 appearances during a 15-year-long playing career at Ibrox, before enjoying two spells as assistant to manager Walter Smith.

Smith retired over the summer allowing McCoist to make step-up into his first managerial role. The former Scotland international has made a solid start to life in the Ibrox hotseat, wining five and drawing one of their opening six league games to sit a point clear of Celtic at the top.

However, he now faces his biggest test to date when his side play host to their bitter local rivals on Sunday lunchtime.

The Old Firm games are often pivotal in deciding who wins the SPL title, given the last side to win the league outside of the Glasgow duo was Aberdeen in 1985.

McCoist is all too aware of the size of Sunday’s encounter, especially on a personal level now he is manager.

“I was very lucky as a player against Celtic and hopefully I’ve kept some of that luck,” said McCoist. “The pressure as assistant manager was very intense and I realise the responsibility is certainly greater.

“I understand the enormity of the occasion, having played in so many and being an assistant in so many. I’m not sure it will feel any different because the desire to win and to do well will be absolutely massive.”

The Gers did suffer early season disappointment in Europe, losing at first to Malmo in Champions League qualifying and then to NK Maribor in the Europa League.

However, their early European exit does mean they have had a week to prepare for Sunday’s game, a luxury not afforded to Celtic, who lost 2-0 away at Atletico Madrid in the Europa League Thursday night (Rangers 6/1 to win 1-0).

Their boss Neil Lennon believes that could work in their favour, affording them an early chance to make amends for that defeat in Spain.

“Going from the European game into the Old Firm game is probably the best thing that can happen,” said the 40-year-old.

“Sometimes you can come back from a European game and there is a flatness going about your SPL duties but with a game of this magnitude, it can be easy to motivate the players.”

Lennon had the upper hand in Old Firm clashes last season, winning three, drawing two and losing two of the seven matches.

After one of those games – a Scottish League Cup clash in March – Lennon and McCoist had an infamous fight on the touchline.

The duo promptly apologised after the game, aware of the influence their behaviour may have on the terraces, but their presence in each dugout merely adds to what is already a passionate affair.

Value bets:

Nikica Jelavic to score first 5/1
1-1 draw 11/2.

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Rangers defied the odds last season when they took advantage of a late slip from Neil Lennon’s Celtic at Inverness to keep their cool and add the SPL crown to their Co-op Insurance Cup success.

The Hoops, who had to settle for the Scottish Cup, are again title favourites with Totesport (4/5 Outright) and are in determined mood going into this new season as they have also bolstered their ranks with the arrivals of Kelvin Wilson, Adam Matthews and Victor Wanyama.

Lennon, who boosted the club by agreeing to stay on as manager despite several threats against his security throughout the course of last season, is also attempting to bring in a new goalkeeper to replace Fraser Forster, with Croatia internationalist Stipe Pletikosa aiming to win a contract.

South Africa striker Katlego Mphela is also expected for a trial next week which has left Kris Commons in a confident mood as they bid to take the league title to the green and white side of Glasgow.

Commons, who impressed greatly after joining the Hoops from Derby in January, said: “Competition for places has never been so strong, especially across then midfield and back four.

“It keeps us as hungry as possible and hopefully good things will happen this year.”

Lennon has stressed the importance of Celtic doing well in Europe this time around as he feels it is “important for my development as a coach and the players’ development”.

But he is making no secret of the fact that it is his ultimate goal to prevent rival Ally McCoist getting his hands on the SPL trophy in his first season as manager after taking over from Walter Smith at Ibrox.

“I really need to win the title this year – that’s the priority,” Lennon admitted ahead of Sunday’s opener at Hibernian (Hibs 13/2, Celtic 2/5, Draw 11/4 90 Minutes).

“We came very close last season but we have only ourselves to blame for not doing it. I’m hoping we can go one better this season.”

Ironically, there is slightly more pressure on McCoist to retain the SPL title for the Gers (Evens Outright) than there was on his predecessor Walter Smith as businessman Craig Whyte arrived late last season and is willing to plough some much-needed funds into the club for new faces.

But McCoist has found his team strengthening mission harder to push through than Lennon with Spaniard Juan Manuel Ortiz the only addition to the Ibrox squad so far.

The former Rangers forward is battling to bring striker Kenny Miller back to the club from Turkish side Bursaspor, while a deal which would see defender Carlos Cuellar return after a three-year spell away at Aston Villa has also not yet materialised.

Should those deals go-ahead before the SPL curtain-raiser against Hearts (Rangers 3/10, Hearts 7/1, Draw 7/2 90 Minutes) at Ibrox this weekend, then you would have to fancy the Gers to be a good shout for more SPL success.

But, as it stands, midfielder Steven Davis, who has just signed a new five-year deal at the club to follow team-mates Allan McGregor and Steven Whittaker in penning new contracts, feels they are still short of numbers.

He admitted: “We’ve got quite a settled team from last season and a lot of us are on long-term deals now which is important.

“It’s just a case of adding to our group now as it’s a wee bit thin at the moment and it will be nice to get some fresh faces on board.”

So, at the moment it looks like Celtic marginally have the upper hand going into the season, but a lot depends on Rangers’ transfer activity before the end-of-August deadline before a clearer picture will emerge in another intriguing Old Firm title scrap.

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Rangers

Celtic appeared to take a significant step forward in their pursuit of the SPL title with the victory over Rangers on February 20 as a brace from Gary Hooper and a strike from Kris Commons condemned the Gers to defeat.

Rangers offered very little in the encounter last month and McCoist and boss Walter Smith have both admitted the Light Blues were not at their best but McCoist feels that result has revitalised their campaign.

Since the defeat at Celtic, Rangers have impressed and booked a spot in the last 16 of the Europa League with a 2-2 draw at Sporting Lisbon, with the Glasgow side progressing on the away-goal rule.

In their last SPL fixture Rangers saw off St Johnstone 4-0 at Ibrox, while Celtic lost 2-0 at Motherwell, and McCoist’s side now sit five points adrift of the Bhoys in the league table with two games in hand.

McCoist, who will take over as boss once Smith steps down at the end of the season, admits Rangers did not perform in their defeat at Celtic Park but feels the result has proved to be a catalyst for the Gers’ change in fortunes.

“If you get beat 1-0 and were unlucky, you could maybe paper over cracks and kid yourself on a bit,” said McCoist.

“After that performance, there was no kidding ourselves on.

“Hopefully it’s a lesson learned because we feel, as disappointing as we were and Celtic did play well, we can play a lot better than that, we can play miles better than that.”

Rangers will be without on-loan winger Vladimir Weiss as he suffered an ankle injury in the win over St Johnstone.  Weiss has not been completely ruled out as yet but it appears highly unlikely he will feature and Smith has conceded he stands little chance of lining up against Celtic.

The Gers will also be without key man Steven Naismith and youngster Jamie Ness, while long-term absentees Kirk Broadfoot and Lee McCulloch will also miss the Old Firm showdown (Rangers 21/10 to win the Scottish Cup).

Celtic have no major injury concerns but they will be without on-loan goalkeeper Fraser Fortser and midfield playmaker Joe Ledley through suspension, meaning Lukasz Zaluska will start in goal (Celtic 15/8 to win the Scottish Cup).

There were six booking when the two sides last met at Celtic Park and the likes of Rangers forward El-Hadji Diouf and battling Celtic midfielder Scott Brown could certainly be in danger of picking up a card in the encounter.

Both Diouf and Brown are priced at 8/1 to receive the first yellow card of the game, as is Celtic defender Madjid Bougherra, and it is certainly an interesting market considering the passion that both sets of players will surely put into the Old Firm fixture.

Some reports have suggested Smith will employ a five-man defence, as he did with reasonable success in the Champions League earlier in the season, and the game could well be a tense affair.

Both sides are priced at 9/1 to win on penalties, while Rangers are 12/1 to win in extra-time and Celtic are 9/1.

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Celtic

The Glasgow giants meet at Parkhead in the biggest game of the SPL season so far as both sides have won all of their first eight matches of the campaign.

Rangers are the current leaders in the league thanks to having a better goal difference than the Hoops as both sides have set up what looks to be another two-horse-race for the SPL title.

However, Lennon has insisted that his side has what it takes to beat Gers in the first Old Firm clash of the season.

He said: “They are playing some good stuff and they were excellent in the 2-1 win against Dundee United  last week.

“I couldn’t have asked any more from them in terms of a team performance and an attacking performance.

“So the tails are up, there is a wee bit of excitement about this game and the players are looking forward to it,” he added.

The Old Firm games always deliver exciting football but the fixtures between the two Scottish giants could take on added importance with both sides winning all their league games so far.

Rangers (10/11 to win the SPL) boss Walter Smith is taking part in his last season in management and the 62-year-old has admitted that he won’t miss the Old Firm games.

He said: “I must admit it’s a kind of nervy day.

“I think the way both teams have started the season, both seem to be playing confidently and will be looking forward to Sunday’s game.

“Both teams have every right to be confident. Maybe because of the fact we’ve both won eight games, this year’s four Old Firm games will take on an added importance,” he added.

Rangers will be looking to continue their battling form which has seen them come from behind in their last three SPL fixtures.

Gers also managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Valencia in midweek in the Champions League which keeps the Glasgow side in the hunt for a final 16 spot in the tournament.

Smith’s side will be looking to spoil their rivals’ winning record on Sunday as they hope to continue their good run of results domestically and in Europe.

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Newcastle

The Gateshead-born hitman has rifled in four league goals so far this season – including a hat-trick against Aston Villa – to jointly lead the scoring charts alongside Chelsea duo Didier Drogba (2/1f) and Florent Malouda (28/1) plus Arsenal speedster Theo Walcott (40/1).

Carroll’s form is understood to have put Hughton’s former club Tottenham, who the 51-year-old served as a coach and player for over 25 years, on alert as they look to strengthen their forward options in the mid-season transfer window.

But the Magpies’ relative weakness in attacking options means Hughton is determined to hang on to his star man.

“Amused is probably the right word – I thought the window had closed,” Hughton told reporters when quizzed over Spurs’ reported interest in the 21-year-old.

“Of course, I have heard the speculation and it is probably testament to him and the season he has had so far, albeit we are only four games in.

“He has started the season very well and with any player who is doing well, you expect some speculation.

“But from our point of view, there is absolutely nothing in it – and we don’t want there to be either.”

Newcastle’s season continues on Saturday with a trip to slow-starting Everton who will be hoping to build on last weekend’s last-gasp 3-3 draw against Manchester United at Goodison (Everton 4/7, draw 13/5, Newcastle 5/1 – 90 minutes).

Carroll’s build-up to the game has been hampered by an ankle knock but he looks set to take his place in the side while there could be a first start for veteran defender Sol Campbell following three reserve-team appearances.

However, the Magpies are still without summer signings Dan Gosling (knee) and Leon Best (ankle).

Everton captain Phil Neville is available for selection after a foot injury accounted for the former England international during the opening four games of the Premier League season.

Following an appearance for the reserves against West Ham, he told the Blues’ website: “I think it was important that I played.

“I’m glad to get 90 minutes under my belt and I’m ready to play against Newcastle on Saturday.

“It’s so important (to play) as you can train as hard as you want but 90 minutes against West Ham, who played a strong team, is like money in the bank.”

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Speculation has been rampant over the summer that the Spanish star may move on to pastures new after enduring a disappointing campaign at Anfield.

Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League after finishing in a lowly seventh place in the Premier League. They now face a third qualifying round clash against Rabotnicki or Mika to qualify for the Europa League.

Torres himself was plagued with injury but the appointment of Hodgson, who succeeded Rafael Benitez in the Liverpool hotseat two weeks ago, is seen by many as the start of a new era at the Merseyside club.

Hodgson was quick to meet his star players, including Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, but has only just had the opportunity to meet with Torres after the Spaniard returned home following his World Cup exploits.

The Liverpool boss admitted afterwards that he found the striker a “very pleasant man”.

He went on to say “As far as we are concerned he is a Liverpool player and we want him to remain a Liverpool player. He is not for sale and we don’t welcome any offers for him. We want to keep him.

“We spoke about football, the World Cup, his injury, and I told him how much I am looking forward to working with him.”

Hodgson also confirmed that managing director Christian Purslow was at the meeting with Torres and spoke to him for a far greater length of time than he did.

Meanwhile, Liverpool officials flew to Spain to see Torres in order to assess the extent of the injury he sustained in last Sunday?s World Cup final. A slight tear in an adductor muscle has ruled the player out of action for thenext three weeks.

This means that Torres is unlikely to feature in the Europa League clash between Rabotnicki or Mika, whilst it is doubtful whether he will play many pre-season games before Liverpool’s tough opening match against Arsenal on August 15 (Liverpool 5/4, draw 23/10, Arsenal 7/4).

Hodgson has also had talks with Gerrard, which he believes were positive. He made it clear that Liverpool don?t want to sell their captain and also stated that they have had no offers for him, despite rumours to the contrary.

Meanwhile, the situation regarding Javier Mascherano is a little more complicated as Hodgson has yet to receive a response from his texts and voice messages. However, he believes this is not unusual as Mascherano is probably recovering from a gruelling World Cup back in Argentina.

Hodgson also dismissed rumours linking him with a move for Nice striker Loic Remy. He said; “He’s a player who was mentioned to me by the scouting department and a player the club were following before I came.

“He’s a player I know very little about. If I am going to be interested in a player I am going to have to watch him playing, study him and make judgments which I have not been able to.”

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Benitez left Anfield earlier in the summer after a poor campaign which saw the Merseysiders fail to produce a strong challenge in either the Premier League or Champions League.

As a result, Liverpool need to appoint a new man with Fulham chief Roy Hodgson heavily linked with the hot seat.

However, Reds executive director Christian Purslow is now examining further options and Deschamps is on his radar.

Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier told L’Equipe: “I was expecting his call because I had heard of Liverpool’s interest in Didier.

“He asked me if I would allow him to meet Didier and (agent) Jean-Pierre Bernes.

“I replied that I would never forbid anyone from meeting whoever.

“I also kindly indicated to him that there wasn’t the slightest chance for him to pinch our coach. Even in his dreams.”

Deschamps has experience of the Premier League after spending a season with Chelsea following five years with Juventus.

He also led France to a World Cup win in 1998 on home soil and the European Championships title two years later during an international career which earned him 103 caps.

The 41-year-old is the latest in a long line of names linked with Liverpool, with the aforementioned Hodgson said to be in the running along with the likes of Martin O’Neill, Guus Hiddink, Slaven Bilic and Mark Hughes.

Whoever gets the nod will have the double task of reviving Liverpool’s fortunes while also convincing the club’s star players like Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano that there futures lie in the famous red shirt.

The Reds failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League after a disappointing seventh-placed finish in the Premier League while the club’s American co-owners are also looking to sell up as well.

It all points to a crunch season at Liverpool who start their season with a home clash against Arsenal.

The Gunners kicked off last season on Merseyside and promptly hammered Everton 6-1 (Liverpool v Arsenal 8/1 – Opening Day Fixtures – Game With Most Goals).

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Lennon was installed as caretaker manager of the Bhoys until the end of the season when Tony Mowbray was sacked in March. And he is looking forward to being in charge of his first Old Firm encounter, having featured in over 30 as a player.

The Northern Irishman is aware that with Rangers already claiming the SPL title it means there is less at stake in the match, but he claims the pressure, build-up and hype surrounding the match is the same.

However, while Lennon claims he is treating the match the same as any other encounter, when asked if it would be extra special to win because they are facing Rangers, he said: “Probably.”

He added: “I want them to play well and give a good account of themselves. More than anything else, I want to win.”

Lennon played down talk that Rangers have a hold on Celtic at the moment as he feels there has not been much between the two sides so far this term (Celtic 5/2 To Win To Nil), while he pointed out that former Bhoys boss Martin O’Neill won seven Old Firm games on the bounce after losing his first four in charge at the club.

He added: “I think we are due a bit of luck. I don’t think Tony Mowbray had any luck at all throughout the course of the season.

“And we want the referee to call the right decisions, to make sure he gets them right.”

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