No fears over Donovan starting, a debut for Balikwisha

It’s a rather strange feeling heading into the first Glasgow Derby of the season tomorrow. Usually the week leading up to such a clash is dominated by claims of bravado from both sets of supporters, but such is the current scrutiny on both sides, there’s hardly been any of the usual tension leading up to the big day.

As for Celtic, a one hundred percent record without conceding a goal has us well placed at the top of the table six points clear of our latest Glasgow rivals who’ve failed to register a win in the league so far despite having an easier start on paper.

In some folks thinking that would represent a free hit heading into the cauldron that is Ibrox, especially with our lacklustre attacking options at the moment, then think again.

But there is no such thing as a free hit in these games, and this one is no different as we look to create a significant gap between us and our most realistic title challengers, creating a huge psychological boost in the process. It could also turn out to be our last chance to secure a victory over theRangers in 2025.

We’ve been hugely disappointing in our last few Glasgow Derby outings, indeed our last success in the league in this fixture was this time last year, which quite frankly isn’t good enough for Celtic against the latest Ibrox club.

Can we afford to lose? Not a chance, we have to win, it’s what the supporters demand and deserve, especially;;y after the manner in which our Champions League hopes hit the rocks on Tuesday night.  There can be no excuses against theRangers tomorrow.  Go out and do what Club Brugge did to them and redeem your own European shortcomings in the process.

On the next page…Michel-Ange Balikwisha must start at Ibrox