Celtic left-back Greg Taylor has issued a derby warning to arch-rivals Rangers ahead of Wednesday’s Old Firm at Parkhead.
Following a dramatic turn of events on Saturday, the Hoops are back to flirting with the top of the Scottish Premiership table again.
While Liel Abada’s strike in the last minute of regulation time handed Celtic a precious 1-0 home victory over Dundee United, Ross County’s last-gasp equaliser held the Gers to a 3-3 draw in Dingwall.
Ange Postecoglou’s men are now effectively back in the title race, having reduced the gap on pacesetters Rangers to only two points ahead of Wednesday’s showdown.
But the Bhoys will be lacking a raft of senior first-team stars, including long-term absentees Kyogo Furuhashi, Yosuke Ideguchi, Callum McGregor and David Turnbull.
Daizen Maeda and Tom Rogic, who are away on international duty, will also be unavailable for selection, handing Postecoglou a nightmare ahead of Rangers’ visit to Celtic Park.
Taylor sees the upcoming encounter as an opportunity rather than a challenge, even though his understrength side are about to take on Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s high-flyers.
What was said?
“The gaffer’s always saying what a resolute team we are and most challenges that have been thrown at us we’ve dealt with them,” Taylor explained, as relayed by The Times.
“The way we adapt to injuries and other setbacks is really important. The gaffer has a philosophy, a way of playing, and everyone knows their role in it when called on.
“Every game’s an opportunity, the manager’s massive on that. He always tells us that you have a short career and not to waste as much as a second of it.
“So Wednesday night’s another one of those occasions when no one wants to waste a second of the opportunity.
“If we play the football we can, results will take care of themselves and we’ll see where we are at the end of the season. We just play our football, take each game as it comes and try not to waste any opportunities.
“If we play the football we can, results will take care of themselves and we’ll see where we are at the end of the season. We just play our football, take each game as it comes and try not to waste any opportunities.”
No margin for error
Both sides have been nothing short of exceptional of late and will take the field in high spirits.
Despite Saturday’s setback, Rangers have taken their unbeaten run in the Scottish Premiership to 21 matches in a row (W16, D5).
Celtic are enjoying a similar run of form, having gone undefeated in 17 consecutive league games (W14, D3) following a topsy-turvy six-game start to the season (W3, L3).
After losing their last two top-flight meetings with fellow Glasgow rivals, the Bhoys will have an added motive to outplay van Bronckhorst’s side at Parkhead.
A potential win over Rangers would set Postecoglou’s team up nicely for upcoming encounters against Hearts and Hibernian, which will follow up on Celtic fixtures list.
It would also be a potentially season-defining moment for the Hoops, who will play Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League play-off round.
When it comes to their title hopes, a possible defeat in the Old Firm could put Celtic well off the pace, especially given how Rangers are amassing points in the Premiership.
Recent Posts
- Chelsea injury woes mount with 11 players doubtful for Burnley clash
- Liverpool injury update: Alisson to return in three weeks, Alexander-Arnold targets Man United clash
- Romeo Lavia sidelined for the rest of the season
- England’s international break – Which players impressed and who struggled?
- Man Utd hold talks with Wolves boss Gary O’Neil over coaching role
- Liverpool defender wants to remain at the club despite contract talks stalling
- Why Chelsea must keep £35m-rated Bayern & Dortmund target
- Jose Mourinho ready for immediate return to management
- Germany star Antonio Rudiger takes legal action against former BILD editor over terrorist link
- Liverpool hold secret advantage in race for Xabi Alonso