Celtic and Rangers clash sees Carter Vickers, Tillman and Sands earn chance to rubber stamp World Cup ticket

US boss Gregg Berhalter is jetting in to Glasgow this weekend to run the rule over his three Old Firm Qatar hopefuls.

Rangers duo James Sands and Malik Tillman will go up against compatriot Cameron Carter-Vickers at Celtic Park in the opening derby clash of the season on Saturday. And Berhalter will be there to check on the trio’s progress ahead of this year’s World Cup.

On-loan Bayern Munich kid has taken no time to settle into life at Ibrox having arrived along with six other new faces over the summer but Sands has emerged as a surprise regular six months on from making his on loan move across the Pond from New York City. The 22-year-old started just seven games last term but could match that already this season if he gets the nod to kick-off against Queen of the South in the Premier Sports Cup tonight.

Carter-Vickers, meanwhile, has been a commanding figure at the back for Ange Postecoglou ’s champions and made his loan switch from Spurs permanent over the summer after completing a £6million move. The US will face England, Wales and Iran and in Qatar in a group that would have included Scotland had they not slumped in the play-offs.

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