Celtic and Rangers predicted XIs as Ange and Gio face major calls ahead of blockbuster

There are few games which capture the imagination in the way Scottish football's marquee fixture does.

Celtic against Rangers need no introduction, however, the opening encounter of the 22/23 Scottish Premiership season appears a pivotal encounter for both. The champions have home advantage and have been in menacing form with five consecutive victories. A win would see them open up a five-point advantage over Gio Van Bronckhorst's men – a good place to be after six games.

But Rangers know they can shift momentum back towards Govan if they emerge victorious in Glasgow's east end. And the Europa League finalists have become specialists in earning signature results when it matters most. Their rousing run to Seville was jam-packed with major scalps, and that welcome habit continued as they outlasted PSV in Champions League qualifying to reach the group stage for the first time in 12 years.

Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou is parking any talk of Real Madrid with his full focus on their title rivals ahead of the big one on a dreich day at Parkhead. Record Sport runs the rule over how both teams could line up for Saturday's showdown.

The Parkhead faithful are rightly buoyant by the strength and depth of their squad, however, it feels as if only one position is truly up for grabs on derby day. That's not to say the likes of Moritz Jenz, Aaron Mooy and David Turnbull haven't impressed, but the fiercest argument is over Daizen Maeda and Liel Abada.

The Israel international's magical hat-trick against Dundee United was top drawer but there's a compelling case the Maeda is the better fit for the visit of Rangers. The Japanese striker is a ball of energy and if he starts on the left, it will likely be double duty. Maeda will