Opinion: Celtic should approach derby in same way as last encounter

There will no doubt be plenty of discussion and debate about how Celtic should approach the Glasgow derby against Rangers on the 3rd of April, which is the Hoops’ next league game.

Going into the game, it has to be remembered that the Hoops do a three point lead over their title rivals, so some might not think that a draw in the game would be the worst result, as the Bhoys would still hold a title advantage with six games to go.

It is unlikely that Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou will think like that though, as he constantly sets his side up to win games, and that shouldn’t change with the trip to Ibrox, especially when you consider how dominant Celtic were in the last fixture between the teams at Celtic Park last month.

The Hoops has the game won by half-time, as the team’s high intensity approach constantly had Rangers on the back foot.

Celtic should adapt the same approach for the game at Ibrox. The current Celtic side aren’t set up to play defensively, or on the counter attack. The Hoops should approach the game like any other league game.

The game will likely be more difficult than most other league games, as Rangers do have a good record at Ibrox, they have not lost a game there since the 2019-20 season.

However, Celtic should approach the game with plenty of confidence. Not only are the Bhoys on a 31-game unbeaten run domestically, but the Hoops also won the last derby so comfortably that the manager seems to have found a game plan that works against the Ibrox side.

It it not often that Celtic are 3-0 up at half-time in a derby, but that is what happened in February, and the Hoops haven’t looked back since, and have in fact increased the team’s lead at the top of the table since that game took place.

A win for Celtic