Opinion: Set pieces will be key to Celtic chances of winning derby

Celtic will have to improve on defending set pieces if the Hoops are to defeat Rangers tonight and go top of the Premiership table.

There is no doubt that the Bhoys have improved when it comes to defending this season, as it stands the team has the best defensive record in the Premiership, conceding 13 goals compared to the 18 that Rangers have conceded.

However, in at least two recent Glasgow derbies, Celtic have dominated much of the game but lost by one goal conceded from a set piece. It happened last January when the Hoops lost at Ibrox after dominating the game, and it happened in the first meeting between the sides this season too.

 Ange Postecoglou’s side performed well for large parts of the first derby meeting of the season, but poor defending allowed Filip Helander to score the only goal of the game.

You have to imagine that the Hoops boss and the rest of the Celtic coaching staff will be working hard to ensure that Celtic firstly don’t concede many set pieces, and secondly defend the ones that are conceded better than the Hoops have in the recent past against Rangers.

The game could well come down to fine margins, and the Hoops boss will need to ensure that the side does not make any mistakes when it comes to defending set pieces.

Of course, there is only so much that the Celtic boss can do. When the players get out on the pitch then it is up to them to perform. 

However, Celtic know the threat that Rangers can pose from set pieces. It will be disappointing if the Hoops have not worked on how to improve defending that specific aspect of the game.

The Celtic players should be proud of the team’s defensive record this season. It has been a pleasant surprise that a defence that came together at the end of the