Just 99 days on from their pulsating Scottish Cup final clash at Hampden Park last season, Celtic and Rangers face off once again in the Old Firm derby of the Scottish Premiership campaign this Sunday.
Both sides enter the game unbeaten in the league, though it is Celtic that hold the advantage over their neighbours, with the Hoops enjoying a 100 per cent record in the Scottish top flight so far. A win for Rangers would see them leapfrog their fierce rivals though with the Gers just two points behind.
Fears about the fitness of Cameron Carter-Vickers have been allayed ahead of kick-off, with Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers confirming the player is “fine”, while £11million record signing Arne Engels could make his Hoops debut. Rodgers’ has plenty selection dilemmas though, with both Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah battling to start the game, while Paul Bernardo will be aiming to keep his place in Hoops engine room.
As for Rangers, Ridvan Yilmaz is set to miss out with a thigh injury, though Robin Propper could be available again after missing last weekend’s 6-0 win over Ross County. Could Rabbi Matondo come back into the starting XI after last week’s outstanding performance - or will Clement opt for Ross McCausland on the right-wing?
The Scotsman predicts Celtic and Rangers’ starting XI for this weekend’s game, with both bosses facing several selection dilemmas.
5. CB: Cameron Carter-Vickers - Celtic
Hoops fans were concerned when the big American was missing from training, though Brendan Rodgers has allayed fears by confirming he was just enjoying a "wee recovery", adding that Carter-Vickers had "worked hard all week" and was "fine". | SNS Group Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
6. CB: Robin Propper - Rangers
The summer signing from FC Twente is fit to return to the Rangers starting XI and will replace Leon Balogun in defence. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
7. CB: Liam Scales - Celtic
Has enjoyed a bright start to the campaign and will play alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers despite the arrival of Auston Trusty. | SNS Group
8. CB: John Souttar - Rangers
Souttar has been a first choice since the arrival of Philippe Clement and is expected to continue in the centre of defence alongside Robin Propper. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images