Rangers know that three points are essential when they host Celtic in Sunday’s Old Firm derby at Ibrox, but manager Danny Rohl has revealed doubts over the availability of two key players following a training ground update.
Both Rangers and Celtic dropped points last weekend, offering a huge boost to league leaders Hearts. The Light Blues drew 2-2 with Livingston, squandering the momentum from their 4-2 win over Derek McInnes’ side the previous week. Rangers now sit four points behind Hearts in the Scottish Premiership title race—a gap that could stretch to seven if the Jambos beat Aberdeen and Martin O’Neill’s Celtic claim a victory at Ibrox.
Rohl confirmed that Ryan Naderi and Dujon Sterling are still being assessed ahead of the clash. Naderi came off the bench in last weekend’s draw at Livingston, while Sterling didn’t feature in the squad. Both players have been training this week, but it remains unclear if they will be fit enough to make the squad for the first of two Old Firm derbies in quick succession.
“Both are training; if it’s enough to be in the squad, I have to decide tomorrow,” Rohl said in his pre-match press conference. “Today I can’t say if they’re in or out. I need to see their reaction to the session.”
In Sterling’s absence against Livingston, Rangers’ back four featured Tuur Rommens, John Souttar, Emmanuel Fernandez, and captain James Tavernier. Rohl is expected to maintain that defensive setup, relying on Tavernier and Souttar’s Old Firm experience to guide the less experienced Fernandez and Rommens.
Up front, Youssef Chermiti continues to impress, meaning there is no need to rush Naderi back. Since joining from Hansa Rostock in January, Naderi has contributed two goals and two assists in five appearances for the Light Blues.
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