THERE will be no title party or guard of honour for Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday and but Neil Lennon's cranked up the heat for what on paper is a meaningless game.
The Celtic boss, who will get his usual hot reception from the Rangers support, claimed he's hated by some fans because they fear him.
To be fair there's always something at stake in these games and Steven Gerrard says he wants to put a marker down ahead of next season.
Rangers ended a five-match losing home run against their great rivals with a 1-0 win at New Year and Gerrard would love to complete a home double over his biggest rivals.
That result should have paved the way for a title challenge but Rangers faltered after the break and never got close to stopping eight in a row.
Celtic have been celebrating but Lennon will be fully focused on this game before probably resting players on the final day ahead of the Scottish Cup Final.
I can see honours being shared. The draw pays 5-2 at Ladbrokes while a score draw is 18-5 at BetVictor. I'd consider 1-1 and remember three meetings this season have produced just five goals.
Celtic have kept six clean sheets since beating Gers 2-1 and that's the only goal keeper Scott Bain has conceded in 10.
Gerrard's men have been in good form too and Allan McGregor's conceded just once since that Parkhead loss but is banned and will be replaced by Wes Foderingham who is a good back-up and has plenty of Old Firm experience.
With both defences on top consider under 2.5 goals at 10-11 with bet365.
Rangers are a best 2-1 with bet365 with Celtic 29-20 at William Hill.
Alfredo Morelos, yet to score against Celtic, is ban free but could be again on the bench after Jermain Defoe hit last week's winner against Hibs. Defoe is 19-4 at McBookie to score first.
Since Billy McNeill's death, Hoops No.5 Jozo Simunovic has netted in both games and is 14-1 at bet365 to make it a remarkable three in a row.
Kevin Clancy is the man in the middle and he's been card-happy this season, averaging 4.1 yellows a game as well as flashing eight reds.
He has handed out 14 yellows and a red in his last two games and showed 11 yellows in the Rangers v Aberdeen Scottish Cup replay.
A red tomorrow pays 5-2 at McBookie while over 62.5 booking points is just 6-5.
Recommended Bets (12 noon)
- Rangers v Celtic draw (5-2, Ladbrokes)
- Defoe to score first (19-4, BetVictor)
- Red card (5-2, McBookie)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Lennon will probably bring Griffiths on as well as he says they got a full squad fit we bit of luck Lustic and Tierney will break down again , Is Sinclair for the off Paul as I hear his house up the Kingsway is up for sale the brother in law son lives in estate both a Celtic supporters Maggies side of the family ,
Griffiths won’t be involved this season – Lennon’s already said that.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see Sinclair go but maybe he’s just buying a bigger house.
Mr Fixit I fancy Simunovic to score too. He’s so confident and will always be up for corners now after scoring two. As you have pointed out Simunovic is 14/1 to score anytime which is fairly generous. You can also get 40/1 for him first goal scorer with BlackBet which is good. Prices are 20/1 and 22/1 with most other bookies so they’ve obviously taken his recent goal contributions into consideration with their prices. I see it as a low scorer and I have a really strong feeling that Celtic are going to win 1-0. 1-0 Simunovic is 150/1 but bizarrely Simunovic first and last is 450/1. Throw in Simunovic to get booked and you’re up to 1500/1.
Recommended Bets
Simunovic First Goalscorer @ 40/1
Simunovic Anytime Goalscorer @ 14/1
Simunovic First/Last Goal @ 450/1
Simunovic First/Last and carded @ 1500/1
Good luck everyone
Fancy Rangers today @2/1 they are the form team of the 2 nearly took something from the last game with 10 men.Rangers O6 corners 11/5 WH. Rangers to win corners match 1/1. PP. Bet build 365.Gers win,O2.5 gls,O 6 Gers corners,Brown carded + Match red card.150/1.
Bain lustig hayes ajer simonivic brown McGregor rogic Johnson burke edouard. Team for tomorrow. Good enough to win
Hope Lustig is playing tho i thought he had pulled a hamstring.Kent will give him a torrid time.
I’m all over Rangers to score a pen at 9/1 (with b365).
You might think they’e used up all their pens this season (think they’ve had a record number of pens in a season), but they haven’t had any v Celtic for the last 27 OF games now.
Law of averages and all that. Today could be the day, esp with nothing at stake in terms of title or position.
Johnny Hayes to be shown a card 3/1 with 365, but 11/2 with betfair sportsbook GL All
A small ray of light on a dismal afternoon 😢