02 Jan 2026 12:20:27
Whats the thoughts in leaving Tav out for old firm and playing Sterling at RB, as think Tav will struggle with the pace of Celtic, also if Gassama plays on the right then there is no defensive cover as does not track back.
02 Jan 2026 12:25:38
Hendo I certainly would almost always advocate playing someone in front of Tavernier now.
I don't think Celtic look as dangerous, they do seem almost as ponderous as we did under Martin.
If Aaron's is fit I would play a Aaron's, Sterling, Fernandez and Meghoma.
02 Jan 2026 12:36:18
My back four Hendo, Sterling Souttar Fernandez Meghoma.
02 Jan 2026 12:38:46
Been thinking about this and my first thought was we start as a five, but to get at their five we need to be a bit bolder, so can see Sterling coming in at right back if we go as a back four.
Your right though and if we do then cover has to be good in front, I'm more concerned with the cover on left as Megholma is targeted cause he's not great positionally.
That points to another reason why we could start as a five cause the back four looks exposed.
02 Jan 2026 12:41:12
100% I would but I can't see him doing it.
02 Jan 2026 12:42:53
Yeah I'm thinking myself now Sterling soapy Fernandes n Meghoma is out best back 4.
02 Jan 2026 12:48:31
Sterling Souttar Fernandez Meghoma is our strongest back 4 if it's a 3 then I expect tav will start…it's a bit negative for me if we set up like we did in cup semi…. got to get after them.
02 Jan 2026 12:53:18
Aphelion you really don't like Souttar mate, our best cb.
02 Jan 2026 13:04:07
Play best available, if that exclude Tav so be it.
02 Jan 2026 13:04:11
My opinion is we looked more comfortable with Sterling there than Souttar.
Please do not turn this into a like/dislike debate.
Your opinion is Souttar is our best CB mine is he is not.
02 Jan 2026 13:12:46
Did Souttar not have a good game against St Mirren then Aphelion? If not, we must have watched a different game then mate.
02 Jan 2026 13:32:09
Not sure what Rohl will do to counteract the chaos ball system of Nancy. He tends to play one striker and two No 10s so a back 3 could end up with only one man to mark and two guys floating in the space between them and the midfield, starting with Dujon in that back three but stepping into midfield could work.
If we do that we need both full backs to be able to attack so Tav gets the nod over Aarons.
02 Jan 2026 13:40:16
For me, Tav is finished.
Has been for a while now.
02 Jan 2026 13:53:08
I'm with both you guys My star and Stevie G ?
back 4 of Sterling, Souttar, Fernandez, Meghoma
Souttar has to start for me Aphelion ?.
02 Jan 2026 13:58:38
If Tav starts then he MUST have cover as he is a liability now. probably Aarons if Gassama is our right winger as he is our main guy to get the ball to when in attack mode. so many choices which is a good thing.
02 Jan 2026 14:00:50
I think we'll be stronger have Tav's experience in the starting 11 tomorrow. I also think we'll play 5 at the back tomorrow.
02 Jan 2026 14:06:12
Again my star you are attempting to put words in my mouth.
I did not say he did not have a good game.
I have given my opinion why does it have to be the same as yours.
You reacted the same way with Barron because people did not think he was the next xavi.
02 Jan 2026 14:06:38
SWS that is your opinion you are entitled to it.
02 Jan 2026 14:14:06
Heres a positive look at how a Rangers 4-3-3 Beats Celtic
Butland
Sterling – Souttar – Fernández – Meghoma
Barron – Raskin
Aasgaard
Moore – Chermiti – Gassama
Celtic can't handle pressure, physicality, or transitions this team hits all three.
Press their centre-backs:
Moore and Gassama jump the CBs, Chermiti pins them. They panic every time they're pressed.
Shut down McGregor:
Aasgaard sits on him, Barron and Raskin clean up the scraps. Once he's out the game, Celtic have nothing.
Exploit the space behind their full-backs: Moore and Gassama run the channels, Sterling and Meghoma step in behind them.
Win the second balls: Barron and Raskin dominate the middle, Celtic fold when the game gets physical.
Hit them in transition: They can't defend pace or chaos. This front three thrives on it.
Summary
Press them, bully them, run at them. This XI exposes every Celtic weakness slow build-up, soft centre-backs, wide-open full-backs, and a midfield that collapses under pressure.
Or
Why a 5‑3‑2 Rangers Shape Batters Celtic
Butland
Tav – Sterling – Souttar – Fernandez – Meghoma
Barron – Raskin – Aasgaard
Gassama – Chermiti
This system hits every Celtic weakness at once.
Wing‑backs kill them: Tav and Meghoma attack the space behind their full-backs all game. Celtic can't defend it.
Back three dominates: Their striker gets swallowed by Sterling–Souttar–Fernandez. No out-ball, no hold-up, nothing.
Midfield suffocation: Aasgaard sits on McGregor, Barron and Raskin win every second ball. Celtic can't build.
Transitions destroy them: Gassama's pace + Chermiti's physicality = chaos. Their centre-backs hate this.
Forced wide, no ideas: Celtic end up crossing aimlessly into a back five that eats it up.
Summary:
5‑3‑2 let's Rangers bully Celtic physically, outrun them in transition, and suffocate their build-up. Tav/Meghoma exploit the full-back gaps, Aasgaard kills McGregor, and the front two punish every turnover.
Could also be a variation on both be it start or finish on but ultimately if we start fast and keep the press on, the home crowd will turn.
Celtic get restless when they can't play through the middle, and we've shown recently we've got set‑plays in us as well. This comes at a perfect time keep the intensity, use the form we're in, and there's absolutely no reason we can't walk out of there with a big three points.
I sense a cheeky wee penalty also to end the long wait 3 points and up the road ?.
02 Jan 2026 14:23:38
Cool Aphelion, let's see who Rohl has at cb Tommorow ?.
02 Jan 2026 14:34:43
Thought Soapy had a great game against St Mirren, he starts every day of the week as for Aaron's a big NO for me.
02 Jan 2026 14:53:55
Again with the quite childish answer. Röhl will pick who he feels is his best team to win.
I am entitled to have opinions on that team.
I do not have to agree just because Röhl picks the team.
You and others have had plenty to say regarding Djiga ect who Röhl picked.
The forum is about opinions and we are entitled to have them.
02 Jan 2026 15:39:11
BTW I think this discussion is exactly the one which was covered on the discussion page earlier. people have different opinions and very rarely change those so no point in going back and forward telling the other they are wrong. just accept it and move on. I know this is pot calling kettle black but thought I would turnover a new leaf for at least 1 day in 2026?.
on line up I hope and know that Rohl will pick whichever team he thinks will have the best chance of winning tomorrow. Being left out doesn't mean you are a bad player.
02 Jan 2026 15:46:26
Aphe best ignore him as he is a man child. Not once did you say Souttar didn't have a good game and he is trying to put words in your mouth. He is like a dog with a bone.
Souttar had a great game against st Mirren in my opinion.
Also I think he is the best CH we have right now but that's nothing to shout about because we need much better than him.
We do have the joint best defence in the league what is worrying we had the worst striker force in the top 6.
02 Jan 2026 16:16:44
Aphelion how dare you say such things, I mean the cheek of you to think Souttar is not our best CB and that Barron is not a world class midfielder and the next Xavi!
This is sarcasm btw as it doesn't always seem to translate in the written word.
Angus I actually agree with you, he will pick the best team that HE feels has the best possible chance of getting a result.
02 Jan 2026 16:33:55
Jason, I'm in agreement with most of what you say except the part we'll get a penalty ??.
02 Jan 2026 17:11:50
Hearing it's Clancy on VAR as well, and let's be honest, we're due one.
Wouldn't mind seeing the odds on it… might even be worth a wee punt.
He owes us a few by now.