Steve Gerrard to seeking to upset his former Manager

Celtic host Rangers live on  on Sunday. Our reporter Charles Paterson previews the match – and explains why both sides are in real need of an Old Firm victory…

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The last time Rangers faced Celtic, on April 29 this year, Steven Gerrard was still contemplating taking over as manager at Ibrox. That he accepted the challenge and was not put off by the result that day – a comprehensive 5-0 win for Celtic, their biggest ever league victory in this fixture – speaks volumes for his self-belief in changing the dynamic in Glasgow.

On Sunday, Gerrard will get his first indication as to whether his Rangers team can match the Scottish champions. The subplot of him going up against his former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is intriguing enough; the bigger question is whether the first Old Firm game of the 2018-19 campaign will set the tone for a fascinating title race.Image result for Steven Gerrard

In recent seasons, this fixture has been a rivalry in name only. For Rangers, the stats make grim reading – just one win in the last twelve meetings, and that on penalties at Hampden Park; twelve goals conceded in the last three games, with only two scored; just two goals scored at Celtic Park in seven years; no league win over Celtic since 2012.Image result for Steven Gerrard

Since Brendan Rodgers’ arrival, Celtic have won by a four-goal margin on three occasions, as well as that five-goal demolition in April. Their dominance has been overwhelming, and for Rangers, utterly chastening.

However, the mood at Ibrox has changed, along with the personnel. Of those Rangers players who experienced humiliation in the spring, only captain James Tavernier and Alfredo Morelos are likely to start on Sunday.

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Gerrard has conducted a full-scale overhaul, removing those scarred by past failures. He’s added youth in Ovie Ejaria, Ryan Kent and Nikola Katic, solidity in Connor Goldson, Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield, and, perhaps crucially, experience in Allan McGregor and Kyle Lafferty.

Among those who will feature in blue on Sunday, McGregor and Lafferty are perhaps the most vital to Gerrard. The goalkeeper and striker give Rangers a winning mentality and edge that’s largely been missing since Walter Smith was at the helm. They are alone in having been to Celtic Park and emerged victorious. Those making their debut in the fixture have two battle-scarred team-mates to whom they can turn for advice.

An 11-match unbeaten run has created positive momentum, as Rangers have established an identity in the style of their manager. Six clean sheets point to a team that’s become stingy, and don’t look like being bullied in a battle. Gerrard would perhaps look at Sunday’s 3-3 draw with Motherwell as an aberration rather than a sign of weaknesses at the back, though it is clear improvement is still required. In every department, Rangers look stronger than last seasonImage result for RangersAnother reason for Rangers to be optimistic is the sluggishness of Celtic. The champions have won two of their opening three league games, but they’ve been nowhere near their best. A lack of fluency was clear to see in Sunday’s win over Hamilton, and Rodgers rightly pointed out his team haven’t yet reached their peak.

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