What are key questions around Old Firm title decider?

If the respective managers are to be believed, there is going to be a lot of fun had at Celtic Park on Saturday.

Brendan Rodgers and Phillipe Clement exchanged barbs in the wake of their respective weekend victories as they were inevitably asked about the impending season-defining Old Firm derby in Glasgow’s east end.

Rangers cross the city knowing this is likely their final chance to dethrone the champions this season.

And, given their April travails in Dingwall and Dundee, even a victory at the home of their great rivals may not be enough.

Rodgers holds the aces ahead of this crucial game, as he has done so often during his time as Celtic manager, with the club chasing a 12th title in 13 seasons.

They have a three-point lead, are five goals better off in the goal difference column and have scored seven more too.

So with just two games to go after this one, it’s understandable that they are heavy favourites and odds-on with bookmakers.

What does the form guide say?

Rodgers has only lost two domestic matches at Celtic Park in his two spells in charge - against Aberdeen in 2018 and Hearts last December - while his record in this fixture stands above that of messers Stein, Smith, O’Neill, Symon and Struth.

This has to be handled like a shot to nothing by Rangers and, with Celtic beginning to play with an intensity that is too hot to handle for most, it has all the ingredients for another classic.

Aiden McGeady and Stuart McCall are veterans of the fixture.

“The onus is on Rangers to go there and try and get the win,” former Celtic winger McGeady told the Scottish Football Podcast.

“I think Celtic will be calm and collected about it, they’ve been in this situation many times before over the years. It’s got all the makings of a fantastic game.”

Former Rangers midfielder McCall thinks the tag of underdogs may suit the visiting players.

“Nobody, probably, outside the dressing room including lots of Rangers supporters will expect them to go and get anything because of their current form,” he said.

“But, prior to their last couple, I think they’ve been stumbling through games.

"I don’t think they were brilliant in Dundee when they managed to nick a 2-1, the same day Rangers did at St Mirren.

“I don’t think they were brilliant against Aberdeen in the cup, it was a tight game but there’s no doubt they’ve got the key players back.

“Rangers are still in the hunt, albeit with an outside chance now.”

Where are the key areas?

Callum McGregor will likely play his 38th derby and, for McCall, stopping the Celtic captain will be crucial to Rangers’ chances of upsetting the odds.

“The middle of the park, for me, is always the key area,” he added.

“I think that in Mohammed Diomande, John Lundstram and whoever goes in there beside them are going to have to win that battle.

“If they can stop McGregor playing and win that middle of the park it’ll give them an opportunity.”

McGeady agrees that midfield is the key battleground.

“If Rangers allow McGregor to dictate the tempo the way he has done in previous fixtures I think it’ll be a very, very tough game for them," he said.

“I think James Tavernier has such an attacking threat but I always think Daizen Maeda causes problems playing against him.

“But the key area is the middle of the park. McGregor and Reo Hatate coming back in there with Matt O’Riley has coincided with a return to top form.”

And McGeady expects fellow winger James Forrest to reclaim his starting place after "outstanding" recent performances.

"Forrest, four or five weeks ago, wasn’t in the team and now you’re saying he’s probably a shoo-in to start," he added.

“When you look at their attacking threats, he’s been there for so long but he’s still one of the best that they’ve got.

“But I’ll be very surprised if come full-time on Saturday, we’re not talking about Kyogo [Furuhashi]. He has been a massive thorn in the Rangers side.”

McCall admits Celtic are stronger in most areas at the moment as they look to avoid a first derby home defeat since October 2020.

“Celtic’s front three carry more of a threat than Rangers’ front three," he said.

“The defence, with Cameron Carter-Vickers back in there, looks a little bit stronger so I think, all round they’re probably stronger.

"Rangers are going to have to defend really well, James Tavernier’s going to have to step up to the plate.”

What about the managers?

During the build-up to the match, Clement was named on the shortlist for the Scottish Football Writers’ manager of the year award with his Celtic counterpart a notable absentee.

McGeady was puzzled by Rodgers’ absence from that group.

“A strange decision,” he said.

“You’ve got other managers on there who’ve done fantastic jobs but to snub a potentially title-winning season and potentially a Scottish Cup-winning season... I just find it strange.

“I’ve always thought the Scottish Football Writers’ awards are a little bit funny. It doesn’t really reflect how the players or the fans see the season.”

McCall doesn’t necessarily think Clement’s inclusion is that polarising.

“If you go back to the game Rangers had at Ross County, if they were to have won that, they'd be sitting level going into this game and Clement’s already got a trophy.

"As much as Brendan Rodgers can go on and do a double, and he looks favourite for the league, Clement can go on and do the treble.

“There’s not a lot in it. I can see why he’s there.”

McGeady & McCall were speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, which is available on BBC Sounds on Friday