Rangers vs Celtic: Old Firm key battles analysed ahead of Celtic Park clash
Which players will be key in Sunday's Old Firm at Ibrox?; Rangers host Celtic in the first Scottish Premiership meeting of the season; watch it live on Sky Sports Football from 11am on Sunday, kick-off at 12pm
By Adam Kennedy, WhoScored.com
Friday 1 September 2023 16:14, UK
One point separates Rangers and Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, so where could Saturday's Old Firm clash be won or lost?
Michael Beale's side host their rivals knowing defeat would be a dent to their title hopes, even at this early stage of the season.
The fans will be demanding a performance after their midweek Champions League play-off disappointment away to PSV Eindhoven.
Brendan Rodgers suffered just one defeat to Rangers in the Scottish Premiership during his last spell in charge, but it has been a disappointing few weeks for Celtic with an early Viaplay Cup exit and a goalless draw against St Johnstone.
WhoScored.com picked out four potential key head-to-heads that could well determine who has bragging rights this weekend.
Jack Butland vs Joe Hart
When Allan McGregor left Rangers in the summer, there was no doubt that filling his gloves would prove a tricky task for the next Gers goalkeeper. However, you could argue that Jack Butland has perhaps been the most impressive of Michael Beale's summer signings so far.
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Kilmarnock's winning goal on the opening day is the only league goal that the former England goalkeeper has conceded so far. The keeper — and defence in front of him — duly responded with clean sheets against Livingston at Ibrox and Ross County in Dingwall.
However, you'd suspect that the former Birmingham, Stoke and
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