Vastly improved Celtic return to Ibrox

When we lost 1-0 at Ibrox earlier in the season play was focussed on Odsonne Edouard until he was replaced by Ismaila Soro (yes, really) and Kyogo moved into the central position for the final 23 minutes.  Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota had yet to join the club, we didn’t have a fit left back and two of the starting line-up knew they were on their last outing in green and white hoops.

Despite this, and playing before an exclusively home crowd, Celtic enjoyed 66% possession and Edouard missed a chance that he hoped Crystal Palace did not see.

Only four of those who started for Celtic are likely to do so again on Sunday: Hart, Starfelt, Juranovic and McGregor.  Beyond those who start, we have options on the bench who can change the game if necessary.  Last time, as well as Soro, Ange Postecoglou brought on Tom Rogic, who remains in contention, and Adam Montgomery.  Resources were chronically weak by comparison.

We will bring a new and vastly improved team to Ibrox, one that has overcome the points deficit we left the ground carrying in August and can effectively secure the second trophy of the season on Sunday.

None of this is conjecture.  Whatever the merits of Celtic as they dominated possession and lost in August, the scale of transformation since is beyond any of the hopes we had back then.  Recent form does not guarantee results, but we can draw confidence from it ahead of Sunday.