Celtic-Rangers late team news: Huge calls for both in defence, surprise return, midfield conundrums, probable XIs

On the eve of the season’s second Old Firm derby, Celtic suffered a severe setback when it was reported that Cameron Carter-Vickers would be sidelined with a hamstring injury. In the core of the Celtic defense, manager Brendan Rodgers is probably going to go with Stephen Welsh and Liam Scales, though Maik Nawrocki, Gustaf Lagerbielke, and Nat Phillips are also possibilities. On the other hand, after extended absences, midfielder Reo Hatate and forward Liel Abada might return to the team. Tomoki Iwata, a midfielder, has been out of action lately due to an injury.

Following his recovery from a groin injury, Connor Goldson exercised with the Rangers on Friday. He will be evaluated prior to the trip to Parkhead. John Lundstram, a midfielder, was included in the group and might play a role. He was absent from the Christmas Eve game against Motherwell. Several players have been out with injuries recently, including Danilo, Kemar Roofe, Tom Lawrence, Ryan Jack, Borna Barisic, Ben Davies, Jose Cifuentes, and Nico Raskin. While the last two are undoubtedly still out, a few players may be available once more.

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Hart; A. Johnston, Welsh, Scales; Taylor; McGregor, O’Riley, Bernardo; Maeda, Furuhashi, Palma are the likely members of the Celtic team.
Rangers might move John Lundstram back to the center of midfield.
Rangers might move John Lundstram back to the center of midfield.
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The following is a likely Rangers lineup: McCausland, Cantwell, Sima; Dessers; Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun, Yilmaz; Lundstram, Sterling.

Officiant: Nick Walsh.

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