Rangers v Celtic Prediction – Neil Lennon On Scottish Cup Semi-Final

on April 27, 2023 at 5:13 pm

In this post we have a Rangers v Celtic prediction for you from Neil Lennon ahead of the Scottish Cup semi-final this Sunday.

Lennon is of course highly respected for his time in Celtic Park as both a player and as a manager. During his managerial career with Celtic he guided the squad to four Scottish Cups which makes his analysis of this Sunday’s Old Firm derby all the more interesting reading.

You can find all of Lennon’s thoughts on how the latest edition of Glasgow’s iconic derby will play out, where the game will be won and lost and much more below!

Rangers v Celtic Prediction – Scottish Cup Semi-Final

These games are always difficult to predict. I think Celtic are on the ascendancy.

Rangers will be damaged after the weekend defeat against Aberdeen and all the pressure will be on them.

There’s pressure on Celtic to perform for the fans, there’s a cup up for grabs and there’s a treble at stake, but that’s a nice pressure to have. All the negative pressure is with Rangers.

This is Michael’s biggest game now and he has to find a way of lifting his players from last weekend. He has to instil some belief into them and will try to win a semi-final.

Celtic have the mental edge at the minute there’s no question of that. Celtic didn’t play so well in their last game and they still managed to score three goals and win the game. So, you know, I’m never overconfident going into these games, but Celtic are clear favourites for this one.

Where Will Rangers v Celtic Be Won And Lost?

Individual mistakes cost Rangers the win against Aberdeen. Rangers are not scoring enough goals at the minute. The difference between Rangers and Celtic is that when Rangers go one goal down, they don’t look like they will come back into the game whereas Celtic do.

Aberdeen saw the game out comfortably and that’s something Michael has to correct quickly. The midfield is a huge department in these games, but with the form of Kyogo Furuhashi, who has five goals already against Rangers this season, Rangers will be desperate to stop him.

We’ve got so many attacking options from wide areas in the midfield or on the wing, there’s just so many different options for Celtic and Rangers.

Rangers have to stop Celtic getting into any kind of rhythm. They’re not at Celtic’s level as a football team, so they have to find a different way of winning.

Connor Goldson is due to return to the Rangers, how would that boost the squad?

Connor Goldson’s return is a big plus for Rangers. Connor has been a pretty consistent player for Rangers over the years and he brings that experience. He’s a good centre half and that’s exactly what Rangers need. If he is fit and ready to play, then he must play. He brings the physicality back into the team and Rangers have been having problems in that position over the last few games, there’s no question about it.

Bad Rangers Defending or Great Attacking Play From Celtic

Rangers have conceded 11 goals to Celtic in the last four derbies. Is This Poor Defending From Rangers or Great Attacking Play From Celtic?

In Rangers’ last game against Aberdeen, it was certainly poor defending. The two goals that were conceded, especially the second and the third, were awful from them. Those are individual mistakes that you can’t make at any level, never mind in a high-stakes derby. However, Celtic do carry an unbelievable goal threat and Rangers need to take that away from them.

Rangers are also not scoring enough goals themselves. James Tavernier has fantastic output for a right back. Rangers need to get more from the likes of Todd Cantwell, Fashion Sakala and the Alfredo Morelos’ of this world. Even John Lundstram in midfield. There has to be more variation on how Rangers score goals.

Psychological Damage Of Aberdeen Loss On Rangers

The Aberdeen defeat will be very damaging going into Saturday’s game. The fallout from any defeat in Glasgow lasts for a few days and there’s a lot of analysis, a lot of criticism, a lot of singling out, a lot of blame.

Michael Beale will have until Saturday to get the team right and block out all the noise. This is the biggest game of the season and there is no coming back from this, they have to win it. Sometimes you’ll find inspiration in desperation.

From a Celtic point of view, you know, they won’t be taking anything for granted either.

The mentality of this team going into these games has been fantastic. They never look flustered and they never panic. Even when the opposition score, they come back for more. It would be a big shot in the arm for Rangers if they won this game.

But again, the flip side of that is, it would be a devastatingly psychological blow for the remainder of the season.

If Celtic win they’re more or less guaranteed a treble and that will be thoroughly deserved.

In a recent post we counted down the Top 5 Most Controversial Old Firm Games of All-Time.

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