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Rangers-Celtic: Finally, Another Old Firm Derby

Senior Writer Written on March 27, 2008

Rangers meet Celtic this weekend almost 3 months after their scheduled 2nd of January clash.

Funnily enough that postponed match has yet to be played and Rangers are due to meet Celtic 3 times in the last 10 games!

We all remember the tragic circumstances of Boxing Day 2007, when Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell passed away after collapsing during an SPL fixture. Gone but not forgotten, the former Celtic hero will be remembered fondly before this titanic battle.

I'd like to send a shout out to my girlfriend who also suffered a tragic Boxing Day, my heart is with you.

In the weeks and months that followed that sad sad week, the weather has played havoc with the SPL fixture list. Rangers have been forced to play catch up and the fact that the Old Firm meet again at Ibrox before any Parkhead clash, says it all really.

Since the turn of the year, Celtic have slipped behind Rangers in the title race. Both teams have had tough games in Europe with Celtic tumbling out of the UEFA Champions League to the mighty Barcelona. Rangers push on and will meet Sporting Lisbon in the Quarter Finals of the UEFA Cup.

Rangers recently lifted the CIS Insurance Cup with a penalty shoot out victory over Dundee United. Celtic though have struggled and just last week were knocked out of the Scottish Cup at home to Aberdeen.

Rangers with one cup in the trophy room are in the hunt for a domestic treble. With Celtic out the Scottish Cup and Rangers top of the league it's looking more and more like a great Rangers season.

Celtic are a quality side however and are more than capable of turning the tables on Rangers. Goalkeeper Arthur Boruc has announced he is quite willing to leave the Glasgow giants this summer but his timing is a bit off ahead of such a crucial run in.

In the one and only clash of the Old Firm this season, Rangers swept to a 3-0 win at Ibrox. Nacho Novo scored twice with Captain Barry Ferguson also getting on the scoresheet.

This time round a win for Rangers would extend their lead at the top but with two trips away to Celtic coming up, the title won't be decided at Ibrox on Saturday.

With both teams virtually at full strength, only the better side will win this one and as always, it will be one hell of a match.

There's nothing else quite like an Old Firm Derby!

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written on March 27, 2008 Sports

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