Kris Boyd believes that Neil Lennon will be backing a loser if he sticks with Celtic’s midfield diamond at Ibrox tomorrow.
The hoops have rattled off three consecutive wins in the SPFL with Ismaila Soro taking the anchor role, David Turnbull supporting two strikers with Ryan Christie and Callum McGregor in more traditional roles.
Neil Lennon has to decide whether to stick with that formation or bring back Scott Brown to help stifle the home midfield which will be without Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield.
After losing back-to-back derbies at Celtic Park in 2020 Lennon needs to come up with something different to provide the win needed to keep Celtic’s title hopes alive in 2021.
Casting his mind over a Lennon using the midfield diamond at Ibrox, Boyd tells Sun readers:
He’s on to a loser if he thinks it will work at Ibrox tomorrow. Indeed, if he opts for a midfield diamond, I reckon Rangers will plunder them down the flanks.
You could argue that Gers’ last three performances haven’t been great even though they won the games. You could also argue Celtic’s last three displays have been their best.
But this is the acid test and the way Lennon sets up his team will be fascinating. Last January, he changed to a 3-5-2 set-up which swept Celtic to the title.
Now he’s changed to this diamond system which has served them well over the festive period: Ismaila Soro protecting the centre-backs, David Turnbull supporting the strikers, Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie tucked in narrow on either side.
It’s helped them to wins over Ross County, Hamilton and Dundee United since the Scottish Cup final but I’m just not so sure it will be suited to Ibrox. Of course, Lennon could stick with it and appease some of their grumbling fans.
Since retiring from playing football in 2018 Boyd has resisted a career in coaching to concentrate on his media work, on Saturday he’ll be part of the Sky Sports coverage from Ibrox. Neil Lennon’s side won’t be known until 11.15am.