John Kennedy knows exactly where Celtic’s defensive problems lie.
As he reviews four goals lost in three derby matches this season he’ll watch in anguish at the carnage from set-pieces.
Throughout this season defending set-pieces has been an obvious weakness regardless of whether it has been zonal, man-to-man or some combination of both.
The goal lost to Alfredo Morelos last month is the only one that Celtic have lost since Kennedy took charge but tomorrow at Ibrox the side are likely to come under much more pressure than Livingston or Falkirk could muster.
Getting things right at the back over 90 or 120 minutes will be critical to making progress in the Scottish Cup with the Interim Manager knowing that better than anyone.
Kennedy told The Sun:
Errors have cost us in previous games against Rangers. The majority of the goals have come from set-pieces, whether it be the first or second phase.
We’re well aware of that. We controlled the games well against Rangers but at those decisive moments, we’ve had lapses in concentration.
So we want to address that and make sure that’s not the case on Sunday. Then we can concentrate on going up the other end and causing them problems.
We don’t want to create a huge issue of it, where people are afraid of what the consequences might be. You’ve just got to trust it and believe in what you’re doing. Know what your role is within that system — and try to carry it out to the best of your abilities.
Scott Bain was in goals for last month’s Derby after Vasilis Barkas played in the two previous fixtures.
Jonjoe Kenny looks certain to be at right-back with either Greg Taylor or Diego Laxalt on the left with Stephen Welsh and Kris Ajer together in central defence.