Three things Pedro Caixinha must do if Rangers are to have a chance of beating Celtic

Rangers host Celtic on Saturday knowing that they face a massive task if they’re to come out of the match with all three points. With the Hoops still undefeated in Scottish football since Brendan Rodgers came to the club, they’ve never visited Ibrox with as much expectation to really punish the Light Blues.

Pedro Caixinha’s task when he came into the club was to the close the gap on Celtic and after last season’s 5-1 drubbing in Govan, he needs to show that his team has what it takes to at least compete against their city rivals, even if they don’t come away with the win.

That, coupled with the fact they’ve been inconsistent in the league this season anyway, means he’s under significant pressure and he simply must get his team selection and tactics right for Saturday’s fixture. He has defensive headaches with Bruno Alves and Lee Wallace ruled out and must also find the right blend in the final third.

These are the three things the Portuguese must do if his side are to have any hope of competing with Celtic…

Line-up a more pragmatic defence

If Rangers go into the game playing with their usual style of attacking full-backs and direct wingers then they’re opening themselves up to everything that Celtic can throw at them. The Hoops’ strengths lie in the flanks with the likes of Scott Sinclair and James Forrest in lethal form so far this season, between them they’ve already scored 16 goals in all competitions.

Pedro Caixinha needs to ensure they deal with the defensive job ahead of them before they can think about potentially threatening their visitors and that means keeping the likes of James Tavernier and Declan John, if he starts, under control. Both have shown great ability getting themselves forward to support teammates in the final third, but their main duties on Saturday are to deal with the opponents.

Get too far forward or out of position, as Tavernier has shown a tendency to do, and it stretches Rangers’ midfield. Ryan Jack will have one of the toughest shifts in football if he’s asked to cover the full-back areas in absence of the wide defenders, and he’s needed in the middle of the park to counteract the likes of Tom Rogic and Stuart Armstrong.

A pragmatic defence is a must, especially with Bruno Alves missing. Whether it’s a four man defence or a back three with two wing-backs, they must be given strict instructions not to be too ambitious, at least in the early stages.

Start Kenny Miller

Kenny Miller is Rangers’ talisman in these fixtures, there’s no doubt about it. While hasn’t shown his best form this season, he is getting on a bit after all, you simply cannot count out the former Scotland international when Celtic come calling. He showed in the Hogmanay fixture at the end of 2016 he still has what it takes to get at Celtic, netting in that one before the Hoops made their comeback. He finds space in the final third better than almost anyone for the Light Blues and you wouldn’t bet against him getting some sort of chance on Saturday.

The alternative is perhaps playing Carlos Pena or Eduardo Herrera as support for Alfredo Morelos. The Colombian must play but neither Pena or Herrera have shown they’re quite ready for a massive derby day, despite their goals mid-week in the Scottish League Cup match.

Rangers need to go into this one with committed players who know what this one is all about and Miller offers that, alongside his vast experience of high-profile matches in Scotland.

Allow Rangers to take the gloves off

Pedro Caixinha must also not be afraid to let his players show an aggression this time around. In his two matches in charge of the Ibrox side against Celtic, his team were far too passive and didn’t even look interested in getting physically close to their Celtic opponents, never mind show the desire to win the ball from them or come out victorious in 50/50 personal battles.

They can’t rush in with naivety, it is a derby after all, but letting the Hoops know they’re in a game is the only way that the Gers can knock them off their flowing attacking football and make this one a battle.

That’s what Graeme Murty managed to do in March’s 1-1 draw at Celtic Park and it’s what Caixinha must inspire in his side on Saturday.