As the two teams get ready for what may be the final Scottish title match, Chris Sutton told BT Sport’s Scottish Football Extra that he believes Ange Postecoglou will bench Celtic midfielder Aaron Mooy against Rangers at Ibrox on Monday.
Rangers really need to win to maintain their title ambitions because Celtic lead the Premiership by nine points. At the very least, avoid losing because Rangers would be severely behind by 12 points. Celtic might accept a tie.
Rangers are getting better, though, and players are coming back from injuries. The Gers have won four straight games since Michael Beale joined the team, the most recent being a convincing 3-0 triumph over Motherwell. consecutively two clean sheets.
Rangers will have a great opportunity because the game will be played at Ibrox, but Celtic is the favourite due to their 18 victories in their last 19 league games. In place of Mooy, Reo Hatate, according to Sutton, will switch from right-back to midfield.
“The midfield area is so interesting. Hatate is the best midfielder in the country, in my opinion. I suspect he will step up into midfield and two-goal Aaron Mooy, who has started to grow in a Celtic jersey – I think he might be benched.”
Although it is harsh on Mooy—who, as Sutton notes, has been superb since his brace against Hibernian—it is likely the best course of action. Even though Matt O’Riley has eight assists in 19 league appearances, there may be room for Celtic to dismiss him.
He is the midfield’s creative force, Hatate is the powerhouse, and Callum McGregor is the first name on the roster. It is challenging for Mooy to get in, however he has recently done so because Hatate has been lining up on the right side of defence.
However, one of those will undoubtedly start given that Josip Juranovic and Alistair Johnston are available for selection. Hatate switches to midfield, with Mooy being the obvious exclusion for the match on Monday at Ibrox.
