THE OLD adage that the formbook goes out the window when it comes to derbies between Celtic and Rangers is not entirely true.

A flick through the history books will throw up the odd aberration but, by and large, it is very much the team with the wind at their backs that tends to prevail in the fixture.

As such Celtic will head to Ibrox this Sunday in fairly confident mode. Since the turn of the year the Hoops have very much been the form team in the league and with the manner of the 3-0 win at Parkhead in February still fresh in the mind, there is no psychological element to concern Ange Postecoglou’s side who had struggled over Rangers in recent seasons.

Granted, they need to go back a few years for the last win at Ibrox – September 2019 delivered a 2-0 win - but it is difficult to think of a team in better shape ahead of the journey in recent seasons.

There remains a concern over the fitness of Tom Rogic with the Australian midfielder bearing the brunt of a hefty tackle in the Ross County game just before the break for international football. He and Daizen Maeda missed the game between their respective countries and, while Postecoglou is notoriously unforthcoming about injuries and time frames, the expectation is that Maeda would be fit to play.

Rogic may be more dubious while the recent re-emergence of Kyogo Furuhashi onto the Lennxtown pitches has prompted some excited speculation that he could make his return. It would seem unlikely that the Japanese striker would start the game given the three months that he has been out.

Only back in the side when his hamstring pinged on Boxing Day, the chances are that a place on the bench would be the most optimistic ambition. Even that would be well received by Celtic given the manner in which he energises and lifts the side.

But, assuming there are no further injuries and all return from international duty unscathed, there are decisions to be made all over the pitch for Postecoglou when it comes to deciding just what his strongest starting XI is.

A draw would suit Celtic in terms of how the league is poised but few will labour under a misapprehension that Postecoglou will play for one.

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Indeed, the Greek-Australian has already insisted that he wants his side to go for the jugular at Ibrox which is no real surprise. It is the way he plays but, on top of that, the suspicion is that three points on Sunday would put Celtic very firmly in the driving seat for the title. Winning would also snowball perfectly for the Parkhead side to go into the semi-final at Hampden on Easter Sunday.

In terms of who to start, however, the backline pretty much takes care of itself. Josip Juranovic shone in the February game against Rangers and much will be expected of him again in an attacking sense.

But it is in the middle of the park where there is a real conundrum, particularly if Rogic is fit. Reo Hatate spoke to journalists in Japan about the ‘difficulties’ he has had adjusting to Scottish football but to the naked eye it has been a fairly seamless introduction for the midfielder.

The same could be said for Matt O’Riley while Callum McGregor, who is still donning the mark he wore for the first time against Rangers in February, is first name on the teamsheet.

Ahead of them, Giorgos Giakoumakis is a man in form while Jota, James Forrest, Liel Abada and Maeda will all fight it out for the remaining wide roles. It is a delicious dilemma for Postecoglou to have.