This is the big one. A game that could be season-defining and it's coming on only the second of January. 

Celtic travel to Ibrox nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Ange Postecoglou's men are in fine form after coming off an impressive 4-0 win away to Hibs.

The Hoops go into this match knowing a victory would effectively allow them to put one hand on the league trophy.

After four wins from four since the return from the winter break, the Australian has a few decisions to make in terms of team selection.

Who will the manager pick? Our writers have their say...

Sean Martin

This is when the theory that there is no 'best XI' is put to the test.

For me, there is only a couple of questions that need answered. 1) Will a right-back start at right-back? and 2) If so, who misses out in midfield?

I think given Josip Juranovic has been entrusted with the spot whenever a big game has rolled around for which he has been available - including his Ibrox debut mere days after joining - that means he gets the nod again here. The rest of the defence stays as is.

Aaron Mooy has made things exceedingly difficult by playing well against St Johnstone and then having a blinder at Easter Road - but I don't think there is any chance that Matt O'Riley is sacrificed for his inclusion. The Dane just brings far too much to the team and the way it plays on and off the ball. Hatate stays put too.

Further forward, I once said Daizen Maeda is custom-built for derby day and his top-class display against Hibs has surely earned him his starting berth in this one. Likewise, Kyogo Furuhashi is scoring a goal every 79.8 minutes in the league so there's little chance he is anywhere but leading the line come 12.30pm Sunday.

Jota, Liel Abada, Sead Haksabanovic and James Forrest can all lay claim to that last spot. The Israeli has three goals and an assist in 260 derby minutes and Haksbanovic is player of the month while veteran Forrest is no stranger to a derby clincher himself. How can you leave out the most talented player in Scottish football though? You can't, I'm betting.

Sean's team: Hart; Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; McGregor, Hatate, O'Riley; Jota, Kyogo, Maeda

Tony Haggerty

There is no selection dilemma for Postecoglou - only a plethora of options. 

Joe Hart will remain in between the sticks and Juranovic will return at right-back with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt in central defence and Greg Taylor on the left. 

In midfield, Mooy's two-goal salvo against Hibs at Easter Road really ought to have made him a certain starter for Ibrox. However, Postecoglou will disappoint his compatriot and revert to the tried and tested midfield of Callum McGregor, O'Riley and Hatate. There is flair, creativity as well as goals in that triumvirate which has so far not let him down in any big crunch game domestically. 

Up front, Maeda will start on the left and will be asked to put in the kind of selfless shift that the manager loves and craves on derby day. Kyogo will lead the line once again as he goes in search of his first goal against the Light Blues; this would be an ideal time for the talisman to break his Glasgow Derby scoring duck.

That leaves the right-wing berth up for grabs and - while Liel Abada, James Forrest and Sead Haksabanovic all have solid claims for that position - it has to be Jota. The Portuguese wide man has blown hot and cold - mainly cold - since the return after the break for the World Cup finals but Ibrox is Jota's stage and he could well turn out to be the crucial difference between the sides on the day. Cue another iconic goal celebration?

Tony's team: Hart; Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; McGregor, Hatate, O'Riley; Jota, Kyogo, Maeda

Celtic Way:

Aidan Macdonald

Since the start of the season the Hoops boss has rotated the team quite a lot. And for the trip to Ibrox he is likely to make a few changes from the 4-0 win against Hibernian. 

Hart will remain between the sticks and in front of him Juranovic will replace Hatate at right-back for his first post-World Cup Celtic appearance. The Croatian will start in an attempt from Postecoglou to deal with the pace of Ryan Kent. Carter-Vickers, Starfelt and Taylor will retain their places in the back four.

In the middle of the park McGregor will once again anchor the midfield from the number six position. Mooy will keep his place in midfield and O'Riley will drop out for Hatate to return to his natural position. The Australian's performance in the capital merits him a start in the derby and the Japan international's legs will be favoured to the former Fulham man in the eight role.

In terms of the front three Jota will replace Abada due to the Israeli having an underwhelming game against the Hibees. The Portuguese winger is a player for the big occasion and he will start on the right wing. Kyogo will remain through the middle and Maeda will again keep his place on the left-hand side.

Aidan's team: Hart; Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; McGregor, Mooy, Hatate; Jota, Kyogo, Maeda

Remember to check The Celtic Way on matchdays for detailed player ratings & post-match analysis