It is time for the first Glasgow Derby of the season, as Celtic take on Rangers at Celtic Park this Sunday in the Scottish Premiership.

Brendan Rodgers will once again lock horns with Philippe Clement, as the champions look to create an early five-point lead at the table’s summit between themselves and their great rivals.

In last season’s encounters, Celtic came out on top three times out of four, including wins at Ibrox, Celtic Park and most famously Hampden back in May. Clement has yet to defeat Celtic in three attempts – a wrong he will be looking to right when his team travel to the east end of Scotland’s biggest city.

With all of that being said, what Celtic team will Rodgers elect to start against Rangers on Sunday? The Celtic Way’s Ryan McGinlay and Tony Haggerty each have their say…

Ryan McGinlay

Is it just me, or has this Glasgow Derby had the least build-up of any Celtic-Rangers match in recent memory?

This will have changed in the past few hours with the transfer window shutting, but it's all been very quiet concerning this big game, which could have big consequences in shaping the rest of the season for both sides. The question still remains: who does Rodgers pick for this big game, and does he chuck in some new signings straight into the firing line?

In goals, Kasper Schmeichel will keep his place, as he will sample the Glasgow Derby for the first time in his long and successful career. You could even make the argument that this is the biggest game the keeper will have been involved in – certainly concerning rivalry and importance at club level.

The four outfield defenders also pick themselves automatically, as Greg Taylor and Alistair Johnston will play at left and right-back respectively, whilst Liam Scales will be one of the two centre-backs. He will be joined by Cameron Carter-Vickers, who there were slight injury worries about – confirmed by Rodgers as having a ‘recovery day’ instead of training with the team. It will be interesting to see where new signings Auston Trusty and Alex Valle both fit in this back-line. 

In the midfield, fellow new signing – and record one at that - Arne Engels will have to make do with a bench place, though expect him to make his Celtic Park bow in the second half. This area will stay unchanged, as captain Callum McGregor will be supported by summer signing Paulo Bernardo and the in-form Reo Hatate respectively. If Celtic are going to win this match, these three will be a key part in delivering that verdict.

In the forward areas, Kyogo Furuhashi will start the match, though a more than capable option will be on the bench in Adam Idah. Both need to get off the mark this season – you would not bet against one or the other to do just that versus Rangers. Kyogo will be joined by Daizen Maeda – James Tavernier’s worst nightmare – and star man Nicolas Kuhn on the left and right, as both look to bring and cause mayhem to Clement’s back-line. Watch out for Kuhn vs Jefte, as the Rangers left-back looks suspect at defending. It could be a long afternoon for the Brazilian at Parkhead.

Not to be overconfident or arrogant, but I simply cannot see past Celtic in this game. The home side to win by two or three to go five points clear.

Ryan’s team (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; McGregor, Bernardo, Hatate; Kuhn, Kyogo, Maeda

Tony Haggerty

It's the first Glasgow Derby of the season and Celtic and Rodgers are entering it in fine fettle.

Four wins on the spin. One goal conceded. A record £11 million outlay on midfielder Engels during the transfer window. It's been good news week for Celtic. Yes, Celtic and their supporters have got a lot to smile... possibly even crow about.

It will all mean nothing though if the Irishman's side fails to deliver on the big Celtic Park stage against their city rivals come Sunday. Rodgers still sports a remarkable record in this fixture having lost just once. Rangers will be buoyed by their 6-0 win over the Staggies last weekend but it will be a tall order to come to Celtic Park with no fans and triumph.

Schmeichel will be in between the sticks and he may well take his save tally for the season beyond the digits of one hand. There will be a back four of Johnston on the right, Carter-Vickers alongside Scales in the middle and Taylor at left-back. On loan Barcelona left-back Valle will have to wait a bit longer before making his debut.

In the midfield, skipper McGregor will be up against a new threat in the shape of Connor Barron. He will be assisted by Bernardo and Hatate who both know what it is like to score in this fixture and finish on the winning side.

Rodgers' biggest decision will be the front three but with Kuhn on fire with six-goal contributions already this season the prospect of the German wide man terrorising Jefte down the right-hand side for Celtic is a very real one. He starts on the right win. Maeda will be asked to put in another selfless team performance as he once again sets out to put the hex on Rangers defender Tavernier. Maeda will be deployed on the left flank.

The focal point win attack will be Kyogo as the Japanese talisman knows where the goal is, especially against Rangers. He loves a derby strike and you won't put it past him to notch his first goal of the season against the Light Blues, would you? Idah will also see some game time as he seeks his first Celtic goal as a permanent member of the club staff.

Celtic to win comfortably enough by at least two goals and to be sitting pretty five points ahead of Clement's men come Sunday afternoon.

Tony's team: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; McGregor, Hatate, Bernardo; Kuhn, Kyogo, Maeda.