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Rangers legend Brian Laudrup on the THREE players that can make the difference against Celtic at Ibrox

RANGERS legend Brian Laudrup reckons his old club were "spineless" against Celtic last time out - partly because of three key players that didn't start.

Gers were humbled 3-0 by Celts at Parkhead in February.

Rangers legend Brian Laudrup
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Rangers legend Brian LaudrupCredit: Keith Campbell - The Sun Glasgow
Alfredo Morelos missed the last Old Firm derby
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Alfredo Morelos missed the last Old Firm derbyCredit: Willie Vass

They now go into the weekend derby clash at Ibrox three points behind their rivals but Laudrup is expecting to see a different Rangers side turn up on this occasion.

Writing in the Scottish Daily Mail, he said: "Maybe you could even say that first-half capitulation was rather spineless. But I fully expect a completely different showing in Sunday's epic encounter at Ibrox. In part, because I hope Rangers will have a very different spine to their team.

"Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Jack and Leon Balogun. None of those players started the 3-0 loss at Celtic Park on February 2. With varying degrees of importance, having them back could make a world of difference to how Rangers deal with this derby. And to their prospects of retaining the Premiership title.

"The pressure is well and truly on now. Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side have to win. If they lose, and go six points behind with six games to play, it's pretty much game over in my view.

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"But Rangers have what it takes to turn the tide. I firmly believe that. And they will ask Celtic a whole other set of questions if they can call upon that aforementioned trio of players at the end of this international break.

Laudrup is in no doubt over who the most important member of the trio is.

The big worry however, is that Morelos misses the clash through injury.

Laudrup said: "Morelos is the biggest concern after news he was sent home from Colombia duty because of a thigh muscle problem. Hopefully, from a Rangers perspective, there is time for recovery ahead of the weekend.

"Because it's critical to have him leading the line.

"We know he's not been as prolific in these derbies as he has in the Europa League, but his presence on the pitch will worry Celtic. They know how annoying he can be. The menace he can present. As an opposition defender, you need to constantly have an eye on him. You're aware he can drag the his whole team up the pitch through his smart movement and strength.

"He's so aggressive at home in particular. He feels like he owns the stage at Ibrox and I'm sure he will have been relishing the prospect of this game. Everyone at Rangers should have fingers and toes crossed that he is able to get out there in good condition, because there isn't a like-for-like replacement."

Jack came on in the second half in February and just about every observer included he was Rangers' best player.

He's had a couple of fitness knocks since then but is now looking fully healthy again and played a role in Scotland's 1-1 draw against Poland as a second half sub.

Laudrup went as far as to compare Jack with a former teammate of his, Stuart McCall, an Ibrox legend in his own right.

He said: "He helped add stability when he came on at half-time at Parkhead, at a point when he was still working towards full fitness.

"Since then, he's been outstanding.

"He brings balance to the team. He spreads calm to his colleagues, very rarely loses the ball, can control the tempo within games and has the tactical intelligence to put himself in the right place at the right time.

"A great quality for any player is to make your team-mates perform better. In my view, Jack does exactly that. That's why you would never want to go into an Old Firm game without him.

"In my time at Rangers, Stuart McCall had some of the same attributes as Jack. He knew exactly what he was good at. He played with intelligence and he kept things simple."

The former wing king reckons Balogun's solid if unspectacular approach will be beneficial for the derby as he recalled previous stand out performances.

Read more on the Scottish Sun

Read more on The Scottish Sun

He said: "Like Jack, Balogun was a second-half substitute in the last derby. The Nigeria centre-back doesn't attract many headlines but he has a lot of experience and has played well in Old Firm games before.

"And, indeed, in the Europa League. Filip Helander is another quality option, but I suspect Van Bronckhorst might favour Balogun beside Connor Goldson, with Calvin Bassey at left-back."


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