Seven days is all the time Rangers and Danny Rohl will have to dissect their 2-2 draw with Celtic in the Premiership last Sunday.
That display left a bitter taste in the mouths of all Rangers supporters after surrendering such a healthy lead to Celtic.
However, the beauty of this weekend is that it’s the Scottish Cup, so no room for draws or excuses from Rohl’s men.
For Rangers, this isn’t about a trip to Hampden; it’s about putting their mistakes right from last weekend and earning the city’s bragging rights.
Whether it’s Rohl vs Martin O’Neill or key matchups on the pitch, this Old Firm will be a cracker.
The Tactical Chess Match: Danny Rohl vs. Martin O’Neill
Rohl has transformed Rangers into a high-pressing machine that thrives on suffocating the opposition from the start.
In last weekend’s Old Firm, during the first 50 minutes, Rohl’s team was relentless, using a high press to force Celtic into repeated turnovers.
By pushing the wingers Mikey Moore and Andreas Olsen high and wide, Rohl’s side was able to overload the box, helping Youssef Chermiti pick up two goals.
However, the high-energy display took its toll in the second half, with the gap between midfield and defence growing wider, and Celtic exploiting it.
Celtic boss Martin O’Neill has been around the game for decades and has restored a never-say-die attitude back at Celtic Park.
Rohl will have to counter O’Neill’s structured, semi-direct approach this weekend.
The Northern Irishman’s real strength is his mid-game management, as he introduced Reo Hatate and Sebastian Tounekti at halftime last weekend.
Rohl needs to be prepared for any slight tweaks that could tilt the balance away from Rangers as they aim for Scottish Cup glory.
He has given the team a rallying cry ahead of the important fixture this Sunday.
The Engine Room: Nicolas Raskin vs. Callum McGregor
In the fixture last Sunday, Nicolas Raskin was the leader in Rohl’s high-energy midfield as they pinned Celtic into their own half.
Raskin was crucial in engaging the Celtic midfield, especially captain Callum McGregor, who was swamped in the first half at Ibrox.
The Belgian star didn’t give McGregor any time to breathe in the first 45 minutes, forcing the Celtic skipper into a yellow card.
The double-pivot that Rohl deployed, including Raskin and Tochi Chukwuani, was instrumental in ensuring Rangers dictated the game.
McGregor was crying out for help in that first half at Ibrox, but Reo Hatate changed the midfield complexion in the second half.
If Hatate starts this weekend, Raskin will have a much tougher job in dictating the game in the Scottish Cup clash.
The Rangers Danger Man: Youssef Chermiti vs. Liam Scales
Youssef Chermiti was the underlying star in last weekend’s encounter, bagging a magical first-half brace in the game.
The striker’s movement between the lines completely baffled the Celtic defence in the first half, especially Liam Scales.
Scales couldn’t enforce any physical pressure on Chermiti and wasn’t able to read his creative flicks to kick-start Rangers attacks.
If Rohl pushes his wingers right up the pitch, there is no reason why Chermiti can’t feed off scraps in the box and provide that clinical edge.
Celtic defender Scales is a reader of the game, and he cannot afford to play reactively against a striker of Chermiti’s ability.
After two goals at Parkhead in January and two at Ibrox last Sunday, Chermiti knows he has the beating of the Celtic defence.
Will he be the difference maker this weekend?
