Celtic will look to continue their unbeaten start to the Scottish Premiership season when they visit Kilmarnock today. The Hoops have been dominant in recent encounters with Kilmarnock, losing just one of their last 17 league meetings and securing a comprehensive 5-0 victory in their last visit to Rugby Park in May.
Meanwhile, Rangers are under pressure to close the gap at the top of the table as they host a Hearts side that has shown signs of improvement under new manager Neil Critchley. The Gers will be aiming to bounce back after settling for a draw in both of their most recent league games against Hearts, including a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle last month.
As both Old Firm clubs gear up for a crucial weekend, some key headlines are emerging, with Rangers facing criticism over their transfer policy, while Celtic’s Alistair Johnston continues to receive glowing praise for his performances.
Rangers’ Transfer Woes: Injury Crisis and Recruitment Concerns
Rangers have been hit hard by injuries this season, and former St Mirren midfielder Stephen McGinn has called on manager Philippe Clement to address the club’s injury crisis. The latest blow is the news that Welsh midfielder Tom Lawrence will be sidelined for four to six weeks, joining Rabbi Matondo and Oscar Cortes on the injury list.
McGinn believes that the club’s recruitment policy has contributed to their injury problems. Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, McGinn stated, “It’s not ideal, nobody wants to get injured, but it is probably the biggest thing in terms of Rangers’ recruitment. With the injuries, Philippe Clement needs to get to the bottom of it in the summer, in terms of this big rebuild.”
He added that Rangers should focus on bringing in players who have the physical robustness required to play at the top level, especially given the demands of playing for a club like Rangers. “As a requirement to play for Rangers, you have to play 50/60 games. I know James Tavernier and Connor Goldson get loads of stick, but they play 50/60 games all the time. That should be the minimum requirement to come and play for the club.”
Alistair Johnston: Celtic’s Standout Right-Back:
While Rangers are dealing with injury woes, Celtic’s defence has been solid, with Alistair Johnston earning widespread praise for his performances. Former Celtic defender Mark Wilson has described Johnston as one of the best right-backs the club has had in recent years. Speaking on *Clyde 1 Superscoreboard*, Wilson compared Johnston to former Celtic full-backs Mikael Lustig and Josip Juranovic, saying, “I think he is right up there with the best that I have seen in a long time at Celtic. I really liked [Josip] Juranovic, and I like [Mikael] Lustig, but I think this guy is better than both of them.”
Johnston has been in excellent form for Celtic, having made 16 appearances across all competitions so far this season, scoring four goals and registering three assists. His contributions have been vital to Celtic’s strong start to the campaign, and his defensive solidity has added another layer of strength to the team.
With Celtic continuing to perform at a high level, Johnston’s rise as one of the club’s top right-backs has certainly added to the sense of optimism around the squad.
As Celtic look to maintain their lead at the top of the Premiership, and Rangers work to close the gap, the contrasting fortunes of both clubs are highlighted by their transfer policies and the performances of key players like Johnston.
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