Celtic clash allows Rangers’ Docherty to show he is Scotland’s best

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Greg Docherty will be taking part in his first Old Firm clash when Rangers host Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday.

Greg Docherty has surely played himself into Graeme Murty’s starting XI for the Old Firm derby clash with Celtic on Sunday.

The 22-year-old midfielder has become a real fan favourite already at Ibrox, and that is an indication of just how impressive he has been for Rangers since he signed from Hamilton for £675,000 in January after a drawn-out transfer saga.

His former Accies boss Martin Canning even went as far as to describe the 21-year-old as Scottish football’s answer to Hercules in an interview with the Scottish Sun.

And with Rangers needing a Herculean effort to beat Celtic for the first time since their return to the top flight in 2016, Docherty’s mix of technique and tenacity should come in very handy.

If he can inspire a result against the league leaders and reigning champions, he could put down a marker for being the most exciting up-and-coming midfield talent in the top flight of Scottish football.

There is no shortage of naturally gifted, intelligent ball-players emerging in a league which for too long was the preserve of brawn over brains, with Harry Cochrane (below), John McGinn and Ryan Christie just a few of those who have burst on to the scenes in recent times.

Docherty, at least in comparison to Hibernian talisman McGinn and Aberdeen’s Celtic loanee Christie, is relatively new to this big stage. But, if his first few performances for Rangers are anything to go by, there are few better and more promising young talents in Scottish football than him.

New Scotland boss Alex McLeish, who will give the next generation the chance to stake their claim, should keep a close eye on Docherty; a player with the world at his feet who, if he helps his team get a result on Sunday, could announce himself as the leader of the revolution.