Holt simply has to start over Rangers ace Docherty against Celtic

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Rangers face Celtic on Sunday in a hugely important Old Firm clash.

Sunday is make or break for Rangers manager Graeme Murty as the Light Blues go up against Old Firm rivals Celtic with a Scottish Premiership title race at stake.

Experience of such a fixture will be key if the Gers are to finally beat Celtic for the first time since gaining promotion back to the top flight of Scottish football, and that must be reflected in Murty’s team selection.

A win for the Gers will see them go within three points of Brendan Rodgers’ side at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, with the two sides set to do battle once more after Sunday following the split.

Form goes out the window when it comes to such a hotly-contested fixture, and Murty must consider his inexperienced midfield ahead of what is such an important fixture – not only for the Gers, but for their manager’s long-term future.

A handful of pundits have suggested that the 43-year-old needs to win in order to claim the manager’s role beyond the summer, when he is currently contracted to end his stint in the Ibrox dugout.

Loanee Sean Goss has starred since his move from English Championship side QPR in the middle of the park, and hs recent been joined by Greg Docherty with the former Hamilton ace impressing alongside him.

But neither midfielder has Old Firm derby experience and that could be key when coming up against the likes of Scott Brown, Callum McGregor and Olivier Ntcham. If Rangers are to win, they need experience of the Glasgow derby in midfield.

It should see Murty consider starting Jason Holt, who has shown this season that he has the leadership and experience to captain the Rangers side. The 25-year-old has impressed when given the chance, but is currently warming the bench.

However, knowing what to expect in such a fixture will give the Gers the chance to hit the ground running and Murty simply needs to start Holt overt Docherty in order to cope with Celtic’s influential midfield.

With Goss boasting huge technical ability, Holt will add the kind of grit and determination required to help the Gers beat Celtic. Starting him over Docherty gives Rangers the best chance of creating a title race.