Glasgow Rangers travel to face their bitter rivals having won the previous meeting at Ibrox.
Having won none of their last four games, Steven Gerrard went into the international break facing some questions from a handful of Rangers fans who understandably suggested that his reputation in the game is helping him avoid greater scrutiny.
Unfortunately for the Gers, Gerrard’s first campaign looks set to end without silverware. Their Scottish Cup campaign came to an end during that four-game winless run, and they go into this weekend’s Old Firm clash with Celtic 10 points adrift of the league leaders. Even a win does not necessarily set up a title race in the Scottish Premiership.
Nevertheless, it is surely Hoops boss Neil Lennon who goes into Sunday’s meeting under greater pressure than his opposite number.
Celtic have won three and drawn one of Lennon’s four games in charge since he returned for a second spell at Parkhead. He also looks to have a fantastic chance of overseeing the victory of the two trophies that will see the Bhoys win their third domestic Treble on the spin.
But Lennon’s future has a huge question mark hanging over it. He endeared himself to the fans by stepping in immediately after Brendan Rodgers’ departure and the results under him have been good.
However, the brand of football has left a little to be desired and it cannot be overlooked that they have scored just one first-half goal in those four games and have needed two stoppage-time winners from Odsonne Edouard to secure two of those victories.
It was always going to be difficult for Lennon to go above and beyond during this spell with Celtic already in pole position to win everything once again.
Therefore, if Lennon wants to keep the job beyond this season, then he surely cannot afford to have a home defeat to Rangers on his record. Even a draw would be incredibly underwhelming at this stage.
Many Rangers fans have already reluctantly accepted that their campaign could fizzle out unless something incredible happens, so it seems difficult to imagine the criticism of Gerrard moving to another level after this weekend unless the result evokes memories from Pedro Caixinha’s tenure.
For Lennon however, the pressure really looks to be on. With little to personally gain from seeing Celtic across the line in the title race, his results in the Old Firm games could have major implications for what the future looks like for the Hoops interim boss.
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