Sunday isn't just another fixture. It's one of those moments that feels bigger than 90 minutes — not only for the players or the fans dreaming of title 56, but for Rohl. Tactics and, crucially, selection will shape the midfield battle and could swing the whole weekend. I'm leaning towards a 4-4-2, but it's a tricky call.
Why the midfield will decide it
Old Firm games are usually won where the middle of the park is fought over. If we win that area, we control tempo, transitions and chances. If we don't, it becomes a long afternoon trying to chase the game. You can see why Rohl's setup matters: which two or three sit deep, who breaks forward, and how the full-backs are asked to balance attack and cover.
4-4-2 or change to three?
The 4-4-2 (or the 4-2-2-2 shape some call it) gave us menace in the Hearts second half — two strikers occupying centre-backs, wide midfielders providing width, and a compact spine. It asks questions of the opposition back line and can create overloads. Against a team set up in 4-2-3-1, it can be particularly awkward for them to pick up runners.
Against a midfield packed with three, though, a lone pivot can be exposed. The alternative is to go 4-3-3 or a three-man midfield to try and match numbers, force control and press higher. That worked for us in that New Year game when a timely tweak changed the feel. So the choice comes down to whether Rohl wants to dominate possession or provoke danger for Celtic at the back.
What I'd pick and why
Personally, I'm backing the 4-4-2. It gives us directness, keeps two up to punish mistakes and creates uncertainty for Celtic defenders. I want energy in midfield — Raskin paired with a disciplined partner who can close gaps and let the wide players affect the game. To be fair, it's nervy thinking; the standings make this feel like a must-win. Lose and Hearts win; we fall seven behind. Draw and Hearts win; we're six adrift. Not impossible, but with time running out, every decision counts. Keep the faith, and let's hope Rohl's call is the right one.
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