Sutton out for Old Firm tie
The new season may only be a few weeks old but the first Glasgow derby of the season was crammed with significance for both sides, and Rangers in particular.
Under-pressure Gers boss Alex McLeish brought his side to Celtic Park aiming to end a run of six successive Old Firm defeats.
Their Champions League exit at the hands of CSKA Moscow in midweek had been a huge blow to morale to a side that needed to be hastily-rebuilt in the summer - and Celtic boss Martin O’Neill handed an instant debut to his latest signing, Brazil international Juninho.
The Hoops were without striker Chris Sutton because of a hamstring problem but defenders Stan Varga and Jackie McNamara both returned following injury.
McLeish made two changes, with midfielder Alex Rae returning from suspension to make his Old Firm debut and right back Alan Hutton given his first start of the season, with Peter Lovenkrands and Stevie Hughes the men jettisoned.
To add extra spice, as if it were needed, both sides fielded men at the centre of speculation linking them with to moves to Newcastle – Celtic’s Bobo Balde and Jean-Alain Boumsong of Rangers, with the latter also said to be coveted by Chelsea.
