FORMER Celtic favourite Charlie Nicholas insists Moussa Dembele and Odsonne Edouard should get the nod to face Rangers this weekend ahead of Leigh Griffiths.
Griffiths was the match-winner in the champions’ 2-1 victory over Hamilton last weekend, scoring his 15th goal of the season less than a minute after his introduction as a half-time replacement for Jack Hendry.
The Scotland star has now hit the net four times in his last seven outings following an underwhelming period prior to the turn of the year.
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Nevertheless, Nicholas is adamant Rodgers should put his faith in the French front-men at Hampden, with Dembele and Edouard having both struck when the 10-man Hoops defeated Rangers 3-2 at Ibrox last month.
He reckons Griffiths could be a potent game-changer off the bench for Celtic.
“People are suggesting that Griffiths might play,” said Nicholas. “That might be the big issue.
“If I’m picking the team, then Moussa Dembele and [Odsonne] Eduard up front, if he’s fit, would be the partnership for me.
“Rangers still have the same weaknesses at the back. They can get at Celtic, they can score goals and they are strong in the midfield and wide areas - but they don’t have any pace at the back and need protection.
Read more: Steven Thompson: Celtic double-treble would hit a bum note in Scottish game
“So, I think Celtic will nick it if they play with that partnership up front. You then have Griffiths and maybe Sinclair on the bench, then those are really powerful options to come on and change the game.”
Nicholas, meanwhile, has predicted another five-goal thriller following the breathless clash between the sides in Govan, which was decided by Edouard’s stunner on the counter-attack after Jozo Simunovic had been sent off.
“If it’s as good as the last Old Firm game, then it will be sensational,” he continued. “I know Celtic got the win but Rangers did have them on the ropes at times.
“I think Celtic’s quality will edge it, but I really believe it will be very close again. I could see it going to extra-time and being another 3-2 - dramatic yet again.”
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