Kenny Miller highlights key duel in Celtic v Rangers derby and Kemar Roofe role

Kenny Miller believes Kemar Roofe has the “experience and quality” to make a key contribution for Rangers – by exploiting Celtic’s defence.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland Sportsound, Miller expressed reservations over Celtic’s defence, and said he believed Carl Starfelt was “there to be got at”.

Miller, who played for both sides across the Old Firm divide said Roofe – restored to the Rangers starting line-up ahead of Cedric Itten – had the attributes to capitalise on the Swede in the middle of Celtic’s defence, alongside Tottenham Hotspur loanee Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On Starfelt, Miller said: “I think he looks uncomfortable on the ball, every time everything I get, I actually feel scared he’s going to lose it. I think he’s there to be got at and Roofe has the experience and quality. If I was him I’d get right on Starfelt, playing on him.”

Carl Starfelt and Kemar Roofe will be a key battle in the Old Firm, Kenny Miller believes (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)Carl Starfelt and Kemar Roofe will be a key battle in the Old Firm, Kenny Miller believes (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)
Carl Starfelt and Kemar Roofe will be a key battle in the Old Firm, Kenny Miller believes (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

Fellow pundits agreed with the Falkirk assistant manager’s reservations, Pat Bonner suggesting the right-footed defender playing on the left of the centre-half pairing could be cause and Miller went on: “I remember a game at Motherwell, and the partnership of Starfelt and Carter-Vickers was improving, but I look at Starfelt and he’s in an area for Rangers to target.

“I think he’s very uncomfortable on the ball, and in a defensive sense he’s not the biggest.”

Starfelt, Carter-Vickers and fellow defenders Josep Juranovic and Greg Taylor will face Rangers’ three-pronged attack comprising Roofe flanked by Ryan Kent and Amad Diallo in the second Old Firm encounter of the season.

Celtic can go top with a win, but Rangers go into the game leading the cinch Premiership by two points.

Don't miss out on a 30 per cent discount on an annual sports subscription. We have a special offer throughout January where you can get a reduced package. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions/sports for more details

Comments

 0 comments

Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.