Celtic go into Sunday's derby off the back of a midweek loss - but there is no doubt they are still the form team.

An underwhelming start to the season for Rangers coupled with some dominant displays from Ange Postecoglou's men has challenged last season's perception that the Light Blues were near-untouchable.

But a derby day is usually fraught with frenetic play and, on this occasion, no Celtic fans will be present at Ibrox for the game.

So who will make the starting line-up as Celtic look to lay down an early title marker in Govan? Our writers make their calls...

Alison McConnell

There is ample food for thought for Ange Postecoglou as he looks towards his first visit to Ibrox.

The first defeat in seven games on Thursday night wasn’t as wounding as it might have been given that Celtic advanced into the Europa League because of their aggregate win, but there were sufficient issues to come to light that may affect the line-up for Sunday’s game.

Tom Rogic has been impressive in recent weeks but the game bypassed him against Alkmaar, while Carl Starfelt has looked uneasy since his arrival. Anthony Ralston has made a compelling case for himself in recent weeks but if there is to be a way of pinning Celtic back by Rangers it will be by pressing the two full-backs.

In that regard there could be a surprise debut for new arrival Josip Juranovic, although it is quite the cauldron to be thrown into for a first start.

The most notable performance on Thursday night was from Odsonne Edouard. The Frenchman's arrival into the fray changed the complexion of the game for Celtic and, while it remains to be seen what happens in the next few days, he may well have done enough to earn a starting shirt for Ibrox.

Alison's team: Hart; Juranovic, Starfelt, Welsh, Taylor; McGregor, Turnbull, Christie; Abada, Edouard, Furuhashi.

Andy Bargh

“The most important game, is the next one.” That’s the stock answer, right?

Well, for Ange Postecoglou and his gelling Celtic team, it has been the case after a stumbling start. It boils down to building momentum, which has been gathered pretty quickly since the opening day defeat to Hearts.

In the last three domestic games, Celtic have taken 104 shots on goal leaving opponents feeling like they’re trying to build paper dams but, to be honest, such is the force of Celtic’s attacking will recently, green tsunami after white tsunami would break down a dam being held by the Hulk.

There are options on what is the most potent triumvirate for Celtic and what the best one to field against Rangers might be. Kyogo Furuhashi will undoubtedly be involved, either centrally or on the left. That probably hinges on any potential inclusion of Odsonne Edouard, who’s now reportedly the subject of a bid from Rubin Kazan. If the Frenchman starts, Furuhashi will play wide. If he doesn’t, Furuhashi will play through the middle.

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Liel Abada’s made slotting into a rebuilding Celtic squad look fairly easy, but I think Postecoglou will go with James Forrest on the right and Ryan Christie on the left, provided Furuhashi starts as the centre forward.

In midfield, Callum McGregor and David Turnbull are certainties, while Tom Rogic may well be the other one in the trifecta. He’s scored numerous goals against Rangers and his form, familiarity with the fixture and Ibrox atmosphere will probably see him selected. If Postecoglou wants to be more conservative, James McCarthy or Ismaila Soro might play but the manager is fairly set in his ways.

It’s been less than an ideal start in Glasgow for Carl Starfelt, but he and Stephen Welsh are the first-choice centre-backs at the club. Postecoglou has said Greg Taylor should be fit to start at left-back, while Anthony Ralston has enough credit in the bank to continue at right-back despite the arrival of Josip Juranovic. We know who will play in goal.

Andy's team: Hart; Ralston, Welsh, Starfelt, Taylor; McGregor, Turnbull, Rogic; Forrest, Furuhashi, Christie.

Sean Martin

I think this depends on how you think the game will unfold early on. Ange Postecoglou, to my mind, will look to dominate the ball straight away and play at as high a tempo as possible.

For that, the midfield must be on their game and ready to produce magic so I don't see the Celtic manager not giving Tom Rogic a chance to show Thursday's subpar showing against AZ Alkmaar was a mere blip in his otherwise spirited renaissance. He also has five goals in 15 games (10 wins) against the Ibrox men and that familiarity could come in handy. Ryan Christie's quality and relentless energy out wide could pose young Nathan Patterson all sorts of issues and he can always move central later if need be. 

Ensuring Callum McGregor has more freedom to play than he did against AZ will be key to Celtic's fortunes on Sunday and a big part in that will be a mature and confident display from centre-back Carl Starfelt after his shaky start to life in the hoops.

Elsewhere in the backline, I don't see Anthony Ralston dropping out for this game after his recent progression while Greg Taylor should return to left-back after being forced off injured against AZ. If he doesn't recover in time I think Postecoglou will have no hesitation in starting Adam Montgomery there instead.

Up front, Kyogo Furuhashi's pace, movement and unwavering commitment could make for a nightmare situation for the Rangers defence and Liel Abada's right-wing berth is safe unless James Forrest is fit enough to start, in which case the latter's experience may win out.

Sean's team: Hart; Ralston, Starfelt, Welsh, Taylor; McGregor, Turnbull; Abada, Rogic, Christie; Furuhashi.

Tony Haggerty

Ange Postecoglou will know the importance of continuing to build momentum as he experiences the first taste of the Glasgow derby. Therefore I fully expect that he will tinker with his line-up ahead of the visit to Ibrox.

Joe Hart is an automatic starter in goal and Anthony Ralston should get the nod ahead of Croatia international Josip Juranovic at right-back. Swedish defender Carl Starfelt will once again partner Stephen Welsh at the heart of the defence and I think Postecoglou will hand a baptism of fire debut to Liam Scales at left-back owing to Greg Taylor's injury. While Adam Montgomery was an able deputy against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday night the youngster will not be risked in Govan.

In midfield, I believe Tom Rogic will miss this one out and it will be Callum McGregor, David Turnbull, Ryan Christie and Liel Abada who will form a four-man engine room. I feel that Odsonne Edouard will return to the starting line-up and he will partner Kyogo Furuhashi up front and Celtic go in search of goals.

Tony's team: Hart; Ralston, Starfelt, Welsh, Scales; McGregor, Turnbull, Christie, Abada; Edouard, Kyogo.