Only three Rangers players make combined XI with Celtic ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm derby

Celtic's Reo Hatate celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow.

The biggest match of the Scottish Premiership season takes place this Sunday as Rangers host Celtic in a season defining Old Firm derby.

With Celtic leading the title race by just three points, Sunday's derby could go a long way in determining the future destination of the Scottish Premiership title.

Ahead of the blockbuster at Ibrox, we've gone through the stats to produce a combined XI of Celtic and Rangers players.

In order to compile the team, we have used season ratings on WhoScored.com and compared the website's best performing players according to their positions. What's more, we've gone with a 4-3-3 formation, which has been used frequently by both sides this season.

Goalkeeper - Joe Hart (Celtic)

Allan McGregor - 6.1 (WhoScored rating)

Joe Hart - 6.6

Both men may be in the latter years of their careers, but both still play an enormous role in this developing title race.

As things stand though, it's Joe Hart who has the advantage when it comes to his performances in the Scottish Premiership.

The former England international has played four games more than his counterpart, yet he's conceded five fewer goals and has a save percentage of 72.5% - that's 2.5% better than McGregor.

Right back - James Tavernier (Rangers)

James Tavernier - 7.6

Anthony Ralston - 7.6

According to WhoScored, both men have the same season rating of 7.6. However, a closer look at the stats shows that it's the Rangers man who has a slight advantage.

Tavernier has made seven more league appearances than Ralston and as a result, he is ahead on most head-to-head statistics.

The 30-year-old leads the number of tackles won (36:26), the number of interceptions (26:11) and the number of crosses (344:114).

Plus, with Tavernier in the team, Rangers have scored a total of 59 goals - that's 14 more than Celtic have managed with Ralston in the team.

If that wasn't enough, the Rangers right-back has produced double the number of shots and has also enjoyed two more goals and four more assists than his counterpart.

Centre-backs - Cameron Carter-Vickers & Carl Starfelt (Celtic)

Connor Goldson & Calvin Bassey - 6.7

Cameron Carter-Vickers & Carl Starfelt - 7.2

When it comes to centre-backs, there is one stat which is particularly important - and that is the number of conceded goals.

Celtic have shipped just 18 of them in the Premiership this season, with the partnership of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt featuring prominently at the heart of Celtic's defence.

Rangers, in contrast, have conceded 25 goals throughout the course of the league season - something which could cost them the title should the championship fight be decided on goal difference.

Left-back - Greg Taylor (Celtic)

Borna Barisic - 7

Greg Taylor - 7

This is a tough call as both men have been given a 7 rating by WhoScored. However, a deeper dive into the statistics does give the Celtic man a slight edge.

Firstly, it's important to note that Barisic has played 231 minutes more than his counterpart. Despite this, the number of successful tackles (25:17) and interceptions (19:18) is quite close in favour of the Croatian player. But considering Barisic has been on the field for a longer period of time, you would expect to see wider margins.

What's more, when it comes to attack, it's Taylor who tends to ask more questions of his opposition. The Scot finds the target with 22% of his shots, while his opponent is on a mere 9.1%.

Most importantly though, Celtic tend to do better with Taylor in the team (2.59 points-per-match) than Rangers do with Barisic (2.22 ppm).

Right-midfield - Joe Ayodele-Aribo (Rangers)

Joe Ayodele-Aribo - 7.4

Tomas Rogic - 7.1

Another close battle in right-midfield but ultimately, it's Joe Aribo who ranks better than his Australian opponent.

Aribo has scored more goals (7:5), produced more shots on target (51:46), won more tackles (29:10) and made more interceptions (13:3) than Rogic.

The Aussie has made more assists than Aribo, but that is one of very few areas in which Rogic outperforms the Rangers man.

Centre-midfield - Callum McGregor (Celtic)

John Lundstram - 6.73

Callum McGregor - 7.2

Callum McGregor has enjoyed another strong campaign as he looks to claim his seventh Scottish Premiership crown.

The 28-year-old has been at the heart of Celtic's midfield having missed just five games in the Premiership this season.

Lundstram, on the other hand, has been good but not exactly exceptional. The former Sheffield United player boasts strong numbers when it comes to successful tackles and interceptions, but doesn't offer much when it comes to chance creation.

Left-midfield - David Turnbull (Celtic)

Glen Kamara - 7

David Turnbull - 7.7

David Turnbull has played nine fewer games than his counterpart, yet despite this, the 22-year-old is favoured in the WhoScored rankings.

That shouldn't come as a surprise considering Turnbull's impressive numbers. The Scot leads Kamara when it comes to goals (5:3), assists (4:3) and shots on target (20:4).

It's true that Kamara doesn't operate as wide on the left as Turnbull, but it's also important to note that the Celtic man makes a big impact whenever he's on the field.

Right-forward - Liel Abada (Celtic)

Ianis Hagi - 6.99

Liel Abada - 7.1

Ianis Hagi has spent a considerable amount of time on the sidelines with a knee injury, but his season contribution still puts him in contention on our list thanks to his current WhoScored rating of 6.99.

Nevertheless, based on stats, it's Liel Abada who takes a place in our combined XI due to his tremendous contribution.

The Israeli player has made 23 starts this season, scored nine goals, produced six assists and enjoyed a mighty 71 goal attempts.

Right-forward - Jota (Celtic)

Ryan Kent - 7

Jota - 7.5

Both these men have made 22 appearances each, which makes this a close statistical battle. Despite this, it's the Celtic man who is preferred by the WhoScored ratings.

Jota has not only outscored his counterpart by seven goals to two, but has also produced one more assist.

With regards to shots and attempts on target, the Portuguese player also leads by a slender margin.

Centre-forward - Alfredo Morelos (Rangers)

Alfredo Morelos - 7.3

Giorgos Giakoumakis - 7.3

Having bagged 11 league goals this season, Alfredo Morelos is in contention to finish the campaign with the golden boot.

While the Colombian shares the same WhoScored rating as Giorgos Giakoumakis, it's the Rangers man who is preferred in our combined XI due to his goal haul.

His Celtic counterpart isn't far behind having bagged eight goals himself. However, once you add assists to the picture (7:1), Morelos powers well ahead when it comes to goal contributions.

Unfortunately for Rangers, Morelos is out of Sunday's Old Firm derby and considering his impact, he will be a major miss.

Scott Allen