Team news: Brown on bench for Celtic, Kent starts for Rangers

Celtic will start the derby against Rangers at Ibrox without Scott Brown after Neil Lennon opted to leave his captain on the bench.

The veteran midfielder has been replaced by Ismaila Soro in recent games and Lennon has kept with the player after a string of impressive performances.

Steven Gerrard has made two changes with Leon Balogun and Ryan Kent replacing Filip Helander and Ianis Hagi.

Rangers start with Allan McGregor in goal, behind a back line of Borna Barisic, Leon Balogun, Conor Goldson and captain James Tavernier.

Glen Kamara, Joe Aribo and Steven Davis make up a midfield trio, with Ryan Kent and Kemar Roofe flanking Alfredo Morelos in attack.

On the bench are John McLaughlin, Calvin Bassey, Filip Helander, Nathan Patterson, Ianis Hagi, Bongani Zungu, Brandon Barker, Jermain Defoe and Cedric Itten.

Vasilis Barkas keeps his place in goal for Celtic. Diego Laxalt, Kristoffer Ajer, Nir Bitton and Jeremie Frimpong are in defence.

Ismaila Soro is at the base of a midfield diamond with Callum McGregor, David Turnbull and Ryan Christie completing the four in the middle of the park.

Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths are partnered again up front.

Conor Hazard. Greg Taylor, Shane Duffy, Albian Ajeti, Tom Rogic, Olivier Ntcham, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Hatem Abd Elhamed join Brown on the Celtic bench.