THE crescendo won’t be reached until Saturday but the preparations for the first Old Firm game of the season started some time ago for Steven Gerrard. The focus will only sharpen as the week progresses.

Gerrard has yet to win the opening encounter of the campaign with Celtic and his third attempt could prove to be his most important yet. As with any Rangers side that travels to Parkhead, a draw would be an acceptable result, but a victory could be hugely significant for Rangers.

Here, Herald and Times Sport assess three issues that must be addressed as the focus intensifies ahead of the first meeting of the campaign.

MAKE THE MOST OF THE CHANCE TO APPLY SOME PRESSURE

The cliché surrounding these games is that form goes out of the window and Gerrard will hope that isn’t the case for Rangers. Given how both sides performed in weeks before the international break, Rangers would have to be fancied to win this time around.

The same could have been said this time last season, though, and the feeling that Celtic were perhaps there for the taking at Ibrox certainly didn’t materialise. Rangers were too passive on the day as they once again missed the chance to apply a bit of pressure and they cannot afford to make the same mistakes again.

It could be argued that there is more at stake for Neil Lennon this weekend. Celtic haven’t been as convincing as Rangers in recent weeks and a derby defeat would surely see more unfriendly fire from Parkhead punters.

The Covid isolation rules that will leave Lennon without the likes of Nir Bitton and Ryan Christie and could deny him the services of Odsonne Eduoard leave Celtic on the back foot. But they also provide an early get out should things not go their way.

Gerrard must ensure that Rangers do their job and don’t pass up the opportunity that has presented itself. Losing to an understrength Celtic would raise questions about whether Rangers have improved enough to be seriously considered as potential champions and this is far from a free hit.

SOLVE THE MIDFIELD PUZZLE

This is the area where Gerrard has the biggest calls to make as he picks three from four.

It all centres on Ryan Jack and Gerrard must decide whether to start one of his most trusted and reliable performers for the first time since the win over Dundee United.

Jack’s time with Scotland should ensure that he is fit enough on Saturday but the form of Steven Davis, Glen Kamara and Scott Arfield ensures Gerrard has a real dilemma.

Arfield has been a stand-out in recent games. He scored against United, Hibernian and Galatasaray and his ability to provide support from deep, combined with a relentless work ethic, has given Rangers an added dimension.

It would be a surprise if Arfield doesn’t start. Given his experience in these fixtures, the same can be said for Davis and the Northern Irishman will be key once again.

It is down to two, then. In many ways, Kamara and Jack perform similar roles in the middle of the park and both have plenty in the bank when it comes to backing from their boss.

Right now, it is too tough and too close to call. It will certainly be a tricky one for Gerrard and his staff to debate.

DECIDE WHO SHOULD START UP FRONT

It is easy to make cases for and against here, but the answer will probably be Alfredo Morelos once again. He is not Gerrard’s only option, but he is the most realistic.

The fact that Morelos will be in the Colombia squad for their match with Chile in the early hours of Wednesday morning is clearly an issue. Making a 7,000-mile return journey just a couple of days before going to Parkhead is far from ideal but Morelos should still get the nod.

The most likely alternative is Cedric Itten, assuming he comes through Switzerland’s match with Germany unscathed. The 23-year-old is an Old Firm novice but his goals against Motherwell were the most promising signs yet that he can have a big impact this term.

His fellow summer signing, Kemar Roofe, hasn’t featured since hobbling off against Lincoln Red Imps. He possesses the attributes to be a derby match-winner, but his limited game time must be a concern.

A first appearance against Celtic is more likely to come from the bench, and it is hard to see Jermain Defoe starting either given the physical nature of the Celtic defence and his own lack of match minutes.

That, then, puts the focus on Morelos. It is a game many expected him not be a Rangers player for, but one that provides a chance for him to finally write different headlines on derby day.