Andy Ritchie has always been as entertaining off the field as he was on it.

That's why it was no surprise to hear he had tried to shoe-horn 12 players into his combined Old Firm XI. The former Celtic ace, of course, was forced to cut the squad down to size, but not before requesting to kick things off with Ronnie Simpson, Jim Craig and Tommy Gemmill.

In a 45 minute conversation with the King of Cappielow - a nickname he earned after swapping Parkhead for Morton in a part-exchange with Roy Baines heading the other way - his wit and humour sometimes has you forgetting how clever a football brain he has.

He played alongside enough top players to spot one - a fact which helped him land a chief scout role at Celts under Fergus McCann - where he helped identify the likes of Pierre van Hooijdonk. So it was a no-brainer to ask him to pick out a combined XI of today's available Celtic and Rangers stars.

"Systems only matter when you haven't got the ball," he said as he debated with himself over which formation to go with. In the end, 4-3-1-2 won the day.

Here is Andy Ritchie's combined Celtic and Rangers XI ahead of tomorrow's big derby day in Glasgow.

Allan McGregor

He's an experienced guy who has been through it all. He understands the concept of it and experience goes a long, long way for me, in an Old Firm game. He's been through it all, he's seen it all. Barkas at Celtic hasn't been tested enough but seems competent enough. But I think McGregor is the guy who has turned in performances before and, if he's fit and available, he's who I'd have. 

James Tavernier

He's a full back who takes penalties. He's got a good delivery and is good going forward. I like Jeremie Frimpong but Tavernier's experience gets him in there.

Shane Duffy

He may not have played in the fixture so far but I like the cut of his jib. He's the type of player who does what it says on the tin. If you find a partner for him, he'll do well.

Christopher Jullien

I'm not a massive Kris Ajer fan but I do like Jullien, though he may not be everyone's cup of tea. I've actually always been a fan of Nir Bitton at the back rather than in the middle! I do think Duffy and Jullien in the Old Firm game would be a good pairing, though the Frenchman hasn't played as much recently.

Borna Barisic

He's a good player. he gets forward and can defend. He's experienced and has a good understanding. He now also knows the concept of it as well having played in a few derbies already.

Steven Davis

I've liked him since his first spell at Ibrox. He's a very comfortable player, takes the ball and is prepared to do so under pressure, especially in this sort of game. You wouldn't say he was a player who predominantly wants to pick and pass and play but he links up the game and brings people into it. He gives the proper pass at the proper time. Anywhere he's went he's done that, down south he done the same. He's not the most flamboyant player but he's proved his worth before and will do it again.

Scott Brown

You need to have Scott Brown in there. He has terrific experience in these games and that tells you the type of player he is. Plenty of endeavour, commitment, organisation. He would be there because he and McGregor work well together and it would allow McGregor to go that wee bit further forward.

Callum McGregor

I've always liked Callum, he's a very decent midfield player who ticks a lot of the boxes. He can get himself forward and can work at the back as well. He's a fetcher and carrier, a decent passer of the ball. He can shoot, he can empty out the middle of the park in support of the front. I like him a lot.

Ryan Kent

He has a lot going for him. He's got a bit of pace and looks a brave wee bugger. He'll go into the final third of the park and will get things done. He has a good delivery when he does get into that wide area and he'll get forward to support people. There's no surprise clubs in England were interested in taking him back down the road again. He's got good attributes and he's did well in the first few derbies he's played in. He's very direct and gets at people.

Odsonne Edouard

If fitness was no issue you'd need Edouard in there. Griffiths is close as he scores goals, but taking all the background out, he probably won't start the game. Edouard has proven himself to be a top player, he's sharp and quick round about people.

Alfredo Morelos

Celtic supporters think he can't score a goal against them, but it's always going to happen because he is that type of player. I actually like the fella, though I don't know what he's like to handle or what he's like to work with. Good centre-forwards tend to be like that. They don't go through their careers at clubs without having a problem or two. I don't mind somebody who didn't toe the party line all the time. Maybe that fact has worked against him quite severely in the past, but Celtic fans will be worried about the wee man tomorrow. He'll either get sent off within 10 minutes or score a hat-trick, that's the type of player he is.