2025 gets off to a flying start in the Scottish Premiership as Rangers host Celtic in the Old Firm derby.
Considered one of the fiercest rivalries in world football, the two clubs have battled it out for decades at the top of the Scottish game, but the schedule has been decidedly one-sided in recent times.
Rangers have failed to win any of their previous seven meetings, and Celtic’s supremacy in the derby is reflected in their overall dominance. The Hoops have won 12 of the previous 13 Scottish titles, with the Gers’ only triumph coming in 2020/21. under Steven Gerrard.
Rangers they have little chance of reclaiming the crown this season with Brendan Rodgers’ side running away with the league. Celtic are 14 points clear of their arch-rivals at the top, with the hosts coming through on Thursday in an unconvincing campaign with Belgian Philippe Clement in charge.
Clement’s team goes into the derby after losing to St. Mirren and drew with Motherwell and concluded the year 2024. Celtic remain unbeaten at home and have conceded just four goals in 18 league games.
Here 90 minutes guide to Thursday’s Old Firm derby.
Rangers vs Celtic H2H record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Rangers |
Celtic |
|---|---|
|
Motherwell 2-2 Rangers – 29.12.24 |
Celtic 4-0 St. Johnstone – 29.12.24 |
|
St. Mirren 2-1 Rangers – 26.12.24 |
Celtic 4-0 Motherwell – 26.12.24 |
|
Rangers 1-0 Dundee – 21.12.24 |
Dundee United 0-0 Celtic – 22.12.24 |
|
Celtic 3-3 (5-4p) Rangers – 15.12.24 |
Celtic 3-3 (5-4p) Rangers – 15.12.24 |
|
Rangers 1-1 Tottenham – 12.12.24 |
Dinamo Zagreb 0-0 Celtic – 12.10.24 |
|
Earth |
TV channel/live broadcast |
|---|---|
|
Great Britain |
Sky Go UK, NOW, SKY GO Extra, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football, Sky Ultra HD |
|
United States |
fuboTV, CBS Sports Network |
|
Canada |
Celtic TV, RangersTV |
Central defender Leon Balogun received a knock against St. Mirren on Boxing Day and then missed Rangers’ 2-2 draw with Motherwell to close out 2024. Clement will be happy to welcome the defender back to the Old Firm, but Balogun remains a doubt.
The hosts are certain to be without captain James Tavernier after suffering a suspected hamstring injury at the weekend.
Rabbi Matondo returned to action on Sunday as he enjoyed an appearance off the bench after a long injury lay-off. He is unlikely to return to the Gers’ starting 11 here, but will be ready to make another appearance as a substitute.
The hosts are missing Tom Lawrence, Neraysho Kasanwirjo and John Souttar. Hamza Igamane will be called up to the XI after his successful performance on Sunday.
Rangers predicted the lineup against Celtic (4-2-3-1): Butland; Sterling, Balogun, King, Yilmaz; Diomande, Raskin; Cerny, Bajrami, Hagi; Igamane.
Celtic, like their hosts, do not have too many problems with injuries ahead of the new year. They are only prepared to be without James Forrest and Odin Thiago Holm for their trip to Ibrox.
It’s been a busy festive period for the runaway leaders, but Rodgers is unlikely to make major changes to the side that defeated St. Johnstone this weekend. Celtic will certainly be full of power here and Kyogo Furuhashi will be looking to continue his excellent record in this game.
Only Henrik Larsson and Kenny Miller have scored more Old Firm derby goals than the Japanese striker (eight).
Predicted line-up of Celtic against Rangers (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; Bernardo, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Kyogo, Maeda.
Rangers head into the competition in poor form and without much hope of catching their rivals at the top, but they recently proved in the Scottish League Cup final that they can compete with this Celtic side in one game.
The hosts will of course be buoyed by a fiery Ibrox, but the perennial champions have shown an impressive ability to win away to their fiercest rivals in recent years without much fanfare.
Celtic are a superb defense and are undoubtedly the superior team. That should show up again here.
Prediction: Rangers 0-2 Celtic
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