Preview: Rangers vs Celtic - prediction, team news, lineups

Rangers and Celtic are set to meet in the first Old Firm derby of the 2025-26 season when they clash at Ibrox Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Both teams are heading into the encounter on the back of disappointing Champions League eliminations, with the Gers losing 9-1 on aggregate to Club Brugge, while the Bhoys were defeated on penalties by Kairat Almaty.

Match preview

Rangers entered this season hoping to close the gap on Celtic after a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, which saw them finish 17 points adrift in the Scottish Premiership and cycle through two managers, with Philippe Clement and Barry Ferguson each taking turns at the helm.

However, Russell Martin has failed to have the desired impact in his opening weeks as Gers manager, recording just three wins, four draws and three defeats in his first 10 games in charge.

That includes three draws in their first three Scottish Premiership fixtures, marking the first time since 1989 that Rangers have failed to win any of their opening three league games, leaving them already six points behind their Old Firm rivals.

Remarkably, that is far from Martin's most embarrassing achievement as Rangers manager, as the Gers suffered a humiliating 9-1 aggregate defeat to Club Brugge in the Champions League playoff qualifying round, including a disastrous 6-0 loss in the second leg.

Now heading into the first Old Firm derby with the pressure already building on his position at the club, Martin will be fully aware that his side must win to ease the tension heading into the international break.

The heat is also rising at Celtic Park following a lacklustre performance in the 0-0 Champions League playoff qualifying round aggregate draw with Kairat Almaty, with Celtic eventually eliminated on penalties, meaning they will join Rangers in the Europa League league phase.

Celtic fans and Brendan Rodgers have been calling for further investment throughout the summer, especially following the sale of one of last season's stars Nicolas Kuhn, but dropping out of the Champions League will further reduce their spending power heading into the final days of the window.

Regardless of their Champions League elimination and underwhelming summer spending, Celtic have enjoyed a flawless start in the Scottish Premiership, sitting top of the table as the only team to have won all of their first three games, while they are also yet to concede.

Those results leave Celtic heading into the Old Firm derby without defeat in their last 11 domestic matches inside 90 minutes, with their last normal time defeat coming against St Johnstone in April.

Despite their impressive run of results, the Bhoys have struggled against Rangers in recent meetings, having lost two and drawn one of their last three encounters.

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:

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Rangers form (all competitions):

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Celtic Scottish Premiership form:

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Celtic form (all competitions):

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Team News

Rangers are set to remain without Dujon Sterling, who has been ruled out until early 2026, while the rest of the squad should be available for selection.

Martin is expected to make several changes from the team that lost 6-0 to Club Brugge, with captain James Tavernier expected to return to the starting side, while Nicolas Raskin, Mohammed Diomande, Cyriel Dessers and Mikey Moore could all also feature from the start.

Meanwhile, Celtic will remain without Alistair Johnston, Auston Trusty and Jota for the first Old Firm derby of the season, but there are no new injury concerns for Rodgers to contend with.

Adam Idah has had an underwhelming start to the new campaign, meaning Daizen Maeda could continue in attack, with James Forrest and Yang Hyun-jun also anticipated to start.

Further back, Kieran Tierney should feature in his first Old Firm derby since 2019, with Liam Scales, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Anthony Ralston all also expected to remain in the team.

Rangers possible starting lineup:

Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Djiga, Meghoma; Cameron, Diomande, Raskin; Moore, Dessers, Gassama

Celtic possible starting lineup:

Schmeichel; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney; Nygren, McGregor, Hatate; Forrest, Maeda, Hyun-jun

We say: Rangers 0-2 Celtic

Although Celtic have struggled against Rangers in recent encounters, the Bhoys have been flawless in the league, while Rangers have endured a disastrous start to the 2025-26 campaign, making another defeat on Sunday likely for the hosts.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.