The upcoming encounter at Ibrox marks the season's inaugural Old Firm clash, with a place in the League Cup semi‑final hanging in the balance. Rangers will host Celtic on Sunday, and the two sides will meet again a week later in a Scottish Premiership fixture that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Celtic have enjoyed a flawless start to their league campaign, winning all six of their matches so far, while Rangers have found their rhythm after a tentative opening, securing victory in each of their last four games. However, the stakes go well beyond simple bragging rights. Rangers have not lifted a trophy since their 2024 triumph, and the Glasgow giants are eager to reclaim the domestic silverware that slipped through their fingers last season.
The managerial duel adds another layer of intrigue. Derek McInnes, now 55, will be on the touchline for Rangers, having previously faced Martin O'Neill's Celtic side 61 times as a manager, emerging victorious on ten occasions. McInnes tasted Old Firm success as a player for the Gers, but this will be his first experience directing a team in the heated derby.
O'Neill, on the other hand, is a seasoned Old Firm veteran. In his 28 meetings with Rangers, the Northern Irishman has secured 16 wins, underscoring his familiarity with the pressure and intensity of the fixture.
Selection dilemmas will dominate the pre‑match talk. With captain Lawrence Shankland and striker Youssef Chermiti unavailable, McInnes must decide who will lead the line.
Ryan Naderi retained his place after scoring the winner against Motherwell in a substitute appearance and completed the full 90 minutes in the mid‑week victory over St Mirren. Yet it was Bojan Miovski, also coming off the bench, who found the net with the solitary goal. Could the former Aberdeen forward earn a starting berth on Sunday?
Another name in the mix is Kevin Kelsy, who arrived from the Portland Timbers for a reported £9 million fee. Despite making several appearances, Kelsy has yet to open his account for Rangers. The heightened atmosphere of an Old Firm game could provide the catalyst for his breakthrough, and McInnes will be weighing his potential impact against the more proven options. Celtic's manager, Martin O'Neill, made five changes to the lineup that secured a win at St Johnstone, resting several key figures ahead of the derby.
Camilo Duran, the six‑goal scorer this season, is expected to re‑enter the starting eleven after O'Neill admitted the team missed his presence in Perth. Duran replaced Haissem Hassan and operated on the right flank, while Kasper Høgh, returning from injury, was deployed centrally.
The question now is whether O'Neill will drop the Danish midfielder in favour of Duran in the heart of the attack, or perhaps field both to maximise creativity. Defensive selections also draw attention.
Cameron Carter‑Vickers sat out the mid‑week game after featuring in every match up to this point, while Dane Murray filled the void admirably. O'Neill must decide whether to revert to the experienced Carter‑Vickers or continue with Murray’s youthful energy.
In goal, loanee Sam Johnstone was chosen over regular starter Viljami Sinisalo and produced a crucial save to keep the score level at 0‑0. Given his performance and the clean sheet, O'Neill may stick with the England international for the hostile Ibrox environment. Ticketing controversy adds another wrinkle.
Authorities have mandated that only Rangers supporters may occupy the 50,000‑seat stadium for the quarter‑final, following a dispute over away‑fan allocations. Previously, both clubs had agreed on a five‑percent allocation for away supporters at all SPFL venues. However, after fan clashes following their Scottish Cup meeting in March and an independent review, the arrangement was scrapped.
Celtic have previously won at Govan without any of their own fans present, suggesting the lack of a Parkhead contingent may not significantly affect the result this time. Both managers have offered their perspectives ahead of the showdown. McInnes emphasised the importance of harnessing the full capacity crowd: "We need to bring the 50,000 behind us, give the players support and make it as difficult as possible for Celtic. If we capitalise on our chances and get ahead, the strength of our club will be evident." O'Neill, meanwhile, expressed a mixture of nerves and excitement, noting the oddity of playing without away fans but trusting that the atmosphere would still be electric: "It’ll be strange not having any of our fans in the area, but the atmosphere will take care of itself." Beyond the tactical and emotional narratives, the match carries broader implications for the season.
A win for Rangers could reignite their quest for silverware and restore confidence after a trophy‑free spell, while Celtic will aim to add another domestic cup to their collection and maintain momentum in the league. The fixture also serves as a barometer for both managers' strategies as they navigate squad rotation, injury management, and the psychological weight of one of football's fiercest rivalries.
In summary, Sunday's Old Firm clash promises a blend of strategic chess, individual brilliance, and the raw passion that defines Glasgow football. Whether it will be a tightly contested battle, a showcase for emerging talent like Kelsy or Duran, or a decisive step toward a trophy for either side remains to be seen, but the stakes, the history, and the fervour ensure it will be a match to remember.