The upcoming clash between Rangers and Celtic marks the first Old Firm encounter of the campaign, and a place in the League Cup semi‑final is on the line. The match will be staged at Ibrox on Sunday, with another Scottish Premiership fixture between the two Glasgow giants scheduled a week later in the city, both games set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Celtic have enjoyed a flawless start to the league, winning all six of their opening matches, while Rangers have found form after a sluggish opening, securing victories in their last four games. Yet the stakes extend far beyond bragging rights. Rangers have not lifted a trophy since 2024, and Celtic are eager to reclaim the sole domestic honour that slipped from their grasp last season.
The tactical battle will feature seasoned managers on both sides. Derek McInnes, now 55, will be back in the dugout for his first Old Firm encounter as a manager. He previously faced Martin O'Neill in last season’s Premiership title decider, a match that ended in a heartbreaking defeat for McInnes while he was still at Hearts.
Over his career, McInnes has overseen 61 Old Firm meetings, emerging victorious on ten occasions. As a player, he tasted success in his lone Old Firm appearance for the Gers, but this Sunday will be his inaugural experience directing the team from the technical area. Martin O'Neill, the Northern Irish veteran, brings a wealth of experience in the derby. In his 28 fixtures against Rangers, he has guided Celtic to 16 wins, a record that underscores his familiarity with the pressure and intensity of the rivalry.
Rangers will need to make crucial decisions about their attacking line‑up, especially given the absence of captain Lawrence Shankland and striker Youssef Chermiti. Ryan Naderi retained his place after scoring the winner against Motherwell in a substitute appearance, and he completed the full 90 minutes in the mid‑week victory over St Mirren.
However, it was Bojan Miovski who found the net in that game, prompting speculation about whether the former Aberdeen forward could earn a start. Another option for McInnes is Kevin Kelsy, who made his first start since his £9 million move from the Portland Timbers.
Although Kelsy has yet to open his scoring account for Rangers, the magnitude of an Old Firm match could provide the platform for him to make a breakthrough. Celtic’s manager O'Neill made five alterations to the side that defeated St Johnstone, resting several key figures ahead of the weekend showdown. Camilo Duran, who has already netted six goals this season, is expected to return to the starting eleven after O'Neill admitted the team missed his contributions in Perth.
Duran came on as a substitute for Haissem Hassan in that game, operating on the right flank, while Kasper Høgh, back from injury, was deployed centrally. The selection dilemma for O'Neill revolves around whether to drop the Dane in favour of Duran in the central attacking role, or to field both players together at Ibrox.
Additionally, centre‑back Cameron Carter‑Vickers was rested after starting every match this season, giving Dane Murray a chance to fill the void. The question now is whether O'Neill will revert to the experienced Carter‑Vickers when the stakes are highest.
In goal, Wolves loanee Sam Johnstone was preferred over regular starter Viljami Sinisalo and produced a fine 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 atmosphere of Ibrox. Ticketing has become a contentious issue.
Authorities have limited attendance to Rangers supporters only for the 50,000‑capacity Ibrox, following a dispute over ticket allocations between the two clubs. Previously, both sides had agreed that a five‑percent away allocation would apply to all SPFL fixtures at each ground.
However, after fan clashes following their Scottish Cup meeting in March and an independent review, those arrangements were revised. Celtic have previously won at Govan without any of their own fans present, suggesting the lack of an away contingent may not dramatically affect the outcome, though it will undoubtedly alter the atmosphere. Rangers manager Derek McInnes addressed the situation in a pre‑match press conference: "We have to bring the crowd with us. You can't dominate Celtic for the full ninety minutes; there will be spells on both sides.
It's vital we harness the energy of 50,000 supporters behind us, give the players confidence, and make it as difficult as possible for Celtic. If we can capitalise on our chances, as we missed against Motherwell, and get ahead, the crowd will have something to rally behind, and the strength of our club will shine through. Utilising the full capacity of Ibrox will make us a tough side to stop." Celtic boss Martin O'Neill echoed a similar sentiment, albeit with a note of unease about the empty stands: "I'm looking forward to it in the usual way—nervously, excitedly. It's a great fixture.
It will feel strange not having any away fans in the area; I always thought that would give a crumb of comfort, but it is what it is. The police gave us a brief reminder about behaviour, which is timely. Overall, it's about the picture—having something to celebrate would be nice. The games themselves almost take care of themselves.
The atmosphere at Ibrox was deafening when we were down 2‑0 early, and the split‑time vibe was fantastic. It will be odd without the fans, but the atmosphere will sort itself out." Both managers recognise that beyond tactics and personnel, the psychological edge provided by supporters can be decisive. With Rangers hoping to end a silverware drought and Celtic aiming to restore a missing domestic trophy, the encounter promises high drama, tactical nuance, and the timeless intensity that defines the Old Firm rivalry.
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