The upcoming Old Firm clash on Sunday promises to be a decisive moment for both clubs as they vie for supremacy in the Scottish Premiership. On one side, Derek McInnes will be looking to cement his early success at Rangers with another win, while on the other, veteran Martin O'Neill will be desperate to halt a worrying dip in form and keep his side eight points clear of their rivals.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, just a week after Rangers sent a strong signal by lifting the League Cup with a convincing victory. That triumph seemed to lift the fog that had briefly settled over Ibrox following a rocky start to McInnes's tenure, where doubts lingered about his ability to deliver silverware after a sluggish domestic opening and a failure to qualify for Europe. Yet the tactical masterclass he displayed against Celtic in the cup semi‑final, where he deployed a fluid 3‑5‑2 that suffocated the Glasgow giants, has turned the tide in his favour. If he can replicate that intensity at Celtic Park, Rangers could find themselves only two points behind the champions.
Celtic, meanwhile, are in a far more precarious position. O'Neill, now 74, guided the Hoops to a domestic double not long ago, rescuing a season that seemed destined for disappointment. However, the euphoria was short‑lived.
A 3‑0 loss to LASK knocked them out of the Champions League, and recent setbacks – a 3‑0 defeat to Rangers in the League Cup and a 3‑1 loss to Ferencváros in the Europa League – have dented confidence. The manager openly admitted that the squad’s belief has taken a hit, and the pressure from a fan base accustomed to dominance is palpable. Celtic will head into the international break still perched at the top of the table, but back‑to‑back defeats at the hands of their fiercest rivals are unacceptable for a club that has ruled Scottish football for decades.
O'Neill’s task is not simply to pick a starting XI; he must address five critical areas of concern before Sunday’s showdown. The only positions he can name with certainty are captain Callum McGregor in midfield, the dynamic Benjamin Nygren, top scorer Camilo Duran, fan‑favorite left‑back Kieran Tierney, reliable centre‑back Cameron Carter‑Vickers, and promising academy graduate Colby Donovan. In goal, Sam Johnstone’s shaky debut against Rangers saw him replaced by former number one Viljami Sinisalo for the Europa League tie, leaving O'Neill with a decision to make. At left centre‑back, Liam Scales and Auston Trusty have been alternating, but Scales has started the last two games in that role.
In midfield, McGregor was left exposed as a lone pivot in the previous fixture, prompting speculation that O'Neill might bring in Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain to partner him, shifting the formation from a single defensive midfielder plus two attacking mids to a double‑pivot with a more advanced playmaker. On the right wing, Haissem Hassan, who impressed after his summer move from Real Oviedo, was omitted last week and will likely be in contention, especially if Rangers opt for a three‑man defence that could leave space for his pace. Up front, the club‑record signing Kasper Høgh has struggled to find the net, scoring only once in seven appearances.
He was benched against Ferencváros to allow Duran to operate in his preferred No 9 role, and dislodging the Colombian may prove difficult. Should Høgh remain on the bench, the left‑wing spot could be contested between James Forrest and Sebastian Tounekti.
Rangers, on the other hand, have a clear game plan that worked brilliantly at Ibrox. McInnes used left‑back James Penrice as an auxiliary midfielder, flooding the centre of the pitch and allowing his side to press Celtic man‑for‑man.
Wing‑backs Djeidi Gassama and Min‑Su Kim provided width and relentless energy, while a trio of defenders – Dujon Sterling, Emmanuel Fernandez and Olwethu Makhanya – held a compact three‑against‑three shape against Celtic’s attacking line. This aggressive approach forced Celtic into a defensive shell, and Dan Neil seized the midfield spotlight, outmuscling McGregor and scoring two crucial derby goals. Looking ahead to Celtic Park, the atmosphere will be markedly different, with no away supporters permitted due to a ticket allocation dispute between the two Glasgow clubs. This could give Rangers an added psychological edge, but McInnes may still tweak his setup.
He started the previous match with two strikers and could consider adding another body in midfield. The decision could involve Ryan Naderi or Kevin Kelsy in the No 9 slot. Kelsy, who netted his first Rangers goal last weekend, poses a constant threat, while Naderi, who supplied the assist, is a doubt because of an ankle issue. Bojan Miovski, a former Aberdeen player familiar with the intensity of Celtic Park, also remains an option.
If McInnes manages to replicate his tactical brilliance, he would become the first manager since Walter Smith in 1991 to win his first two Old Firm encounters. Such a feat would not only solidify his standing at Rangers but also widen the gap with Celtic, making the title race even more one‑sided. Both managers have spoken candidly about the stakes. O'Neill reminded his players that while they are far from rock bottom, they must seize the opportunity to extend their lead, emphasizing that a win would reinforce confidence, whereas a third consecutive loss would be a psychological blow.
He stressed the need for collective effort and highlighted that the team has the capacity to turn things around after a poor showing against Dundee United earlier in the season. McInnes, meanwhile, cautioned against over‑analyzing tactics, insisting that individual moments and player performance are the true determinants of success. He praised the aggression and confidence displayed in the previous game and urged his squad to bring that same intensity to Celtic Park, noting that a win there requires every player to be at his best.
In summary, Sunday’s Old Firm fixture is more than a routine league game; it is a litmus test for two contrasting narratives. Rangers are on the cusp of translating early-season promise into tangible progress, while Celtic are fighting to halt a worrying slide and preserve their long‑standing dominance. The outcome will shape the trajectory of the Scottish Premiership title race and could set the tone for the remainder of the season.