Celtic v Rangers LIVE: All the latest updates, pre-match thoughts and reaction to Old Firm clash
Going into today’s match, Ange Postecoglou’s reigning champions have a commanding nine-point lead over their city rivals at the league summit, while Rangers are on an impressive unbeaten run of their own under Michael Beale.
However, they haven’t had much joy at Celtic Park in recent years and return to the venue without a win in five previous visits. The Ibrox side must claim maximum points to stand any chance of overhauling the Hoops this season.
They will require a massive performance in front of a capacity 60,000 home crowd due to there being no away fans allowed inside the ground.
Celtic vs Rangers: All the latest updates, pre-match thoughts and reaction to Old Firm clash
Key Events
- Both teams are unbeaten in the league since the World Cup break
- Rangers have failed to win any of their last five matches at Celtic Park
- There will be no away supporters present at Parkhead
‘Win or bust’ for Rangers
Sky Sports pundit and former Celtic striker Andy Walker believes it’s “win or bust” for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership title race this afternoon.
“Beale has only had one transfer window and he’s made some changes to the team but he needs to make more. Celtic are stronger in pretty much every department.
“He has to come up with something that’s a bit different that Rangers fans can hang onto. You know what it’s like in Glasgow, if you’re second, you’re last. We’ve seen an improvement in Rangers and Beale needs at least one more transfer window where he has to be successful.
“You’ll always be compared to Celtic, look at what Postecoglou has done in the transfer market. Pretty much every signing has been a success, and that’s the very high bar that he has set.”
Match officials
Kevin Clancy is the referee who takes charge of today’s match. The experienced whistler is averaging 3.92 yellow cards per game, with 102 bookings and 8 red cards handed out in 25 matches so far this season. It is his first Old Firm match since August 2021, when Rangers ran out 1-0 winners at Ibrox, courtesy of Filip Helander’s second half header.
He is assisted by David McGeachie and Ross Macleod, with John Beaton named as the fourth official. Nick Walsh takes control of VAR duties, alongside assistant Daniel McFarlane.
Football Flashback
As we continue our countdown to kick-off, GlasgowWorld has delved through the derby day archives to pick out some iconic Old Firm incidents. Here, we re-visit the 1987 ‘shame game’ when Rangers and Celtic drew 2-2 at Ibrox.
Gianni & Jackson kitted out for derby day!
Hollywood star Samuel L Jackson was pictured posing with a Rangers shirt last month after he was spotted filming for his upcoming action thriller, Damaged, across various parts of the country.
The Pulp Fiction actor signed the top which is to be raffled off for two Scottish charities, The Emmie Smillie Charity FOundation and Kilbryde Hospice.
Ahead of today’s derby, he has been posing alongside Celtic superfan Gianni Capaldi wearing a Hoops’ 2022/23 Adidas DNA Track Jacket on Twitter.
Capaldi tweeted this morning: “Unleash the FURY. Cmon @CelticFC Big love from @OfficialGianni & a Jedi from the set of #Damaged.” #Celtic #Glasgow @FoundationCFC #SamuelLJackson
‘It’s the biggest derby in the world!'
Our football reporter, Lewis Anderson, was in attendance at Partick Thistle’s Championship clash against Queen’s Park at Firhill last night. He caught up with popular Scottish football YouTuber Sam North to preview the Old Firm derby. Listen to his thoughts here:
Hatate OUT for Celtic but Taylor and Mooy available
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou is without influential midfielder Reo Hatate for today’s match through injury. The Japanese star is joined on the sidelines by wingers Liel Abada and James Forrest. However, left-back Greg Taylor and Australian midfielder Aaron Mooy have provided a boost by declaring themselves FIT after picking up knocks in recent weeks. Here’s how we think the Hoops could line up this afternoon: https://www.glasgowworld.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-predicted-line-up-gallery-vs-rangers-one-change-as-reo-hatate-ruled-out-but-taylor-and-mooy-passed-fit-4093609
No away fans present
There will be NO away fans in attendance at Celtic Park this afternoon, meaning Ange Postecoglou’s side will have the full support of 60,000 supporters inside the stadium.
Rangers decision not to take up their allocation for today’s league match comes on “safety grounds” following discussions between the two clubs after Celtic informed their rivals they would not be taking up their tickets for the post-split fixture later this season.
Reduced allocations of between 700-800 supporters have proved harder to police than the previous wider access both clubs previously enjoyed. Celtic are believed to be working with other relevant parties to find a potential solution for future games.
Both teams will, however, receive a 50/50 split for the upcoming Scottish Cup semi-final tie at Hampden Park later this month.
Will fit-again Raskin and Cantwell start?
Rangers boss Michael Beale regrets his decision not to play January signings Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin from the outset during the Viaplay Cup final defeat to Celtic back in February. Will see see both players starting today? Here’s our predicted line-up: https://www.glasgowworld.com/sport/football/rangers/rangers-predicted-line-up-gallery-vs-celtic-one-change-as-nicolas-raskin-declared-fit-to-start-4093610
Good morning!
It’s Derby Day!
Good morning and welcome to our Scottish Premiership LIVE blog ahead of today’s powder-keg Old Firm showdown against Celtic and Rangers at Parkhead. Kick-off is at 12.30pm.
We will provide you with all the latest match updates, including the pre-match thoughts of both managers. Stay tuned to our coverage of today’s top-of-the-table clash in Glasgow’s East End.
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