Rangers are unbeaten in three meetings with Celtic at Ibrox, last enjoying a longer streak, in front of supporters, in 2012, just prior to their liquidation.
The last nine Glasgow derbies have witnessed 32 goals, that's a goal every 27 minutes on average, so could another high-scoring Old Firm be on the cards?
Rangers vs Celtic preview
Ahead of the first Old Firm of the season, Glasgow's giants were both humiliated in Champions League qualifying this week, so both sets of supporters are demanding a response from their side.
For Rangers, the start to this season has been an unmitigated disaster. On Wednesday night, having already lost the first leg 3-1 at home, the Gers were steamrollered 6-0 by Club Brugge at Jan Breydelstadion, thankful the Belgian club relented in the 50th minute. This is the first time the Light Blues have conceded 9+ goals in a two-legged European tie for 65 years.
This has cranked up the pressure on manager Russell Martin, who has only had ten games in charge across all competition, because Rangers' start to the Premiership season has also been terrible. So far, the Gers have drawn all three matches 1-1, held to stalemates by Motherwell, Dundee and St Mirren, requiring a late equaliser from teenager Findlay Curtis to pinch a point in Paisley last Sunday. Thus, defeat here could mean the title race is all over on the final day of August, and could see Martin become the shortest-serving manager in the club's 153-year history.
As for Celtic, they too crashed out of Champions League qualifying this week, arguably doing so in even more embarrassing fashion. The Hoops took on Kazakh champions Kairat and, after over three and a half hours of play, neither side had made the breakthrough, meaning penalties were required in Almaty. Adam Idah and Luke McCowan both saw their attempts saved meaning, by the time Daizen Maeda also failed to convert from 12 yards, the Kairat faithful were celebrating a massive upset.
Domestically, as is always the case with Brendan Rodgers at the helm, everything is going swimmingly for the Hoops. Last weekend, they swatted aside Livingston 3-0 at Parkhead, Benjamin Nygren bagging a brace, maintaining their perfect start to the Premiership campaign, previously beating St Mirren and Aberdeen, thereby yet to concede in the league. Thus, another victory here would leave Celtic nine points clear of their Glasgow rivals already, but the Hoops' Old Firm record last season was very underwhelming, failing to win any of their last four encounters (excluding shootouts). Thus, the latest instalment of the Old Firm derby on Sunday is so tough to call.
Rangers vs Celtic head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 446.
- Rangers Wins: 171. Draws: 105. Celtic Wins: 170.
Rangers team news
Hamza Igamane's move to Lille was confirmed on Friday, while Russell Martin has made ten new signings this summer, so plenty will get their first Old Firm expirence.
Up front, Cyriel Dessers has missed the last four matches due to a knee injury suffered against Viktoria Plzeň, an unused substitute in Brugge, so Danilo is set to once again lead the line.
On Wednesday, Martin boldly left captain James Tavernier as well as midfield star Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomandé on the bench, all three were introduced before half time, so how many will start this time? Lastly, Nasser Djiga can return, having served his one-match ban against St Mirren, while Max Aarons' red card in mid-week only results in a suspension for UEFA competition.
Rangers predicted lineup vs Celtic: (4-3-3): Butland; Tavernier, Djiga, Souttar, Aarons; Raskin, Diomandé, Cameron; Antman, Gassama, Danilo.
Rangers player to watch vs Celtic
Djeidi Gassama has been a rare bright spot in an otherwise miserable couple of week for Rangers, scoring four times in the early rounds of Champions League qualifying against Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzeň, so now would be a good time for him to open his Premiership account.
Celtic team news
As for Celtic, Scottish Cup Final hero from a couple of seasons ago Adam Idah has now gone, joining Swansea for £7 million, leaving Brendan Rodgers with no obvious centre-forward option.
Thus, as was the case in Almaty on Tuesday, Daizen Maeda will lead the line. It was Yang Hyun-Jun and James Forrest flanking him in mid-week, but could there be a new face, with supporters hoping to see Michel-Ange Balikwisha thrown straight in, following his £4.5 million move from Royal Antwerp?
At the back, Auston Trusty is a doubt while, in midfield, Rodgers does have options, likely to once again favour summer signing Benjamin Nygren over Arne Engels, Paulo Bernardo or Luke McCowan. Lastly, right-back Alistair Johnston suffered a long-term hamstring injury during the first leg against Kairat, so Anthony Ralston will continue to deputise at right-back.
Celtic predicted lineup vs Rangers: (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Nygren, Hatate; Forrest, Balikwisha, Maeda.
Celtic player to watch vs Rangers
Daizen Maeda converted the winning spot-kick during the League Cup Final between the pair back in December, netting five times against Rangers to date, including scoring after just 21 seconds at Ibrox back in April 2024, so will the Japanese forward be the hero for the away side in Govan?
Rangers vs Celtic prediction
Both of these two teams are a mess right now, but Rangers are much more of a mess, so we are backing Celtic to depart Ibrox with three points on Sunday, albeit not confidently: Rangers 1-2 Celtic.
Rangers vs Celtic FAQs - Scottish Premiership
How to watch Rangers vs Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on TV channel?
Rangers vs Celtic in the Scottish Premiership will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Sky Sports Football.
- USA: CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ & fuboTV.
- Canada: Rangers TV & Celtic TV.
How to watch Rangers vs Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on live streaming?
Rangers vs Celtic in the Scottish Premiership will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: SkyGo & NOW TV.
- USA: CBS Sports Network, Paramount+ & fuboTV.
- Canada: Rangers TV & Celtic TV.
What is the date and kick-off time for Rangers vs Celtic in the Scottish Premiership?
Rangers vs Celtic takes place on Sunday 31 August 2025, with kick off at 12:00 (BST), 7:00 (EDT) & 4:00 (PDT).