One of the most highly anticipated fixtures on the European football schedule takes place at Parkhead on Saturday as Celtic and Rangers meet in the 414th edition of the iconic Old Firm.
The day of reckoning that splits Glasgow in half, as the arch-rivals lock horns for the first time in 2022/23, will arguably be the headline event on British soil this weekend.
Defending Scottish Premiership champions Celtic thumped Dundee United 9-0 in their biggest-ever competitive away victory last weekend to maintain a 100% start to their title defence (W5).
With confidence and ambition for greatness oozing out from every pore, a rampant Ange Postecoglou’s side will take the field looking to continue their stellar league form and crush Rangers’ spirits.
That could prove a mammoth task, however, as the adrenaline still pumps through the Gers’ veins following their 3-2 aggregate triumph over PSV Eindhoven in their Champions League play-off tie.
Nothing short of outstanding will be required from Celtic if they are to knock their bitter rivals off their perch after the visitors returned to Europe’s elite competition for the first time since 2010/11.
Rangers are keen on recovering domestic supremacy after handing the title back to Celtic last season, with a five-game unbeaten start to the new campaign suggesting they mean business this term (W4, D1).
A 4-0 demolition of Ross County last time out served to keep Giovanni van Bronckohorst’s team only two points adrift of Celtic in the SPL table and bolster their spirits ahead of this gargantuan encounter.
Match Preview
Celtic
Celtic are unbeaten in their last three league meetings with Rangers (W2, D1) after suffering five defeats in six Scottish Premiership Old Firm editions beforehand (D1).
In addition to their promising run against the Gers, Postecoglou’s men have enjoyed a record-breaking start to the new top-flight season, netting a staggering 21 goals in their opening five matches.
Japanese forward Kyogo Furuhashi has become a talismanic figure at Parkhead, breaking the deadlock in Celtic’s last four league outings, all of which eventually yielded a win.
Rangers
Speaking of household personnel, Rangers captain James Tavernier is one goal away from smashing a 50-goal barrier in the Scottish Premiership as a Gers player.
Despite only scoring once in his 20 appearances against Celtic, the Gers’ long-serving skipper will be desperate to help his boss van Bronckhorst record his first victory in Old Firm at the fourth time of asking (D1, L2).
It goes beyond the Dutchman’s personal vendetta as Rangers’ only two defeats across their last 41 league fixtures have come at the hands of the Hoops (W30, D9).
Celtic vs Rangers Potential Line-ups
Celtic (4-3-3): Joe Hart; Greg Taylor, Carl Starfelt, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Josip Juranovic; Callum McGregor, Matthew O’Riley, David Turnbull; Jota, Kyogo Furuhashi, Liel Abada.
Rangers (4-2-3-1): Jon McLaughlin; Borna Barisic, James Sands, Connor Goldson, James Tavernier; John Lundstram, Tom Lawrence; Scott Wright, Fashion Sakala, Ryan Kent; Antonio Colak.
How to Watch?
Celtic vs Rangers, along with all other high-profile fixtures in Europe, are available to watch online via live football streams.
Celtic vs Rangers Prediction
Both managers will be banking on their sides’ tremendous attacking potential in this real clash of titans, which promises shooting galleries in front of both goalkeepers.
While Celtic’s defensive record of just one goal conceded from the opening five league games slightly betters Rangers’ haul of three, there’s a feeling that neither backline will boast a clean sheet at the final whistle.
We expect an enthralling, potentially high-scoring contest, with the Hoops more likely to come out on top.
Celtic 3-2 Rangers
