Celtic secured their 55th Scottish Premiership title in April, a milestone that brings them level with rivals Rangers for the most league titles in history. Now, fresh off their championship celebration, Celtic travels to Glasgow to face Rangers in the latest installment of the iconic Old Firm derby. Brendan Rodgers` side has demonstrated remarkable dominance this season, holding a significant 17-point advantage over their rivals. A victory in this high-stakes match would be another feather in the cap for Rodgers during his impressive tenure at Celtic.
While their Champions League campaign didn`t see them advance, Celtic showed competitive spirit, challenging teams like Bayern Munich in the playoff stage. This indicates their ongoing efforts to re-establish themselves as a significant force in European football, alongside their continued supremacy in Scotland. Rangers, on the other hand, have substantial work ahead to close the gap on their rivals. Winning this crucial derby match on their home ground would represent a vital step in the right direction for them.
Match Information
Here are the key details for watching the game:
- Date: Sunday, May 4
- Time: 7 a.m. ET
- Location: Ibrox Stadium — Glasgow, Scotland
- TV: CBS Sports Network
- Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Rangers +245; Draw +265; Celtic -106
Last Meeting Overview
In their most recent encounter at Celtic Park in March, Rangers pulled off a dramatic 3-2 victory. After finding themselves two goals down in the first half, Rangers mounted a comeback, capped by an 88th-minute winner. This decisive goal originated from a long assist by goalkeeper Jack Butland to Hamza Igamane. Rangers will undoubtedly be looking to replicate this winning performance when they host the derby at Ibrox.
Coaches` Perspectives
Traditionally, the champions might receive a guard of honor from their opponents. However, due to the intense and emotional nature of the Old Firm rivalry, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers isn`t anticipating this gesture from Rangers at Ibrox.
“The guard of honor thing, it`s not a rule, that`s the first thing I would say. It`s not in the rules that you have to do it,” Rodgers commented. “And I think that when two clubs and the rivalry are so emotional, it`s always difficult for the team that comes up short.”
Rodgers stated he was “relaxed either way on it,” viewing it as a tradition rather than a requirement. He also expressed a preference for maintaining football traditions, acknowledging that many are fading from the game. While Celtic`s full title celebration might need to wait, the prospect of denying Celtic a guard of honor adds an extra layer of motivation for the Rangers squad.
Predicted Lineups
Rangers: Liam Kelly, Robin Propper, Clinton Nsiala, James Tavernier, Bailey Rice, Jefte, Mohamed Diomande, Cyriel Dessers, Hamza Igamane
Celtic: Viljami Sinisalo, Anthony Ralston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Greg Taylor, Callum McGregor, Arne Engles, Reo Hatate, Nicolas Kuhn, Daizen Maeda, Adam Idah
Player to Watch
Keep a close eye on Celtic forward Daizen Maeda. As the season concludes, Maeda is currently tied with Simon Murray for the Scottish Premiership Golden Boot with 16 goals. This match presents a golden opportunity for him to potentially pull ahead. It`s also worth noting that his teammates, Nicolas Kuhn (13 goals) and Adam Idah (10 goals), are also contenders for the top scorer spot, highlighting Celtic`s formidable attacking depth this season.
Key Storyline
The central narrative for Rangers in this match is whether they can successfully protect their home ground at Ibrox. Beyond the potential absence of a guard of honor, Rangers must demonstrate they won`t simply concede to the champions. Historically, Old Firm matches have often favored the home side. Rangers` win at Celtic Park in March was a rare instance of the away team triumphing in recent times. This fact, however, will only serve to fuel Celtic`s motivation. Even with the title secured, Brendan Rodgers will ensure his team plays with intense pride, aiming to defeat their historic rivals on their own turf.
Match Prediction
Expect Celtic to assert their dominance early in the match and hold onto their lead. With players like Daizen Maeda pushing for individual honors like the Golden Boot, Celtic will likely create numerous scoring opportunities. This could lead to a comfortable victory for the visitors, leaving Rangers with significant questions to address during the upcoming offseason as they look up at their rivals in the league standings.
Our Pick: Rangers 1, Celtic 3
