Rangers vs Celtic preview: Team news, lineups, prediction
Rangers are set to host Celtic in what will be the last Old Firm derby of the 2024/25 campaign on Sunday.
Barry Ferguson’s side come into the match aiming to dampen Celtic’s celebrations after they won their 55th Scottish Premiership title last weekend.
While neither team has anything to play for, pride and bragging rights are no doubt at stake.
Now, after last weekend’s 2-2 draw against St. Mirren, Ferguson will be aiming to end Rangers’ winless run.
Preview
There has been plenty of debate going into the Old Firm match. Discussions have been held on whether Rangers should give Celtic a guard of honour now that they are champions.
However, there have been more revelations off the pitch, with the 49ers now extremely close to completing their takeover of Rangers.
As a result, the match could be Ferguson’s last Old Firm derby in charge of the team, as his future remains unclear.
With the Gers now without a win in their last three Scottish Premiership matches, Ferguson will be aiming to end this run and prove why he should be in charge beyond this season.
Form guide (Scottish Premiership)
Rangers: WWLDD
Celtic: LWLWW
Team news
Ferguson will definitely be without Findlay Curtis after his recent injury blow. Tom Lawrence is also a doubt after missing the last few matches with an unspecified knock
Ross McCausland will be available again for Rangers now that he has served his one-match suspension for his red card against Aberdeen.
| Rangers’ injuries | Celtic’s injuries |
| Findlay Curtis | Jota |
| Tom Lawrence | Kasper Schmeichel |
| Dujon Sterling | Yang Hyun-Jun |
| Leon Balogun | |
| Neraysho Kasanwirjo | |
| Ridvan Yilmaz |
Ferguson also looks set to be without Dujon Sterling, Leon Balogun, Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Ridvan Yilmaz.
For Celtic, Jota, Kasper Schmeichel and Yang Hyun-nun will all be out for the match.
Predicted lineups
Rangers: Kelly, Tavernier, Propper, Souttar, Nsiala, Jefte, Raskin, Barron, Cerny, Dessers, Bajrami
Celtic: Sinisalo, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, Engels, McGregor, Hatate, Kuhn, Maeda, Idah
Prediction: Rangers 2-2 Celtic
Sunday’s game will no doubt be a challenge. Celtic will have their tails up after the 5-0 victory over Dundee United and will be looking to strike a killer blow against their rivals.
Rangers’ form coming into the match also doesn’t help the situation and is certainly a cause for concern.
However, if Ferguson can get his side playing like they did against Athletic Bilbao, they have every chance of getting a result.
The crowd at Ibrox will also be up for the match, so there is every chance that Rangers can earn a 2-2 draw against their Old Firm rivals.