MY ACCOUNT
The first Old Firm derby of the season takes place on Saturday with fierce rivals Celtic and Rangers meeting in the Scottish Premiership.
With both sides set to play in Champions League next week, there will be an added incentive — if any was ever needed — to play well and get themselves ready for Europe.
Defending league champions Celtic have begun the season in fine form, winning all five of their matches so far, including a 9-0 annihilation of Dundee United on Sunday.
Rangers’ start to the campaign has been just short of perfect as they drew 2-2 at Hibernian in August, not helped by the fact they had both John Lundstram and Alfredo Morelos sent off.
Celtic vs Rangers (Saturday, 12:30)
Team news
Celtic have no new injury worries heading into the contest on home soil and Ange Postecoglou has an embarrassment of riches to choose from.
New signing Sead Haksabanovic made his debut as a substitute against Ross County in the League Cup in midweek and he will be pushing for a first start.
Postecoglou made several changes for the cup victory and is likely to go back to what he deems to be his first choice with Kyogo Furuhashi set to lead the line.
Rangers also made sweeping changes to their XI for the cup competition and Giovanni van Bronckhorst is also set to go back to the tried and tested first choice.
James Sands and Connor Goldson are expected to partner each other in defence with John Souttar and Ben Davies currently missing through injury.
Antonio Colak is set to be recalled to play up front, though fellow forward Morelos has completed his two-match ban and could feature.
Stats
Last season, the two could not be separated in terms of their Old Firm record — in five matches Celtic and Rangers triumphed twice each with a draw thrown in for good measure.
The Gers have had a good recent record in the Glasgow derby when it has taken place at Celtic Park, winning three of the last six matches.
However, the Hoops have become a real force in Scottish football under Postecoglou and have not lost a league match since September 2021 when going down 1-0 to Livingston.
Rangers meanwhile, saw their titles hopes diminish last season with two Old Firm defeats after the New Year.
Prediction
Celtic have scored 21 goals in five Scottish Premiership matches so far and although that figure has been embellished by the 9-0 hammering of Dundee United, it is still a very impressive total.
Moreover, they have let in only one goal so have proven to be very hard to break down.
However, Rangers are obviously the stiffest possible test they can face and the Gers can take heart from the fact they have had a good recent record against Celtic.
The Hoops though are looking ominously strong with Kyogo, in particular, making a very good start to the season — the Japan international has scored six goals in five games and could be a good shout to score anytime.
Each of the last three Glasgow derbies have seen both teams score and that trend should continue with Celtic just about coming on top.
