Rangers vs Celtic predictions as Football Scotland writers have their say on crunch derby day
It's just the one point between the rivals.
It may not quite yet be for ALL the marbles, but Sunday’s derby between Rangers and Celtic will go a long way towards which club wins the league this season.
It’s just the one point between the rivals with the Hoops leading the way for now, albeit Gers have a game in hand. It’s arguably the biggest fixture of the season for both sides with a lot on the line with both Philippe Clement and Brendan Rodgers facing big personnel decisions.
Up front for the hosts will be an interesting one with Cyriel Dessers primed but Kemar Roofe shot a reminder of his record against his foes and their manager will know who’s trained best.
Mark Hendry
Celtic need Callum McGregor back if they’re to win this one. For me it’s as simple as that. Paulo Bernardo has been fine and Tomoki Iwata has done well since deputising for the captain but with Reo Hatate back in the midfield, the skipper is the perfect foil. It’s too big a match in the season to be without McGregor’s influence and without him I reckon it’ll be a tough 90 minutes.
That being said, Brendan Rodgers just seems to know how to beat Rangers and Philippe Clement hasn’t won this derby yet. The strikers – needless to say – will have a massive say and it’ll come down to whether Kyogo or Cyriel Dessers is more switched on.
The way the season’s gone I can only imagine it’ll be an exciting draw that keeps fans on tenterhooks for the rest of the run-in.
Prediction: Rangers 2-2 Celtic
Ryan McDonald
15 games, 12 victories, two draws and one defeat. Brendan Rodgers is the most successful manager in Old Firm history with an incredible win rate of 80 per cent. And I’m tipping the Celtic manager to mastermind another famous derby victory at Ibrox on Sunday.
The Hoops treatment room has finally been cleared out and Rodgers has a full squad to choose from for the first time since his Parkhead return. Reo Hatate and Cameron Carter-Vickers will be unleashed against Rangers for the first time this season, and with Callum McGregor also available, I think the reigning champions will make it three-in-a-row over their great rivals.
It’ll be tight and Daizen Maeda and Greg Taylor will be tasked with keeping the phenomenal James Tavernier at bay. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cyriel Dessers break his Glasgow derby goal duck either, but Celts will still be too strong on the day.
Prediction: Rangers 1-2 Celtic
Blair Meikle
Brendan Rodgers has a history of getting results from this fixture, even this season when Celtic haven’t been at their best.
