Celtic v Rangers: team news, referee details, KO time and where to watch

Celtic face theRangers in the second Glasgow Derby match of the season at Paradise. The Scottish Champions are five points clear of Rangers, who have two games in hand, meaning that this could be a pivotal clash in the race for the Cinch Premiership title.

Brendan Rodgers’ side won the first meeting between the pair back in September thanks to a goal from Kyogo. The run-up to that game pitched theRangers as being favourites for that particular clash and the narrative around the Ibrox side is similar in the build-up to this game.

Team News

Celtic go into the game with Reo Hatate and Liel Abada both fit and available for selection; however, Brendan will need to win without Cameron Carter-Vickers, who is unavailable after picking up a hamstring injury in the win at Dens Park. Celtic will likely be without Tomoki Iwata, who has not been in the last three matchday squads following his injury against Feyenoord.

In goals, Joe Hart will start. The Englishman kept a clean sheet at Ibrox and hopefully he will show his quality if required.

In defence, Celtic will likely call upon Stephen Welsh to replace Carter-Vickers after Rodgers praised the Scotsman in his pre-match media conference. Welsh will likely partner Liam Scales in the heart of the defence with Maik Nawrocki, Nat Phillips and Gustaf Lagerbielke all seemingly below Welsh in the manager’s pecking order.

In midfield, Paulo Bernardo will likely continue in the third midfield role alongside skipper Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley. Hatate will likely start from the bench and hope that he can influence the game in some fashion if called upon.

In attack, Kyogo will start through the middle with Daizen Maeda and Luis Palma in the wide areas with Abada ready and waiting to make his impact felt from the bench.

Predicted XI: Hart; Johnston, Welsh, Scales, Taylor; McGregor, O’Riley, Bernardo; Maeda, Kyogo, Palma.

Match Officials

Nick Walsh will take charge of the fixture, having refereed the League Cup Final back in February, that Celtic won 2-1. Walsh will be assisted by Graeme Stewart and Calum Spence. Meanwhile, at Clydesdale House, Wullie Collum is on VAR. The veteran whistler will be assisted by Daniel McFarlane.

Kick Off Time

The game kicks off at 12:30pm (Celtic Park Time).

Where to Watch

The game will be shown on Sky Sports Football with coverage starting at 11:30am. The match will also be available to Celtic TV subscribers based outside of Britain and Ireland.

Come on Celtic.

🟢 DERBY DAY ⚪️

🆚 Rangers
🏆 #cinchPrem
⌚ 12:30pm
🏟️ Celtic Park
💻 Live outside UK & IRE on @CelticTV
📺 Live on @ScotlandSky #CELRAN | #COYBIG 🍀 pic.twitter.com/Zrho7qdOQF

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) December 30, 2023