Celtic are at Ibrox today for the first of our two Sunday double-headers again the club Charles Green founded back in the summer of 2012…
Martin O’Neill’s side, who played a tough European match in Stuttgart in Thursday night, will be looking to match that victory on German soil with a similar outcome at Ibrox as the Scottish Premiership title race really heats up. Hearts won yesterday against Aberdeen and Derek McInnes will watch today’s game with interest knowing that regardless of the outcome there is some benefit in it for his side. He’d probably prefer the game to end in a draw meaning that both of his West coast title rivals drop points.
Celtic need to win to keep matters in our own hands and a victory today and then again on Wednesday night against Aberdeen in that re-arranged fixture at Pittodrie would reduce the Hearts lead to three points with the Tynecastle side having to visit Celtic Park after the split. That would also push Celtic four points ahead of theRangers who have to visit both Tynecastle and Celtic Park post split.
So the stakes are super high today with neither side in the Glasgow Derby being able to take a defeat if their time chances have to remain better than remote.
Celtic Team News
Martin O’Neill on his 74th birthday had several team selection dilemmas to consider since the final whistle against VfB Stuttgart. Viljami Sinisalo and Dane Murray both impressed and gave the Celtic manager plenty of reasons to keep them in the side. Kasper Schmeichel’s form and perhaps fitness has not been what it once was and he was culpable for some poorly conceded goals at Rugby Park and in the first leg of the Europa League play-off with VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park. He sits out today’s match with Ross Doohan on the bench.
Sinisalo keeps the gloves
Sinisalo has already played in a Glasgow Derby at Ibrox so will not be fazed by the hateful atmosphere. Sinisalo keeps the gloves. Dane Murray played in Stuttgart and impressed enough to retain his place, this time alongside Liam Scales in the absence of the suspended Auston Trusty.
At right back Julian Araujo’s absence from the trip to Germany was tactical with today in mind while Dane Murray retains his place with Liam Scales and Kieran Tierney both coming back after being rested in Germany.
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain starts alongside Callum McGregor and Benjamin Nygren and up front the manager has Junior Adamu through the middle with Cvancara on the bench. On the wings Martin has decided which two start and while Daizen Maeda traditionally does very well against theRangers and Yang with Sebastian Tounekti likely to be involved today from the bench.
The Celtic Team – now confirmed
📋 The Celtic XI for today’s Glasgow Derby#RANCEL | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/gdNsFD0XCs
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) March 1, 2026
Sinisalo; Araujo, Murray, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Oxlade Chamberlain, Nygren; Yang, Adamu and Maeda
Subs: Doohan, Cvancara McCowan, Tounekti, Saracchi, Hatate, Arthur Forrest, Donovan
Match Officials
It was no surprise to anyone reading this on The Celtic Star when the Scottish FA appointed known Rangers supporters John Beaton and Steven McLean into the key positions of match referee and VAR for today’s Glasgow Derby at Ibrox.
John Beaton will be assisted by David McGeachie and Calum Spence while over at VAR HQ Steven McLean will have Kevin Clancy working alongside him.
Kick-off Time
theRangers v Celtic at Ibrox Stadium in the Scottish Premiership kicks off at 12 noon.*
Where to Watch
Today’s game is live on Sky Sports and is also live on Celtic TV for subscribers based outside of Britain and Ireland.
Predicted Score
An important victory for Celtic to deliver an amazing 74th birthday present for MON. theRangers 0 Celtic 2.
COYBIG
*Celtic Park Time
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