Celtic have already secured the Scottish Premiership title in April. They now travel to Glasgow for the latest Old Firm derby against rivals Rangers. This title marks Celtic`s 55th league win, bringing them level with Rangers for the most in history. With a commanding 17-point lead over Rangers, securing a win in this match would be another notable achievement for Brendan Rodgers during his successful tenure at Celtic.
Although they didn`t progress in the Champions League, Celtic put up a strong fight against Bayern Munich in the playoff stage, demonstrating their efforts to regain prominence in European football alongside their dominance in Scotland. Rangers, meanwhile, face a significant task to bridge the gap with their rivals, but winning a home derby would represent a positive step forward.
Here`s how you can follow the match, along with key details:
Match Information & Odds
- Date: Sunday, May 4
- Time: 7 a.m. ET
- Location: Ibrox Stadium — Glasgow, Scotland
- Broadcast Info: CBS Sports Network, Paramount+
- Odds: Rangers +245; Draw +265; Celtic -106
Last Meeting
In their previous encounter at Celtic Park in March, Rangers secured a victory after initially trailing 2-0 in the first half. Breaking Celtic`s strong form, Rangers equalized before finding an 88th-minute winner. Jack Butland`s assist to Hamza Igamane set up the deciding goal, a feat Rangers will hope to repeat on home soil.
What the Coaches Are Saying
Given Celtic clinched the league title last week, technically they could receive a guard of honor. However, due to the intense nature of this rivalry, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers doesn`t anticipate a warm reception at Ibrox.
Rodgers stated, `The guard of honor thing, it`s not a rule, that`s the first thing I would say. It`s not in the rules that you have to do it. And I think that when two clubs and the rivalry are so emotional, it`s always difficult for the team that comes up short.`
He added, `So, it`s one that I`m relaxed either way on it. It`s one where I`m a little bit of a traditionalist because there`s a lot of things that are going out of our game over on these isles that are just moving away from the traditions of the great managers and the great people that ran our game and were successful in our game.`
While Celtic`s full celebration might be postponed, the fact that Rangers are expected to withhold this traditional gesture adds another layer of rivalry intensity.
Predicted Lineups
Rangers: Liam Kelly, Robin Propper, Clinton Nsiala, James Tavernier, Bailey Rice, Jefte, Mohamed Diomande, Cyriel Dessers, Hamza Igmane
Celtic: Viljami Sinisalo, Anthony Ralston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Greg Taylor, Callum McGregor, Arne Engles, Reo Hatate, Nicolas Kuhn, Daizen Maeda, Adam Idah
Player to Watch
Daizen Maeda, Celtic: The race for the Golden Boot in Scotland is tight, with Maeda currently tied on 16 goals with Simon Murray. As the season concludes, this match provides an excellent opportunity for the Celtic forward to potentially surpass Murray and even his own teammates, Nicolas Kuhn (13 goals) and Adam Idah (10 goals), who are also competing for the top scorer spot. Celtic`s ability to score from multiple sources highlights their offensive strength this season, making a high goal tally for their forwards quite possible.
Storyline to Watch
Can Rangers Defend Ibrox?: Beyond the expected refusal of a guard of honor, Rangers will aim to do more than just avoid conceding the gesture – they must avoid simply rolling over. Historically, the home team has often won these derbies, with Rangers` recent win at Celtic Park being the first away victory in the last five meetings. This historical context fuels Celtic`s motivation. With the league title secured, Brendan Rodgers` side will be playing primarily for pride, and there`s immense satisfaction in defeating historic rivals on their own ground.
Prediction
Celtic is likely to establish an early lead and maintain control throughout the match. With a focus on helping Maeda compete for the Golden Boot, Celtic should create numerous scoring opportunities on their way to a victory. This outcome would leave Rangers with significant questions to address during the long offseason, while their rivals remain ahead in the standings.
Pick: Rangers 1, Celtic 3
