Iheanacho To Start? | Predicted 4-2-3-1 Celtic Lineup To Face Rangers | OneFootball

The Premiership title race is heading towards a photo finish, as the reigning champions Celtic remain three points behind league leaders Hearts with three games left. There is no margin for error at this stage, and the Hoops must overcome the Rangers test on Sunday lunchtime, with their bitter rivals set to visit Parkhead for the season’s final Old Firm clash.

The Bhoys have yet to defeat the Light Blues in the Premiership over the past three meetings. Their previous clash at Celtic Park resulted in a 3-1 triumph for Rangers, while the other two fixtures finished all square at Ibrox. Although they clinched two wins in the Cup outings, both ties ended in draws before Martin O’Neill’s men snatched victories in extra time and on penalties, respectively.

Predicted 4-2-3-1 Celtic Lineup To Face Rangers

Defence

Viljami Sinisalo will continue as the first choice at least until the end of the season. Kasper Schmeichel is ruled out for months, and it is to be seen whether the Finnish custodian does enough to cement a ‘number 1’ status in the long run.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MARCH 1: Mikey Moore of Rangers battles with Callum McGregor of Celtic during the William Hill Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on March 1, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

Alistair Johnston is back in business with an assist last weekend against Hibernian. He should retain his place down the right. Despite a below-par performance at Easter Road, Liam Scales is expected to keep his central defensive spot alongside Auston Trusty. Kieran Tierney must feature from the left, with Marcelo Saracchi likely to be involved as a second-half substitute.

Midfield

Arne Engels’ return from injury has allowed Callum McGregor more freedom in terms of orchestrating the tempo as a deep-lying playmaker. Engels makes box-to-box runs as the duo offers a perfect balance between marshalling the defence and scripting attacking transitions. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke McCowan and Reo Hatate would be there among the substitutes, as they have slipped down the pecking order in the wake of Engels’ availability.

Sebastian Tounekti failed to grab his opportunity against Hibs, and the gaffer could drop him on Sunday in favour of deploying Daizen Maeda from the left. Yang Hyun-jun has done well at times while featuring from the right, but might make way for James Forrest due to the latter’s profound experience. Benjamin Nygren has cemented his place as a ‘number 10’, with his creative spark and poaching traits likely to trouble the Gers time and again.

Attack

‘Super sub’ Kelechi Iheanacho rescued the Celts on the road, when he netted a late winner soon after being introduced from the bench. Injuries have troubled him throughout the season, but the fit-again Nigerian must spearhead the attack against Danny Rohl’s Rangers.