Old Firm Day in Glasgow: Blood, Thunder & Buckfast

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·29. August 2025

Old Firm Day in Glasgow: Blood, Thunder & Buckfast

Glasgow sounds different on Old Firm day. From Ibrox to Parkhead the city moves quicker, talks shorter, and counts the hours in songs and side glances. Some lean on coffee, some on Buckfast, everyone on routine. Rangers v Celtic is not pencilled in; it is underlined. Win and Monday feels lighter; lose and every shop queue turns into a seminar on where it went wrong.

Strip away the noise, and it is football, duels, distance, and discipline. First contact matters, set pieces matter more, and one poor touch can set off a chain reaction you cannot calm. Managers manage risk, captains manage temperature, and the rest is nerve. Ninety minutes decide who gets the last word until the next one.

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The Latest Team News

Russell Martin chose to start Nico Raskin on the bench for Rangers on Wednesday, as they were hit for six by Nicky Hayen’s Club Brugge. Whilst the Rangers boss told the media there has been no fallout between the pair, it remains unclear whether he’ll be in the squad this Sunday.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Glasgow, Celtic were also beaten in Europe as they lost a penalty shootout to Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty. Brendan Rodgers has also effectively ‘blocked’ any possible departure from Celtic for Adam Idah, insisting that anyone who leaves must be replaced first.

“There’s interest in Adam, but no one can leave here unless we get players in to replace them; it’s as simple as that. There’s been negotiations and chat around it, but we have to have players in here before we can consider letting anyone go.”

New summer signing Michel-Ange Balikwisha is in contention to make his Celtic debut in the Old Firm derby at Ibrox this Sunday, with Brendan Rodgers saying:

“He’s been playing. He’s obviously fit and strong, and he’s been playing games. So, he’s ready-made to play if needed.”

Alistair Johnston and Auston Trusty are still not available as they recover from a hamstring and foot injury, respectively.

The Old Firm Head To Head

In their last five meetings with each other in all competitions, Rangers and Celtic have shared plenty of goals. Celtic have scored 9 times in the last five Old Firm games, which includes three in last season’s Premier Sports Cup final.

Rangers, meanwhile, have scored 10 goals, which also includes three in last season’s Premier Sports Cup final as well as three at Celtic Park back in March when they won 3-2.

Both sides have two victories each in the last five meetings (includes Celtic’s penalty shootout win). They shared the points in the last Old Firm at Ibrox, 1-1, with goals coming from Cyriel Dessers and Adam Idah.

The Predicted Line-ups

Rangers – Butland, Tavernier, Djiga, Souttar, Meghoma, Raskin, Rothwell, Cameron, Antman, Danilo, Gassama

Celtic – Schmeichel, Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney, Nygren, McGregor, Hatate, Forrest, Maeda, Yang

Key battles and tactical levers

Tavernier v Maeda in transition, Celtic’s most reliable out-ball against Rangers’ most aggressive full-back. If Tavernier pushes high, the cover angle from Djiga or Souttar has to be perfect.
McGregor and Hatate v Raskin and Rothwell for control, especially on second balls after clearances. Celtic’s build is calmer, Rangers need to add bite without surrendering territory.
Set plays, both ways. Tavernier’s dead-ball delivery remains Rangers’ cleanest route to chances, while Carter-Vickers dominates first contact for Celtic. In games with this temperature, restarts change the day.

Match info block

Date and kick-off: Sunday, 31 August 2025, 12:00 BST, Ibrox.
TV in the UK: Live on Sky Sports, build-up from 11:00.

Score Prediction And Final Thoughts

Rangers 2-4 Celtic

Whilst Celtic are definitely weaker in comparison to how strong and dominant they were last season, they still have unbelievable quality with the likes of Nygren, Hatate and Maeda. With those two pulling the strings as well as Maeda making runs in behind, it could prove to be very dangerous. Brendan Rodgers also has a very good record in these derby games, where he has only lost to Rangers three times. His Celtic side haven’t made the perfect start when you factor in Europe, but three wins from three league games with three clean sheets should fill Celtic players with more than enough confidence that they can go to Ibrox and win the first Old Firm of the season.

Rangers look vulnerable in defence; they have done so in nearly every game and the Club Brugge games in both legs highlighted just that. Gassama has been a bright spark for Russell Martin’s side but he by himself isn’t enough to win a big derby. As well as the shaky defence, it could be a very long afternoon for Rangers. The fans are not happy with Martin; Martin isn’t happy with performances as well as some of the players and the players don’t seem like they really want to be at Rangers. With no wins in their opening three league games, anything less than three points in the Old Firm could prove hugely costly to their season.