theRangers v Celtic – What to expect from Glasgow Derbies this season

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The Celtic Star

·25 août 2025

theRangers v Celtic – What to expect from Glasgow Derbies this season

Few rivalries in world football can rival the intensity and passion of the Glasgow Derby which replaced the Old Firm in February 2015 when the first ever match between Celtic and the new Ibrox club was played at Hampden Park…

Callum McGregor at Ibrox. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The legendary showdown between Glasgow giants Celtic and which Rangers plays out of Ibrox gets the fans excited and the blood pressure going through the roof.

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As the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership season unfolds, fans are already bracing for what could be one of the most interesting years in recent memory. With Celtic winning their first three matches of the new campaign and theRangers drawing their opening three encounters against modest opposition the first Glasgow Derby could play a decisive role in shaping the domestic outcome of the season and could even see an early managerial casualty.

Adam Idah celebrates scoring at Ibrox to level the score at 1-1. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Tactically Celtic will be looking to exploit the new style of play that Russell Martin has brought to Ibrox and even the most ardent supporter of theRangers would admit that there has been significant teething problems with the new manager’s tactical approach in the early part of the season.

But football, like higher education, is more than just tactics and preparation – it’s about handling pressure. As students often turn to platforms like EssayPro to do my paper when deadlines pile up, elite footballers rely on tactical analysts, psychologists, and coaches to prepare for the mental toll of matches like these.

Celtic: Rodgers’ Refined Approach

Brendan Rodgers, now in his second stint as Celtic manager, enters the 2025/26 season with a clearer imprint on the team. His possession-heavy, high-tempo style is once again central to Celtic’s approach. Last season, the Hoops secured another league title under Rodgers, marked by structured play, solid defence, and emerging young talent.

Brendan Rodgers arrives at Ibrox. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Midfield remains the core of Celtic’s strength, with Callum McGregor’s masterclass in his senior leadership role. The long-standing club captain, continues to be the metronome in midfield, dictating tempo and setting the tone for younger players, such as Arne Engels, the club’s record £11m signing who has established himself in the Celtic midfield alongside craftsman Reo Hatate. Rodgers has added to the quality in the middle of the park by adding Sweden International Benjamin Nygren and h has already scored three goals in the opening three Scottish Premiership matches.

Dane Murray has made the breakthrough this season. homegrown centre-defender scored for Celtic in the Premier Sports League Cup win over Falkirk on the same day that he was rewarded with a new long-term contract at the club.

Anthony Ralston of Celtic substituted for Colby Donovan of Celtic. Celtic v Livingston, William Hill Scottish Premiership, Football, Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, UK – 23 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Celtic’s left-back Mitchel Frame – a product of their academy – is one of a number of Celtic Academy stars who is expected to see more first-team action this season, with the likes of right back Colby Donavan, who made his Celtic debut on Saturday in the 3-0 win over Livingston, also a contender for a breakthrough season, especially as Canadian International Alistair Johnston suffered a hamstring injury in the Champions League playoff match against Kairat at Celtic Park that will keep him out for at least 12 weeks.

Ben Summers, Jude Bonnar, Sean McArdle and Francis Turley are also Celtic Academy players who could break into the manager’s first team plans as the season progresses.

c scoring during Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on August 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

But that’s for the future and for Celtic’s first Glasgow Derby of the season at Ibrox on Sunday 31 August, it’s Nygren’s technical ability and work ethic that Celtic fans hope he’s show against theRangers in what will be a true test of his readiness for top-flight pressure as a Celtic player.

theRangers: Russell Martin’s Tactical Overhaul

On the other side of the city, Philippe Clement has gone, Barry Ferguson is back doing his punditry work and now it’s the turn of the former Southampton boss Russell Martin to manager the 2012 founded Ibrox club. He has certainly reshaped theRangers this summer, spending big money in the transfer market and introducing a new style of football which has certainly been controversial amongst theRangers supporters.

St Mirren v theRangers, 24 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Martin’s plan was to make an immediate impact, stabilising the squad and reinvigorating their performances in both league and European competition. So far it hasn’t worked out that way and barring a miracle result against Club Brugge in Brussels on Wednesday night (The Belgian side won the first leg at Ibrox 3-1) the Champions League dream will be over and anything but a win against Celtic could see Russell Martin being sacked.

St Mirren v theRangers, 24 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

The 2025/26 campaign was meant represents a fresh start for theRangers, with high expectations after ‘the company that owns the club’ was taken over by an American consortium.

Key defensive leader James Tavernier remains at the club but has now dropped to the bench, while striker Hamza Igamane actually refused to come on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw away to St Mirren on Sunday, his Ibrox career is surely over after that. Nico Raskin will likely play pivotal roles in controlling games, especially in high-pressure environments like the Glasgow Derby, but like Igamane he could be sold the following day when the summer transfer window reaches it’s last day.

theRangers manager Russell Martin. St Mirren v theRangers, 24 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Last season’s top goalscorer Cyriel Dessers is currently injured . After a mixed first season, the Nigerian international looked sharper last season so will be a big miss in the Glasgow Derby. Meanwhile Russell Martin has strengthened the squad on the wings with four signings this summer. Oscar Cortes (£5m from Lens), Oliver Antman (£4m from Go Ahead Eagles), Djeidi Gassama (£2m from Sheffield Wednesday) and Mikey Moore (loan transfer from Tottenham) all will be looking to get the chance to experience the Glasgow Derby on Sunday.

What to Expect in 2025/26

This season’s Glasgow Derby matchups promise everything football fans crave: elite talent, emotional stakes, and strategic depth. Whether it’s Celtic Park roaring for a late winner or the Ibrox supporters silenced by a decisive Celtic goal, the atmosphere will be electric.