Rangers v Celtic live: Old Firm rivals clash in bid to close gap on Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts | OneFootball

(Steve Welsh/PA Wire)

Rangers and Celtic know there is no room for further slip-ups as the Old Firm rivals clash at Ibrox while looking to close the gap on Hearts, the surprise Scottish Premiership leaders.

Hearts extended their advantage at the top of the table to seven points following yesterday’s victory over Aberdeen, leaving the two Glasgow rivals with little margin for error in this dramatic three-way title race.

Both dropped precious points last week as Celtic lost at home to Hibs and Rangers were held to a 2-2 draw by bottom club Livingston. Rangers are two points ahead of Celtic, who have a game in hand.

But time is running out for Martin O’Neill’s side to mount a fightback, as they travel to a Rangers side who are unbeaten at home domestically under Danny Rohl and won the last Old Firm 3-1 at Celtic Park at the turn of the year.

Rangers vs Celtic

Celtic have lost seven games in the Scottish Premiership this season, as many as they did in 2023-24 (three) and 2024-25 (four) combined.

They last suffered more defeats in a league campaign in 1999-00 (nine) - with their eighth defeat that season coming away to Rangers (4-0 in March 2000).

Mike Jones1 March 2026 11:35

Danny Rohl asks Rangers players to use 'hot hearts and smart minds'

Rangers’ form under Danny Rohl has been impressive and today they have the chance to win 11 home games in a row for the first time since December 2013, when they were under Ally McCoist.

Rohl, who could become the first Rangers manager ever to win both of his first two Old Firm derbies in the league, had a simple message for his players before hosting Celtic at Ibrox.

"Do it with a hot heart and a smart mind,” he said.

“If we do this, then we have a big chance. We have a clear idea of what we want to do, we also have some different solutions for how we can hurt them, but let's see.

"I think this game is not about the legs, it's about the mind, the brain and how ready you are in these moments.”

Martin O'Neill embracing challenge of another trip to Ibrox

Martin O'Neill, who turns 74 today, will be heading to Ibrox to take charge of an Old Firm match for the first time since April 2005 and is relishing the pressure of the title race.

O'Neill’s first spell in interim charge included a 3-1 win over Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-finals; he won six of his 11 visits there as a manager in his previous spell.

"Yes, in a perverse sort of way I did [enjoy trips to Ibrox]. Honestly, they are still great games,” O’Neill said.

"But as the great Walter Smith once said, [these are] games to have relief at once they're over, particularly if you get a result.

"Of course you can be a bit euphoric, but I think relief might be the biggest way to describe it.”

Danny Rohl responds to claim that 'no one touches' Celtic

It’s fair to say Rangers boss Danny Rohl was far from impressed with Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan’s assessment that “we know if we're at it no team in that league touches us”.

Rohl pointed to Celtic’s position in the league as he hit back and said: “I think at the moment we are in the second position, they are behind us. They have at the moment seven or eight defeats.

“I think in general it makes no sense to speak too much about the other side, we have to focus on ourselves.

“We want to win this game. I see my team is ready to take points and then we'll see on Sunday. Hopefully both teams try everything and I'm confident that we have a big chance of winning this game.”

'If we're at it, no team in that league touches us'

Celtic’s Luke McCowan claimed “if we're at it, no team in that league touches us” following his side’s win at Stuttgart, despite the Hoops trailing both Hearts and Rangers in the title race.

Celtic have had their struggles this season but McCowan, who scored the wining goal in Germany as they exited the Europa League, says Celtic are unstoppable when they hit top gear.

“We’re feeling really good,” McCowan said ahead of the trip to Rangers. “I mean, we need to go there with the confidence from tonight.

“We know it's going to be a hectic atmosphere, a lot of pressure on the game for both teams especially.

"But we just know we've got enough in that dressing room and we need to go in with the right attitude and the right hunger.

"I guess you want a good performance that can lead to a good result. We know if we're at it, no team in that league touches us. We need to have that mentality going in.

"As Celtic players, we need to know we're champions still until we lose it. Right now, we've not lost it, so we need to have that mentality.”

Rangers boss Danny Rohl ramps up mind games before facing Celtic

Rangers boss Danny Rohl ramped up the mind games before hosting Celtic by bringing up Martin O’Neill’s decision to drop Kasper Schmeichel for back-up goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo in the 1-0 win at Stuttgart in midweek.

Sinisalo had a fine performance in place of the under-fire Schmeichel, who was one of eight changes and has been struggling for form in recent weeks.

“It will be interesting as well, the goalkeeper position, what he will do now, let's see,” Rohl said.

“I think when you see the line-up from yesterday, the starting line-up, then I expect some changes, it's normal, they try to use the full squad.

"I was a little bit surprised after 1-0 that they're not trying to win this game, 2-0, 3-0, to have a chance. They keep the result until the end.”