This Saturday, Celtic and Rangers will square off in the 2023 last derby at Parkhead.
The Scottish Premiership’s top-of-the-table matchup promises to be exciting, but how will it actually play out? Here are the predictions made by our sports writers for the Herald and Times.
Jonny McFarlane – Celtic 1 Rangers 1
The team led by Clement is completely different from the one that surrendered humbly to Michael Beale at Ibrox earlier in the season.
Having said that, the odds are definitely stacked against them because it’s still a trip to Celtic Park without any away supporters. Injury seems to have devastated both teams equally.
Even though Brendan Rodgers’ team isn’t as good as it was a year ago, the manager can still pull off a tactical surprise in pivotal moments and is a shrewd operator. I think parity will be reached on the day in a close, competitive match where a draw benefits both teams.
Aidan Smith – Celtic 2 Rangers 1
In terms of roster strength, both sides are coming into this match quite evenly matched, and I believe home advantage will be crucial. Parkhead Rangers will be up against it from the start because there won’t be any away fans present. This is particularly true for numerous players who have never experienced this extraordinary atmosphere before.
There won’t be much action in the match, and I think the current champions Celtic will win by a single goal in the end. Let’s hope for a competitive match that features a lot of fire and quality.
David Irvine – Celtic 2 Rangers 2
There is no doubt Clement has transformed Rangers since the last meeting against Celtic – and if his attitude is anything to go by then his side won’t be powderpuff in the face of the big occasion surrounded by 60,000 home fans.
Instead, it could bring out the best in this Rangers team, and I’d be surprised if they didn’t score at Parkhead.
That said, I’d be just as stumped if Celtic failed to register in the derby encounter with Rodgers having masterminded many a memorable derby day triumph.
It’s not often the case, but on Saturday after an expected blockbuster opening, both sides may well end up being content with a point.
Ewan Paton – Celtic 0 Rangers 0
It’s not very often these teams fail to score, especially against one another, but I can’t see this one being a classic.
Of course, neither side ever accepts losing in the derby, however, with Celtic very wary of Rangers’ resurgence, and Rangers cautious that Celtic could extend the gap, both teams will be doing all in their power to ensure the game doesn’t end in defeat.
The visitors certainly come into this one in better form and probably with more self-belief. I can’t see a Brendan Rodgers side slumping on the big stage in Scotland though, so I’ll go for a closely-fought stalemate with the top of the table remaining as it is.
Matthew Lindsay – Celtic 1 Rangers 1
The loss of Cameron Carter-Vickers to injury is a serious blow to Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers ahead of the cinch Premiership match against Rangers at Parkhead today.
But his opposite number Philippe Clement does not exactly have an abundance of options up front going into his first Old Firm game in the East End of Glasgow – Cyriel Dessers is the only specialist striker he has at his disposal.
It will be interesting to see which side is affected more by the absence of key men – but I expect honours to finish even in the second meeting between the age-old rivals this season.
Celtic, who came under fire from their own supporters after losing to Kilmarnock away and Hearts at home, have been far better in their last two league outings against Livingston and Dundee.
But Rangers have been vastly improved since Clement took charge in October and I am sure they will, despite the players they are missing at the back and in midfield, be far more competitive than they were when they were beaten at home by Celtic back at the start of September.
Graeme McGarry – Celtic 2 Rangers 1
Philippe Clement has made a hugely impressive start to life at Rangers, and he will be confident that his men can go into the lion’s den at Celtic Park and come out with a result after defying even greater odds in Seville against Real Betis.
But Brendan Rodgers, going into his 15th Old Firm fixture and facing up to his fifth Rangers manager, will be looking for his team to make a statement here, and just quell the momentum that is building on the other side of the city.
While both sides have injury problems, I feel that Rangers’ will have weakened them more, and Celtic should come out on top in the midfield battle. That platform should allow them to just shade the game.
