The first Old Firm derby of the New Year arrives with an unfamiliar sense of uncertainty hanging over Celtic Park, as both Glasgow giants enter 2026 at a crossroads.
Celtic, usually the benchmark at home, are searching for stability after a turbulent December, while Rangers sense an opportunity to capitalise on their rivals’ unease and reignite a title challenge that once looked unlikely.
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Celtic vs Rangers prediction: Draw
Key statistics
- Celtic have lost four of their last seven matches across all competitions.
- Wilfred Nancy has won just two of his first seven games in charge of Celtic.
- Rangers have suffered only one league defeat under Danny Rohl.
- Celtic have failed to win two of their last three home league games.
- Four of the last seven Old Firm derbies have ended level after 90 minutes.
Correct score prediction: Celtic 1-1 Rangers
With both sides short of confidence in different ways, a tense, cautious derby could end without a decisive winner.
Pre-game odds and implied probabilities: Celtic marginal favourites
- Celtic: 19/20 – 1.95 (51.3%)
- Draw: 14/5 – 3.80 (26.3%)
- Rangers: 12/5 – 3.40 (29.4%)
*Odds subject to change
The market narrowly favours Celtic due to home advantage, but Rangers’ improving form and Celtic’s instability leave clear room for a stalemate or away upset.
Most recent head-to-head: Close calls but Rangers thriving
The last three meetings have ended in draws, though Rangers are unbeaten in the last six, winning two along with four draws in that period.
Scotland League Cup 02/11/25
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Scotland Premiership 31/08/25
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Scotland Premiership 04/05/25
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Scotland Premiership 16/03/25
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Scotland Premiership 02/01/25
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Celtic preview: Pressure mounts under Nancy
Celtic enter 2026 searching for clarity. Nancy’s appointment in early December was meant to stabilise a season drifting off course, but instead his opening weeks brought unwanted history, with four consecutive defeats and the club’s worst managerial start since the late 1970s.
Although victories over Aberdeen and Livingston briefly eased tensions, a damaging defeat at Motherwell halted momentum and left the reigning champions booed off the pitch by their own supporters.
Several long-term injuries and AFCON call-ups limit rotation, but familiarity may help simplify preparation for a fixture that demands emotional control as much as tactical clarity.
Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota, Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi are all sidelined with injuries.
Meanwhile, Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha are away at the Africa Cup of Nations and will miss this clash.
Predicted lineup: Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Tierney; Hyun-Jun, Engels, McGregor, McCowan; Nygren, Maeda; Kenny
Celtic’s last five results
- 30.12.25 – Motherwell 2-0 Celtic
- 27.12.25 – Livingston 2-4 Celtic
- 21.12.25 – Celtic 3-1 Aberdeen
- 17.12.25 – Dundee Utd 2-1 Celtic
- 14.12.25 – St. Mirren 3-1 Celtic
Rangers preview: Quiet revival under Rohl
While Celtic wrestle with instability, Rangers have taken gradual but tangible steps forward. Danny Rohl’s arrival followed a dismal spell under Russell Martin, whose side collected just five wins from 17 matches and fell well adrift in the title race.
Since then, Rohl has brought structure and pragmatism, losing just once in the league — away to Hearts — and restoring belief with back-to-back wins to close out 2025.
Those victories over Motherwell and St Mirren were not spectacular, but they were controlled, efficient and purposeful.
Crucially, Rangers arrive knowing that a win at Celtic Park would draw them level on points with their fiercest rivals — an unthinkable scenario earlier in the campaign.
The visitors will be missing the services of Oliver Antman, Nedim Bajram and Derek Cornelius, who all remain injured, while Nasser Djiga is away at the AFCON on international duty.
Predicted lineup: Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Fernandez, Meghoma; Aasgaard, Raskin, Diomande; Gassama, Chermiti, Moore
Rangers’ last five results
- 30.12.25 – Rangers 2-1 St. Mirren
- 27.12.25 – Rangers 1-0 Motherwell
- 21.12.25 – Hearts 2-1 Rangers
- 15.12.25 – Rangers 1-0 Hibernian
- 11.12.25 – Ferencvaros 2-1 Rangers
Player to Watch: Benjamin Nygren
Benjamin Nygren has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Celtic following his summer arrival, registering 10 goals and five assists from 30 appearances across all competitions.
The Swede has been in particularly fine form domestically, finding the net in each of Celtic’s last three Premiership outings, and he could be the man to make the difference on Saturday.