Celtic host Rangers at Celtic Park this Saturday for a crucial Scottish Premiership showdown between the Glasgow rivals.
The title contenders desperately need the points in what will undoubtedly be a fiercely contested Old Firm clash.
Celtic, under Wilfried Nancy, snapped a four-game losing streak with successive triumphs over Aberdeen (3-1) and Livingston (4-2), only to suffer another setback in their latest outing – a defeat to Motherwell.
The Hoops currently occupy second spot with 38 points from 19 matches, trailing leaders Hearts by three and leading third-placed Rangers by the same margin. Rangers and Hearts have also played the same number of matches.
Celtic team news
Celtic will be missing several defenders long-term, including Alistair Johnston (suffering from hamstring issues), Callum Osmand (suffering from hamstring issues), and Cameron Carter-Vickers. Carter-Vickers continues to battle an Achilles issue, while Johnston and Osmand remain sidelined with hamstring problems until early March 2026.
Jota, who is having a cruciate ligament injury, is slated for a mid-January return and is unavailable for this match, as are Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi, both still hampered by hamstring troubles.
Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha remain absent due to their national team duties at the Africa Cup of Nations. Wilfried Nancy might stick with the same starting lineup from their recent defeat.
Celtic predicted lineup
Possible Celtic starting XI: Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Tierney; Hyun-Jun, Engels, McGregor, McCowan; Nygren, Maeda; Kenny
When will the match kick off?
The match will kick off at 12:30pm BST on Saturday, 3rd January.
How to watch Celtic vs Rangers?
UK supporters can catch the game on Sky Sports, with SPFL Pass providing streaming access for viewers abroad.
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