The latest instalment of one of world football’s fiercest rivalries comes amid an enthralling three-way Scottish Premiership title race that is proving to be one of the most dramatic anywhere in Europe, with new twists and turns seemingly every week.
Rangers head into the weekend sitting second and seven points behind leaders Hearts, who beat Aberdeen at Tynecastle yesterday.
Having beaten Hearts a week earlier with a rousing performance at Ibrox, Danny Rohl’s much-improved side shockingly trailed 2-0 away at bottom club Livingston last weekend, with the hosts going down to 10 men before Emmanuel Fernandez and Tottenham loanee Mikey Moore both struck late on to salvage a point.
Celtic also slipped up badly, following a 4-1 hammering at home to Stuttgart in the first leg of their Europa League knockout phase play-off tie with a 2-1 home loss to Hibernian – Martin O’Neill’s first domestic defeat of the season across two stints as interim manager in which Auston Trusty was dismissed.
The reigning champions – who did restore some pride by winning 1-0 in Germany on Thursday – remain third and six points off Hearts with the weakest goal difference of the three contenders but a game in hand on both, with the surprise leaders getting some much-needed breathing space after seeing off stubborn Falkirk.
Rangers and Celtic also collide at Ibrox in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup next weekend.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Rangers vs Celtic is scheduled for a 12pm GMT kick-off today, Sunday March 1, 2026.
The match will take place at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow.
Where to watch Rangers vs Celtic
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports. Coverage starts at 11am GMT on Sky Sports Football ahead of a 12pm kick-off.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.
Rangers vs Celtic team news
Dujon Sterling missed Rangers’ draw at Livingston through injury, with Connor Barron and Bailey Rice also sidelined.
Derek Cornelius has resumed training after back surgery, while January signing Ryan Naderi has been carrying a knock.
Rohl said on Friday that Sterling and Naderi were both training and would be assessed.
Trusty remains suspended for Celtic, who failed in their quest to get his red card against Hibs overturned.
Celtic have failed in their appeal to have Auston Trusty’s red card against Hibs overturned
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Bournemouth loanee Julian Araujo will be fresh after being rested for the trip to Stuttgart, where O’Neill vowed to pick a strong lineup despite the heavy aggregate deficit and this looming derby.
He made eight changes in the end, with Viljami Sinisalo, Colby Donovan, Dane Murray, Marcelo Saracchi, Reo Hatate, Luke McCowan, Daizen Maeda and Junior Adamu replacing Kasper Schmeichel, Araujo, Liam Scales, Kieran Tierney, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Benjamin Nygren, Sebastian Tounekti and Tomas Cvancara.
Arne Engels, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota, Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand are all still out.
Rangers vs Celtic prediction
The stakes always feel massive in the Old Firm derby and this latest edition is certainly no different, extending far beyond local bragging rights.
These two giants are used to scrapping it out between themselves for titles, but this season they are fighting desperately to keep pace with a new contender who won’t give up top spot easily.
Expect goals, drama, entertainment and a flurry of cards as ever with this famous fixture, likely ending in a tense draw that will please Hearts.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Youssef Chermiti scored twice as Rangers beat Celtic 3-1 in January
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Rangers vs Celtic match odds
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
