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The hosts are struggling and welcome Celtic across town for the first game of 2025 sitting 14 points adrift of the league leaders to pile more pressure on manager Philippe Clement.
Brendan Rodgers’s Celtic, meanwhile, are again full of confidence having won back-to-back games 4-0 and have not conceded in the league since November.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Rangers vs Celtic is scheduled for a 3pm GMT kick-off on Thursday January 2, 2025.
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 Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage beginning at 2pm.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Rangers vs Celtic team news
Rangers are without first-choice goalkeeper Jack Butland, who was admitted to hospital for treatment on an internal bleed in his leg. Liam Kelly is set to deputise between the posts on Thursday.
It’s a defensive injury crisis for Clement, who is also without captain James Tavernier plus John Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo. Leon Balogun also remains a key a doubt for the game.
Tom Lawrence remains a long-term absentee, though Rabbi Matondo is fit again and was part of the squad last time out.
Sidelined: Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland has received treatment for an internal bleed in his leg
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Hamza Igamane came off the bench to rescue a point for Rangers in their 2-2 draw with Motherwell last time out, and surely starts the derby despite Clement’s concerns over fatigue. Vaclav Cerny was another substitute at Fir Park and will likely get the nod at Ibrox.
Celtic will be without James Forrest and Odin Thiago Holm, with the pair not expected back until later in January. Nicolas Kuhn will again lead the line alongside Kyogo Furuhashi, with Daizen Maeda pushing for a start. Alistair Johnston has shaken off a knock.
Rangers vs Celtic prediction
Rangers are still looking for their first Old Firm win under Clement at the seventh attempt, and that wait should continue beyond this first game of 2025.
The Gers are struggling to get going in games – which is never a good sign for an under-pressure manager – with their first-half displays costing them points in their last two games. Celtic, meanwhile, are scoring for fun and look unbeatable. This should be fairly routine.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Rangers vs Celtic match odds
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
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