RANGERS will look to bounce back from back-to-back poor performances on their travels as they take on bitter-rivals Celtic at Ibrox on Thursday afternoon.
Rangers’ slim hopes of getting themselves back in the title race have been all but ended in the past week, as they were beaten 2-1 at St Mirren on Boxing Day before dropping more points in a 2-2 draw at Motherwell on Sunday.
The Gers away record has been nothing short of embarrassing in the Premiership this campaign, with them winning just three of their opening nine road trips (W3-D2-L4).
However, Phillipe Clement’s side have been fairly reliable at home, dropping just two points from their nine Premiership clashes at Ibrox (W8-D1-L0), and the Belgian can ill-afford for that to change on Thursday.
However, they come up against a relentless Celtic side who come into this clash off the back of consecutive 4-0 victories at home to both Motherwell and bottom side St Johnstone.
Brendan Rodgers’s side did drop points in their previous away match in the Premiership in a goalless draw at fourth-placed Dundee United, but that was only the second time they have dropped points in the league all season and first away from home.
How the bookies view it: Celts favourites once again
Despite playing in front of no away fans, Celtic have been installed as 11/10 favourites at BoyleSports to claim another derby day success.
Rangers are 15/8 with the same firm to make it nine wins from 10 at home in the Premiership this season, whilst the draw is 5/2.
Head to head: Celtic dominance against Gers
Celtic have lost just one of their past 14 meetings with their bitter-rivals (W9-D4-L1), with that being a dead-rubber 3-0 defeat at Ibrox in May of last year.
The Hoops also defeated Rangers on penalties in the Scottish League Cup final at the beginning of the month, following a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Players to watch: Kyogo to continue to haunt Rangers
Czechia winger Vaclav Cerny is, without doubt, Rangers’s most creative player, and he has scored eight goals in his past eight appearances at Ibrox.
Kyogo usually saves his best performances against Rangers and has scored eight times in Old Firm matches.
Probable line-ups
Rangers will have a bit of a defensive crisis, as they will be without captain James Tavernier, John Souttar, Neraysho Kasanwirjo, and possibly Leon Balogun.
Celtic, on the other hand, have a near full-strength squad to call on, with only James Forrest and Thiago Holm likely to be missing.
Rangers: Butland, Sterling, Propper, Balogun, Jefte, Raskin, Diomande, Hagi, Bajrami, Cerny, Igamane
Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor, Bernardo, McGregor, Hatate, Kuhn, Kyogo, Maeda
Anything else catch the eye?
I highlighted that Rangers would be vulnerable at the back at Fir Park on Sunday, and with captain James Tavernier joining the injury list and Robin Propper – who was absolutely woeful on Sunday, even for his low standards – likely starting, you can’t see Rangers keeping a clean sheet here.
The Hoops have scored 2+ goals in 16/18 (89%) of their Premiership encounters this campaign, and I fully expect them to do so once again at Ibrox on Thursday.
As mentioned above, it was a 3-3 draw in the pair’s recent clash in the League Cup final – and given that was also the same scoreline when they last met at Ibrox in March last season – I’m also happy to back Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals.
This Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic will be played on Jan 2, 2025 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Rangers vs Celtic prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
