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Rangers vs Celtic: Talking points ahead of first Old Firm clash of season

Ibrox sets the stage on Sunday for the season's initial Glasgow derby, where a spot in the League Cup semi-finals will be contested prior to another league encounter between the rivals the following week. Visiting supporters will be absent from both League Cup and Premiership derbies this term.

Brendan's counterpart Martin O'Neill brings a strong derby record into the tie, having triumphed in 16 of his 28 meetings with the blue side, while his squad carries a perfect six-win league run. Celtic rested five regular starters during their midweek victory over St Johnstone, with six-goal attacker Camilo Duran expected to rejoin the lineup alongside Kasper Hogh, the pair having combined for nine goals this term as the visitors aim to reclaim the sole domestic honor they missed out on last season.

Rangers enter having secured four straight wins to recover from a sluggish opening, yet they are seeking their first trophy since 2024. Derek McInnes, who previously won his sole derby outing as a Rangers player, enters his inaugural Old Firm test from the managerial bench.

Across 61 managerial fixtures against Celtic, McInnes has claimed 10 wins, though his previous matchup with O'Neill ended in a heartbreaking title-deciding loss during his final match leading Hearts. Injuries to Lawrence Shankland and Youssef Chermiti leave attacking choices to consider: Ryan Naderi retained a spot in midweek after scoring against Motherwell, Bojan Miovski provided the sole strike against St Mirren as a substitute, and recent nine-million-pound arrival Kevin Kelsy awaits his breakthrough goal following his first start.