Rangers vs Celtic: prediction, lineups, kick-off time and team news
Rangers and Celtic meet again this Sunday in another massive Old Firm clash, just a week after their dramatic league encounter at Ibrox.
The Glasgow rivals briefly pause their intense three-way Scottish Premiership title battle to face each other in a high-profile Scottish Cup quarter-final. Around 7,500 travelling supporters are expected to attend the match at Ibrox.
Last weekend’s derby ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw. Rangers raced into a two-goal lead in the first half thanks to a superb brace from Youssef Chermiti, including a spectacular overhead kick. However, Celtic mounted a comeback through Kieran Tierney’s header and a late rebound from Reo Hatate after a penalty save.
At the time, the draw left Celtic two points behind Rangers in the league table, but they have since moved ahead of them into second place after defeating Aberdeen 2-1 on Wednesday, with Benjamin Nygren scoring the winner.
Celtic are now five points behind league leaders Hearts, while Rangers sit third and six points off the top with nine matches remaining.
Cup focus returns
Attention now turns to the Scottish Cup after Celtic previously defeated Rangers 3-1 in extra time during the Scottish League Cup semi-finals at Hampden Park in November, although they later lost the final to St Mirren.
Celtic reached the last eight of the Scottish Cup after beating Auchinleck Talbot and Dundee, the latter also requiring extra time. Rangers progressed in emphatic fashion, scoring 13 goals across convincing victories against Annan Athletic and Queen’s Park.
The Hoops, record 42-time winners of the competition, lifted the trophy in consecutive seasons before losing last year’s final to Aberdeen on penalties.
Date, kick-off and venue
The Scottish Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic will kick off at 1pm GMT on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow.
How to watch
The match will be shown live in the UK on Premier Sports 1, with coverage beginning at 12pm GMT. Subscribers can also stream the game via the Premier Sports website and app.
Team news
Rangers boss Danny Röhl reported a largely healthy squad in training this week, with midfielder Connor Barron returning after being sidelined since early January due to a knee injury. Dujon Sterling and Ryan Naderi also recovered from minor knocks to feature in the previous derby.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill confirmed that Kieran Tierney’s foot injury is improving after he scored at Pittodrie. Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel trained on Friday for the first time following illness and treatment for a long-standing shoulder issue. Both players will be assessed before the match.
Viljami Sinisalo has started Celtic’s last three games in goal. Meanwhile, Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, Arne Engels, Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers remain sidelined. Marcelo Saracchi has returned to the squad and Julian Araujo has featured in the past two matches.
Match prediction
Last weekend’s derby delivered the kind of drama that has made the Old Firm one of football’s most compelling rivalries. Rangers will again look to Youssef Chermiti, who has been in superb form with eight goals in his last four matches against Celtic and Hearts.
Röhl will also demand greater concentration from his side after they allowed Celtic to mount a comeback in the previous meeting.
Another fiercely contested encounter is expected, and it could once again require extra time to settle the tie.
Prediction: Rangers 3–2 Celtic after extra time.
Head-to-head record
Rangers hold a slight edge in the all-time Old Firm record and also defeated Celtic 3-1 away in January.
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Rangers wins: 172
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Celtic wins: 171
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Draws: 107
Celtic have not won at Ibrox since September 2023.
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