One of the biggest games in World Football takes centre stage in Scotland next weekend as old rivals Rangers and Celtic renew a rivalry with unsurprisingly huge stakes on the line regarding the destination of the league title.
Date: 07/04/2024
Location: Ibrox Stadium
Kick-off: 12:00pm
The two sides residing in Glasgow have had a stranglehold over the Scottish Premiership for the last 29 years, with the league champions being either Celtic or Rangers. The last team to win the Scottish Premiership aside from the two Glasgow teams was Aberdeen in 1985.
Rangers are the team in need of the win in this game based on the league table. The home side are the team in second having played a game less than their bitter rivals, however, a win would move Rangers top with that extra game.
The hosts so far this season have accumulated 73 points from 30 games played. This averages out at 2.43 points per game, despite playing that one less game. Rangers have scored 67 goals this season – on average this leads to 2.3 goals per game which is very respectable.
The key to their league standing this season though has been their defence. Rangers have only conceded 17 goals in 30 games played, which on average is 0.6 goals conceded on average. It is worth noting also, that the team leads the table in clean sheets with former Manchester United goalkeeper Jack Butland accumulating 17 shutouts this season.
Rangers remaining game in hand over Celtic is an away trip to Dundee on the 10th of April. Should they prevail against Celtic, they can move five points clear should they also prevail against Dundee. Rangers and Celtic are separated by one goal if it comes down to goal difference as it stands.
Celtic are back under the tenure of Brendan Rodgers this season, following the departure of Ange Postecoglu to Tottenham Hotspur and the Hoops have wasted no time in adjusting to the change. The reigning champions are top of the league table, heading into the crunch game against Rangers.
Rodgers is taking part in his second spell as Celtic manager, hoping to emulate the same success he had during his first spell. The former Liverpool manager joined in 2016 and led Celtic to two domestic trebles and an unbeaten season before he left to join Leicester City. This season he has his Celtic side embroiled in a fascinating title race.
Rodgers’ side have accumulated 2.3 points per game, the same as Rangers despite playing a game more than them. Celtic are not only the league leaders in points but also terms of goals scored.
Offensively, Celtic have scored 74 goals in 31 games which gives them a healthy average of 2.3 goals per game. Coincidentally the same as Rangers also. Celtic does have a slightly worse defensive record than their opponents having conceded 23 in 31 games played. Six more than what Rangers had conceded.
Rangers and Celtic have met twice already this season, with the visitors for this game being the victors on both occasions. In the most recent fixture between the two, Celtic ran out 2-1 winners over their rivals who were down to ten men. Goals from Paulo Bernardo and Kyogo Furuhashi ensured the Hoops took bragging rights in the Old Firm derby.
History favours Celtic in recent encounters in the Old Firm Derby. The visitors for this game at Ibrox, have won four out of the last five games between the two sides. The last time Rangers won this fixture was at the back end of the 2022/23 season with a 3-0 victory. Goals from Todd Cantwell, John Souttar and Fashion Sakala gave the Gers the win that day.
Scottish Premiership - 1st Phase 
