Rangers and Celtic head into the first Old Firm game of the season with disquiet on both sides of the Glasgow divide.
Celtic failed to qualify for the Champions League after they lost on penalties ot minnows Kairat Almaty.
Rangers faced more established European opposition but were humiliatingly hammered 6-0 by Club Brugge, going down 9-1 on aggregate.
Gers boss Russell Martin comes into this home derby clash under severe pressure having drawn all three of his Scottish Premiership games to date. If Celtic are victorious at Ibrox, they will be nine points better off than their sworn enemies after just four games.
MORE: Celtic vs. Rangers head to head, all-time results, trophies won by Old Firm derby rivals
Rangers vs. Celtic lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest
The hosts will miss the services of their right-back, Dujon Sterling, who has been ruled out until early 2026 with an Achilles tendon injury. The under-fire Martin has plenty of options to choose from, with Kieran Dowell his only other fitness doubt.
Skipper James Tavernier is expected to return to the starting lineup, while Nicolas Raskin, Mohammed Diomande, Cyriel Dessers, and Mikey Moore could all also feature from kick-off
Rangers predicted starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Butland (GK) — Tavernier, Souttar, Djiga, Meghoma — Cameron, Rothwell, Aasgaard — Antman, Danilo, Gassama
Injured: Sterling (Achilles), Dowell (doubt)
Suspended: None
As for Celtic, Alistair Johnston (hamstring), Auston Trusty (foot), and Jota (ACL) will remain sidelined with their respective injuries.
Kieran Tierney is likely to get a slot in the starting lineup, meaning that he will be starting in his first Old Firm derby since 2019.
Daizen Maeda is likely to retain his spot in the attacking line, with James Forrest and Yang Hyun-jun also anticipated to start.
Celtic predicted starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Schmeichel (GK) — Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney — Engels, McGregor, Hatate — Forrest, Maeda, Yang
Injured: Johnston (hamstring), Jota (ACL), Trusty (foot)
Suspended: None
Rangers vs. Celtic match details
- Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025 (e.g. Saturday, August 16, 2025)
- Kickoff time: 12 p.m. local (7 a.m.ET/4 a.m. PT)
- Location: Ibrox, Glasgow (Scotland)
- Competition: Scottish Premiership
- Referee: Don Robertson
- VAR: Marco Di Bello