IT’S been called the biggest Old Firm match for a decade.
Perhaps because the margin between the two teams feels so tiny.
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Even by the standards of the Glasgow grudge match, this one seems impossible to call.
Celtic have won the two previous Glasgow grudge matches this season, but they’ve been close run things which have turned on pivotal moments.
Rangers have home advantage this time around – without a single Hoops fan in attendance – and have lost just one domestic match since that Celtic Park defeat.
While the Hoops have stuttered more frequently since the New Year, their recent form has been convincing – and both teams seem to be getting big players back at the right time.
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So, in other words, it’s anyone’s guess how the cards will fall at Ibrox on Sunday.
That’s why even the bookmakers are hedging their bets on this one – with Rangers slight favourites and Celtic no better than 2/1.
Predicting the outcome is a thankless task – but our fearless team of reporters have stepped up to the plate.
ROGER HANNAH
Rangers 1 Celtic 0
RANGERS haven’t won a league game against Celtic when it mattered since August 2021 – when Filip Helander netted in Ange Postecoglou’s first derby.
This is a huge game for Gers and, for me, it’s now or never for them in the title race.
If they don’t win on Sunday, I can’t see them wrecking Celtic’s dreams of Three in a Row.
They struggle at Celtic Park and, if they go there with a lead of just two points, you’d worry for them.
I think Gers’ need is greater this weekend and that might just tip the balance in their favour.
The Hibs twitter admin will probably have James Tavernier for the first goal.
But what price Cyriel Dessers to finally silence the sceptics – me included – with the only goal of the game?
DAVIID FRIEL
Rangers 0 Celtic 0
THERE have been 28 Old Firm games since the last 0-0 draw (December 2017) but this one is heading for stalemate.
With so much on the line, it could be a cautious affair and a draw isn’t the worst result for either team.
A point would give Rangers the chance to move top when they head to Dundee for their game in hand three days later.
Celtic still have to host their rivals at Parkhead after the split and a draw means their destiny is still in their own hands.
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ROBERT THOMSON
Rangers 1 Celtic 2
Celtic are a totally different team with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate back in the side.
The centre half not only makes them more solid but is so important at keeping them high up the pitch, penning opponents in when the Hoops are on top.
Hatate adds a dynamism to their midfield they’ve lacked, while if Callum McGregor returns that boosts them further.
Rangers will hope to make home advantage count and you’d bet on them to score, but the pressure is on knowing they can go top of the league and they have to prove they can handle it.
ROBERT GRIEVE
Rangers 2 Celtic 1
This is the chance everyone at Rangers has been waiting on to inflict serious damage to Celtic’s title defence.
The return of Callum McGregor clearly gives Brendan Rodgers a boost as does having Reo Hatate fit again.
But it’s unrealistic to expect those two players to be at their best so soon after bad injuries.
With no away support at Ibrox I expect Philippe Clement’s side to do enough to win a tight Old Firm derby.
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ROBERT MARTIN
Rangers 1 Celtic 1
This title race has plenty of twists and turns left in it but both sides will need to settle for a share of the spoils at Ibrox this weekend.
Phillipe Clement’s side will feel the need to win this given they’re at home and their confidence should be sky high.
But Brendan Rodgers is getting his big players back from injury at just the right time – and they know how to deal with Gers on their home turf.
So I see Gers flying out the traps and taking the lead – but the Hoops eventually pegging them back to leave with a point.
BILL LECKIE
Rangers 2 Celtic 2
The rivalry’s as high-octane as ever.
But the quality on both sides of the Old Firm is lower than for a long time.
And that’s a key reason why this one’s so hard to call, the fact that no one can be sure what they’re getting from either lot on any given day.
Rangers have been the better of the two since the turn of the year, yet one win in nine derbies tells you how rarely they turn up when the chips are down.
Celtic? Their odds of going four points clear shorten massively if Callum McGregor plays. If not, others need to step up big time or they could be five behind by next weekend.
So I’ve gone for the draw, but who knows? It could as easily be 3-0 either way.
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DEREK McGREGOR
Rangers 2 Celtic 2
This has the feel of an epic showdown and I think it will live up to its billing.
The selection decision over Callum McGregor will be huge for Brendan Rodgers but the Celtic players can’t afford to be affected if their inspirational captain doesn’t make it.
It’s a wonderful opportunity for Rangers to strike a potentially title killing blow on their main rivals.
All I can see is a gripping game full of goals, great play, flare ups, VAR fury… and at full time the destiny of the Premiership trophy still firmly in the balance.
BEN RAMAGE
Rangers 2-1 Celtic
I don’t see either side keeping a clean sheet in this derby, with both sides having conceded in five of their last six matches.
The Benfica and Motherwell losses aside, Rangers have been picking up wins more comfortably than Celtic since the turn of the year.
The Hoops made hard work of seeing off lowly Livingston twice last month, as well as losing to Hearts at Tynecastle.
Rodgers’ men also needed injury-time winners to beat the Steelmen and Hibs in February.
With home advantage on their side, I think Philippe Clement’s side will just edge this one.
GARETH LAW
Rangers 2 Celtic 2
This could turn out to be one of the biggest derbies in years – and one of the most evenly matched.
Celtic’s win over Livingston was their first clean sheet in the league for over two months.
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Rangers haven’t had one in over a month either meaning both sides will fancy their chances of scoring.
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