Celtic v Rangers predictions ahead of the Old Firm derby

It's destined to be one to remember, which makes now the best time to offer our Celtic v Rangers predictions ahead of the big game.

With just three points separating the sides at the top of the table, and two league matches remaining thereafter, this Old Firm encounter is surely one of the most important in title race terms for some time.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is a veteran of the fixture with a record of success to back it up, however, buoyed by his side's resilience in last month's thrilling 3-3 derby draw at Ibrox, Rangers boss Philippe Clement and his players will throw everything they have at it.

By mid-Saturday afternoon we'll know exactly how things lie, but until then here are our Celtic v Rangers predictions.

Celtic v Rangers predictions

David Irvine 

Celtic 3 - 1 Rangers 

It is no easy task to go to Celtic Park and win - particularly when any hopes of a league title demand a result. I expect the pressure to be just too much for Rangers on Saturday when they head to Parkhead.

Philippe Clement's side know the result could prove decisive in the Scottish Premiership and it'd be no surprise to see them fired up and scoring in the early knockings to make a game of it. But I just can't look past Celtic's quality in the big moments, especially with an exclusively home crowd roaring them on. I expect a tense, full-blooded affair but with Celtic running away with it as the final whistle approaches.

Brendan Rodgers knows this fixture inside out and for the most part has cruised through derby meetings - I can't see it being any different this time. Next season, though, with a full summer window behind Clement well that could be a different story.

Joe Donnelly

Celtic 2 - 0 Rangers 

I'm certain it'll be a fiercely-contested 90 minutes, but I think Celtic will prevail against Rangers on Saturday. Not only are Celtic in the midst of an eight-game unbeaten streak (that includes seven wins and last month's 3-3 draw at Ibrox), there's a real unity between the supporters, the players and, indeed, the manager Brendan Rodgers at the moment.

That feeling is palpable in the stands, and with a 100% crowd deficit weighed in Celtic's favour, this will surely play its part this weekend at Celtic Park. Celtic haven't been without their missteps this season, granted, but they have found their stride at a time when Rangers appear at their most fragile. To Philippe Clement's credit, the Rangers manager has instilled a distinct element of organisation on the pitch that was missing prior to his arrival, but I don't think that will be enough to match the intensity with which Celtic have been playing lately. 

Matthew Lindsay 

Celtic 2 - 1 Rangers

Everybody thought that Rangers would end their winless run against Celtic when the city rivals met at Ibrox last month and that is not at all how things panned out. It took a last-minute worldie from substitute Rabbi Matondo, a strike which was voted Goal of the Season at the PFA Scotland Awards last Sunday, to earn them a 3-3 draw.

So I do not agree with those, and there are many of them on both sides of the Glasgow divide, who believe that Brendan Rodgers' team will steamroller Philippe Clement’s side at Parkhead tomorrow. When have Clement’s men been given a going over by since the Belgian arrived in Scotland back in October? They have always, even in the games they have dropped precious points in, been competitive. I expect them to be so again this weekend.

That said, I do feel that Celtic, who have Cameron Carter-Vickers, Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor back and who will have every fan inside the stadium behind them, will have too much for Rangers once again and will record an important victory. 

Ewan Paton 

Celtic 1 - 1 Rangers

As good as a victory for Celtic at this stage, you'd think. Anything but a Rangers win on Saturday and I think it will be curtains as far as the title race is concerned. Of course, the gap would remain at three points, however, with a superior goal difference, the favourites tag would certainly remain with Celtic.

If a stalemate does play out at Celtic Park, then both teams should keep a keen eye out for the result of St Mirren vs Kilmarnock. A win for the hosts in that one keeps the battle for fourth alive, which could be better news for Rangers given Killie play Celtic next Wednesday evening. A draw or win for Killie in Paisley though, and fourth is wrapped up and the players could have eye one on the beach.

Graeme McGarry 

Celtic 3 - 1 Rangers 

Cliches such as ‘the form book goes out the window in these games’ exist for a reason, but if we are to base a prediction on the outcome of this one by what has come immediately before it, then Celtic have to get the nod.

Rangers know this is their last chance to salvage their title challenge, and I would expect that Philippe Clement will have his men geed up appropriately. But they will have to show a lot more than they have over recent weeks if they are to live with the revitalised champions.

The Celtic midfield trio of Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley were imperious in the defeat of Hearts on Saturday, and it is no coincidence that the return of McGregor and Hatate to full fitness saw Brendan Rodgers’ side hit a level they rarely have this season.

I think that is the area where Celtic will have the edge, and with a full Celtic Park behind them, I fancy them to take the spoils.

Jonny McFarlane 

Celtic 3-0 Rangers 

While Celtic haven't been at their strongest this season they have found form when it counts, and crucially just as Rangers have started to wobble. Parkhead is rarely a happy hunting ground for teams from Govan, and there is scant evidence to suggest that will change.

That said, previous Old Firm games this season have been close, with inconsistent finishing and lack of ruthlessness a major problem for Rangers. And yet a quick comparison of the spine of each team tells its own story about what the result of this game should be; Hart, Carter-Vickers, McGregor and Kyogo is a significantly stronger foursome than Butland, Souttar, Lundstram and Dessers.