The Scottish Premiership title race is seemingly already done but there is still plenty to play for when Rangers host Celtic this afternoon – and particularly for Gers boss Philippe Clement.
The traditional New Year curtain raiser between the Old Firm giants is usually a key fixture in the battle for supremacy in Scotland but Celtic’s blistering form, and Rangers’ woes, mean the visitors step into the lions’ den with a 14-point advantage at the top of the table.
Brendan Rodgers’ side are unbeaten in the league this season, dropping just four points in 18 games and it’s inconceivable to think they will suffer a post-Christmas collapse and let Rangers back in.
And it’s not as though Rangers’ form means they’d be able to capitalise on an opening anyway.
They have won just one of their last five games in all competitions and, while Clement’s departure seems inevitable at some stage, his exit could be expedited with another defeat this afternoon.
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Rangers Team News
Clement made six changes to the side that drew 2-2 at Motherwell on Sunday.
James Tavernier and Jack Butland miss out as expected as does Leon Balogun, who sustained a calf injury against St Mirren on Boxing Day.
Liam Kelly, Jefte, Ianis Hagi, Vaclav Cerny, Nedim Bajrami and Hamza Igamane all come into the starting XI with Nico Raskin named captain.
Rangers: Kelly, Ridvan, Propper, Sterling, Jefte, Raskin, Diomande, Cerny, Bajrami, Hagi, Igamane
🆕 Our Starting XI to face Celtic at Ibrox.
🗒️ Full Team News: https://t.co/YTPipQDdpc pic.twitter.com/94mCJKMgeq
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) January 2, 2025
Celtic Team News
Rodgers made three changes from the team that thrashed St Johnstone 4-0 at the weekend.
Greg Taylor replaced Alex Valle at left-back, captain Callum McGregor returned in midfield while Daizen Maeda came back in at the expense of Yang Hyun-jun.
Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, Bernardo, Hatate, Kuhn, Maeda, Kyogo
Here’s how we line up against Rangers ⤵📋#RANCEL | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/z7Xd6EE8OF
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 2, 2025
