Sports19 September, 20263 min read
Celtic Host Rangers At Celtic Park Seeking Eight-Point Lead In Old Firm Derby
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Celtic can extend their Premiership lead to eight points by beating Rangers at Celtic Park. Rangers beat Celtic three-nil in the League Cup, boosting momentum into the derby.
Derby at Celtic Park
Celtic host Glasgow rivals Rangers at Celtic Park on Sunday, September 20 for the first Old Firm league derby of the season, with the match framed as a chance for Celtic to extend their Scottish Premiership lead to eight points.
NBC Sports said Celtic are a perfect 6-0-0 in the league but have lost two straight after a 3-1 defeat to Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Thursday, while Rangers’ blowout 3-0 League Cup win over Celtic on Sept. 13 set up the rematch.
The BBC preview described a turbulent week for Martin O'Neill’s side after Rangers’ 3-0 League Cup quarter-final win at home last Sunday and Celtic’s Europa League opener ending in a 3-1 defeat at home by Ferencvaros on Thursday.
Former Celtic captain Scott Brown said on BBC Scotland’s YouTube channel that a Celtic win would “changes the game,” adding “If Celtic win and they're eight points clear, it changes the game.”
The BBC also noted that like last week there will be no visiting supporters in attendance at the east end of Glasgow for Sunday’s match.
Voices and tactical angles
Scott Brown told BBC Scotland’s YouTube channel that Rangers’ approach in the first derby of the season involved going man for man with Celtic’s front three, saying “They went after Celtic from the get go,” and “They looked like they wanted the win more.” In the same BBC piece, Brown argued Celtic’s problems went beyond personnel, saying “Rangers got in their face, they blocked Callum McGregor off,” and that when Callum McGregor is blocked and Cal is man-marked “it's hard for anyone else to go and dictate.” Sky Sports framed the week as a test for O'Neill, saying Sunday could be seen as a “must-win for the veteran boss,” while also noting Celtic are guaranteed to go into the international break top of the Scottish Premiership.
Scott Brown also explained on talkSPORT via Rangers News that Celtic’s Europa League schedule puts them at an immediate disadvantage, telling Ally McCoist: “Celtic have got now an opportunity next week to go and do what Rangers done to them at Celtic Park.” Rangers News added that Rangers failed to qualify for the Europa League and the Conference League, leaving McInnes “more time to work with his players in training” and to give them rest before the derby.
What’s at stake next
The Opta Analyst preview said the Opta supercomputer is backing Celtic to maintain their perfect start, giving them a 49.9% chance of beating Rangers, while also noting Rangers beat Celtic 3-0 in the Scottish League Cup last Sunday. Opta Analyst also highlighted a potential managerial milestone for Derek McInnes, saying he could become only the second Rangers boss to win his first two Old Firm derbies in charge of the club, after Graeme Souness in 1986. NBC Sports’ viewing guide placed the kickoff at 7am ET Sunday, September 20 and listed Paramount+ as the stream link in the USA, with the stadium identified as Celtic Park — Glasgow, Scotland.
The Scotsman’s match preview said the William Hill Premiership match takes place on Sunday, September 20 at Celtic Park, Glasgow with kickoff at 12pm, and it named referee John Beaton in charge of proceedings at Celtic Park. As the derby approaches, Sky Sports described the pressure dynamic around O'Neill and Rangers’ momentum, stating that the Ibrox side could make it six straight wins after a tough start under Derek McInnes, while Celtic are seeking solutions after the Europa League loss to Ferencvaros.