Rangers vs Celtic: Prediction, Team News & Lineups | 13 September 2026

Rangers vs Celtic prediction: Goal.mu predicts Rangers 1-1 Celtic.

Match Details

• Fixture: Rangers vs Celtic
• Competition: Football
• Date: Sunday, September 13
• Venue: Ibrox Stadium
• Prediction: Rangers 1-1 Celtic

The Bigger Picture

The latest run also tells a story: rangers welcome Old Firm rivals Celtic to Ibrox Stadium on Sunday for a Scottish League Cup quarter-final encounter.

The Gers defeated St Mirren 5-1 in the second round, while the Bhoys progressed past Dundee United with a 4-0 triumph.

Rangers head into Sunday's Scottish League Cup quarter-final after appearing to have finally found their feet under new boss Derek McInnes .

Recent Form

After failing to win any of their first four matches in 2026-27, followed by two victories and a devastating Conference League elimination to Jablonec on penalties, Rangers have now won all of their last four games.

How the two goalkeepers handle the first pass could shape where Rangers vs Celtic is played, especially during the opening stages. The significance in Rangers vs Celtic is tactical rather than generic, because the likely lineups and recent form create a match-specific balance of risk. Applied specifically to Rangers vs Celtic, the detail is tied to how Naderi, Gassama, Miovski and Nygren, Duran, Hogh can influence the next phase once possession changes hands.

What makes Rangers vs Celtic interesting is that the recent evidence points to more than one plausible game state. For Rangers and Celtic, the first pass after a regain could determine whether a defensive action becomes a counter-attack or simply another spell without the ball.

Home Plan

McInnes's side have only managed to win those four matches by one-goal margins, leaving plenty of room for improvement, but the Gers will still be encouraged by their upturn in results.

For Rangers, the challenge is to make home advantage visible in the way the match is played, not merely in possession figures. The key midfield question in Rangers vs Celtic is not possession volume but who can turn central recoveries into the next dangerous action.

Rangers are likely to ask Pandur to help set the tempo from the first phase, while Naderi, Gassama, Miovski carry much of the responsibility for turning territorial control into shots and entries into the penalty area.

Away Plan

Rangers will now aim to extend that winning streak when they take on Old Firm rivals Celtic for the first time this season, with the Gers hoping to end a three-game winless run against their neighbours.

Celtic do not need to dominate the ball to have an influence. The transition moments in Rangers vs Celtic may be more revealing than the settled-possession phases, because both teams can be vulnerable in the seconds immediately after losing the ball.

For Celtic, the attacking responsibility falls heavily on Nygren, Duran, Hogh. The significance in Rangers vs Celtic is tactical rather than generic, because the likely lineups and recent form create a match-specific balance of risk.

How the Press Could Shape It

Celtic are also heading into Sunday's cup clash off the back of four consecutive wins, having impressively bounced back from the heartbreak of their Champions League elimination.

Pandur and Johnstone may therefore influence the game long before either is required to make a major save. Control of the centre is likely to shape Rangers vs Celtic: whichever team can receive forward-facing between the lines should force the other into deeper, more reactive defending.

Selection and Fitness

The Bhoys held a 4-0 aggregate lead over LASK Linz in the playoff qualifying round, but a collapse from Celtic saw them concede five goals without reply, leading to their catastrophic elimination from the Champions League 5-4 on aggregate.

Rangers are set to be without Tuur Rommens, Youssef Chermiti, Jose Cifuentes and Lawrence Shankland due to ongoing injury issues. Bojan Miovski , who scored the late winner against St Mirren last time out, could start alongside Ryan Don Naderi in attack, with Badredine Bouanani and Djeidi Gassama retaining their spots on the wing. Meanwhile, Celtic remain unable to call upon the services of Callum Osmand, Alistair Johnston and Jota due to injury problems. Kasper Hogh returned to the side in midweek after missing three games due to injury, and the summer signing is likely to retain his starting spot in attack on Sunday.

The significance in Rangers vs Celtic is tactical rather than generic, because the likely lineups and recent form create a match-specific balance of risk. The key midfield question in Rangers vs Celtic is not possession volume but who can turn central recoveries into the next dangerous action. For this particular fixture, the consequence is that Rangers cannot separate attacking ambition from the protection needed against Celtic’s transition threat.

Possible Starting Lineups

That remains Celtic's only loss this season, with Martin O'Neill's side emerging victorious from each of their eight other matches across all competitions.

Rangers possible XI: Pandur; Sterling, Fernandez, Makhanya, Penrice; Raskin, Neil; Bouanani, Naderi, Gassama; Miovski.

Celtic possible XI: Johnstone; Donovan, Murray, Trusty, Scales; McGregor, Baur; Hassan, Nygren, Duran; Hogh.

Key Spaces

The Bhoys will, therefore, be confident of maintaining that momentum when they take on Rangers, although they have struggled at Ibrox in recent years.

Whoever scores first in Rangers vs Celtic should gain more than a scoreboard advantage; they will also gain the right to dictate the match's tempo and risk level. If Rangers score it, they can choose their pressing moments more selectively; if Celtic strike first, the hosts may be forced to accept more transition risk.

Broken-play situations could decide Rangers vs Celtic, especially if either side commits too many players ahead of the ball before possession changes hands. The transition moments in Rangers vs Celtic may be more revealing than the settled-possession phases, because both teams can be vulnerable in the seconds immediately after losing the ball. In Rangers vs Celtic, that point matters because Rangers and Celtic arrive with different pressures and different ways of using the same space.

Late-Game Decisions

Celtic have failed to win any of their last six visits to Rangers' home ground, although the Bhoys did win on penalties in the Scottish FA Cup quarter-finals last season.

For Rangers and Celtic, the first pass after a regain could determine whether a defensive action becomes a counter-attack or simply another spell without the ball. Late substitutions could reshape Rangers vs Celtic more than the starting systems, especially if one manager recognises the change in momentum before the other. For this particular fixture, the consequence is that Rangers cannot separate attacking ambition from the protection needed against Celtic’s transition threat.

In Rangers vs Celtic, this point is particularly relevant because Rangers and Celtic arrive with different pressures, different recent trends and different ways of controlling space. In Rangers vs Celtic, this point is particularly relevant because Rangers and Celtic arrive with different pressures, different recent trends and different ways of controlling space. The relevance to Rangers vs Celtic is tactical rather than generic: the two likely XIs create different demands on the central and wide areas.

A Recent Detail Worth Carrying Into the Match

That penalty triumph was marred by disorder from both sets of fans, and, as a result, the SPFL have made the ruling that no visiting fans will be permitted at the fixture in any competition this term.

That detail gives Rangers vs Celtic a little more texture because it affects confidence as well as tactical choice. Broken-play situations could decide Rangers vs Celtic, especially if either side commits too many players ahead of the ball before possession changes hands.

What Nygren, Duran, Hogh Need to Give Celtic

Celtic need Nygren, Duran, Hogh to provide more than finishing. The significance in Rangers vs Celtic is tactical rather than generic, because the likely lineups and recent form create a match-specific balance of risk. The significance in Rangers vs Celtic is tactical rather than generic, because the likely lineups and recent form create a match-specific balance of risk.

The Risk of an Open Final 20 Minutes

If Rangers vs Celtic is still undecided with 20 minutes remaining, both teams may be tempted to chase the result. The key midfield question in Rangers vs Celtic is not possession volume but who can turn central recoveries into the next dangerous action. The significance in Rangers vs Celtic is tactical rather than generic, because the likely lineups and recent form create a match-specific balance of risk.

How Pandur and Johnstone Could Shape the Build-Up

Pandur and Johnstone may have very different workloads, but both can influence how their teams escape pressure. The significance in Rangers vs Celtic is tactical rather than generic, because the likely lineups and recent form create a match-specific balance of risk. In Rangers vs Celtic, composure from the goalkeepers could therefore have a direct tactical effect even before either faces a difficult shot.

The Attacking Responsibility on Naderi, Gassama, Miovski

For Rangers, the attacking burden is likely to fall heavily on Naderi, Gassama, Miovski. The midfield contest in Rangers vs Celtic should decide which side can sustain attacks rather than merely launch them, with second balls and support angles likely to be decisive. That movement can force Celtic to defend several problems at once instead of simply protecting the centre.

How Rangers's Front Line Can Stretch Celtic

The likely home attack of Naderi, Gassama, Miovski gives Rangers several ways to occupy the visiting back line. The transition moments in Rangers vs Celtic may be more revealing than the settled-possession phases, because both teams can be vulnerable in the seconds immediately after losing the ball. In Rangers vs Celtic, this point is particularly relevant because Rangers and Celtic arrive with different pressures, different recent trends and different ways of controlling space. In Rangers vs Celtic, this point is particularly relevant because Rangers and Celtic arrive with different pressures, different recent trends and different ways of controlling space. If they become too flat, Celtic will be able to defend the penalty area with far less discomfort.

What Celtic Need From Nygren, Duran, Hogh

For Celtic, Nygren, Duran, Hogh need to give the team more than a finishing presence. The midfield contest in Rangers vs Celtic should decide which side can sustain attacks rather than merely launch them, with second balls and support angles likely to be decisive. The wide areas in Rangers vs Celtic should be active, with overlapping runs capable of creating overloads but also leaving transition space behind them. Without that outlet, Rangers can recycle attacks with increasing confidence and commit more players forward.

The Defensive Balance Behind Rangers's Attacks

One of the decisive details in Rangers vs Celtic will be what Rangers leave behind the ball when they attack. Control of the centre is likely to shape Rangers vs Celtic: whichever team can receive forward-facing between the lines should force the other into deeper, more reactive defending. In Rangers vs Celtic, this point is particularly relevant because Rangers and Celtic arrive with different pressures, different recent trends and different ways of controlling space. Good rest defence would allow Rangers to attack repeatedly; poor rest defence could make every lost ball feel dangerous.

How Celtic Can Survive the First Wave

The opening spell may be uncomfortable for Celtic, particularly if the home crowd lifts the tempo. In Rangers vs Celtic, this point is particularly relevant because Rangers and Celtic arrive with different pressures, different recent trends and different ways of controlling space. For this specific matchup, the same principle has a different emphasis: Rangers must manage the initiative without giving Celtic an easy route into transition. In Rangers vs Celtic, this point is particularly relevant because Rangers and Celtic arrive with different pressures, different recent trends and different ways of controlling space.

The Value of the Second Ball

Rangers vs Celtic may include more direct phases than either manager initially plans. For this specific matchup, the same principle has a different emphasis: Rangers must manage the initiative without giving Celtic an easy route into transition. Control of the centre is likely to shape Rangers vs Celtic: whichever team can receive forward-facing between the lines should force the other into deeper, more reactive defending. Rangers can use those recoveries to keep Celtic pinned back, while the visitors can turn the same moment into their quickest route up the pitch.

Why the Substitution Timing Matters

The final half hour should test both benches. If Rangers need a goal, adding another attacker only helps if the team still has enough midfield control to feed that player. If Celtic are protecting a result, an extra defender may be less useful than a midfielder who can retain possession and stop repeated attacks. In Rangers vs Celtic, this point is particularly relevant because Rangers and Celtic arrive with different pressures, different recent trends and different ways of controlling space.

How Rangers's Front Line Can Stretch Celtic in Rangers vs Celtic

One Last Tactical Detail for Rangers

A final point for Rangers is the spacing behind the first attacking line. The team with more of the ball in Rangers vs Celtic will still need to prove that control is productive rather than cosmetic, especially around the edge of the penalty area. In Rangers vs Celtic, that balance could determine whether home pressure feels sustained or fragile.

Prediction and Betting View

• Full-time result: Draw
• Double chance: Rangers or Draw
• Both teams to score: Yes
• Goals: Under 3.5 goals
• Correct score: Rangers 1-1 Celtic

Applied to Rangers vs Celtic, this becomes a question of balance: Rangers need enough aggression to impose themselves, while Celtic need enough threat to prevent the hosts from attacking without restraint.

Final Verdict

Rangers vs Celtic should reward the side that manages the spaces between attacks better. Broken-play situations could decide Rangers vs Celtic, especially if either side commits too many players ahead of the ball before possession changes hands.

Goal.mu’s final call is Rangers 1-1 Celtic.