Rangers vs Celtic: Herald and Times sports writers give predictions for Ibrox clash

Rangers vs Celtic matches are always exactly that.

And with both teams firing on all cylinders ahead of this season's very first heavyweight bout, it's difficult to foresee just who will land the knockout blow.

Steven Gerrard's men are full of confidence, buoyed by an adrenaline pumping last-minute winner against Legia Warsaw last night to make it through to the Europa League group stages.

Rangers vs Celtic: 10 biggest moments in Old Firm history

Celtic made it through with ease, on the other hand, against AIK in Sweden and have scored 15 league goals in just three outings.

It's finely poised ahead of the Ibrox clash this weekend - but plenty of talking points remain.

Who will Steven Gerrard start with up front? Will Kris Ajer be a miss for Celtic if he doesn't make it? Will home advantage make a difference?

Here's our Herald and Times sports writers with their predictions for this weekend's crunch match.

Matthew Lindsay

I can’t remember a Glasgow derby match in recent years when it has been so difficult to pick a victor. Both Celtic and Rangers have won all of their domestic fixtures this season. Both have just secured places in the Europa League group stages through qualifying.

Neil Lennon’s team lost their last game against Steven Gerrard’s side in Govan back in May. But the Ladbrokes Premiership had been won the week before. They will put up a far greater fight on this occasion.

Much depends on who plays at the back for the visitors. But if Kristoffer Ajer and Jozo Simunovic aren’t in their starting line-up then it will work in the favour of the home team. It is a helluva game to ask Moritz Bauer to make his debut in. Can they trust Boli Bolingoli defensively? There are a lot of question marks.  

The Parkhead club are sensational going forward just now with Ryan Christie, Odsonne Edouard, James Forrest and Mikey Johnston all enjoying fine form. They are, as saw in the Friends Arena on Thursday night, capable of netting at will.

What Rangers must do to beat Celtic in the Old Firm

But I think their energy-sapping trip to Sweden, the key players they are likely to be be missing and the fact they will once again only have a handful of fans in the 50,000-strong crowd will count against them.  I am going for a narrow home win.

Prediction Rangers 2-1 Celtic

Neil Cameron

I’ve been on the fence all week but the splinters were beginning to hurt. I’m going for Celtic. Just.

Rangers deservedly won two Old Firm games at Ibrox last season – and were a bit unfortunate not to get a draw with ten men from Parkhead – so it could be argued they are slight favourites. But, for me, there is one issue over anything else.

Celtic have better players.

It would not surprise me if Rangers won. They are playing well and it’s obvious there is a togetherness which wasn’t there, along with a strong bench.

However, Edouard, Forrest, Christie and McGregor, if they click, are the best attack in the country, and Scott Brown is due a big Ibrox performance.

This is more a guess than a prediction. I do believe we could be in for a cracking match.

Prediction: Rangers 1-2 Celtic

Mark Hendry

Rangers and Celtic are both capable of scoring goals.

But, perhaps cynically, I don't think we're going to get a straight shootout on Sunday.

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This fixture puts pressure on everyone involved and, given that it's the first derby of the new season, the players and managers might feel it even more this time round.

Albeit confidence in both camps is sky-high after European wins in midweek.

Gers have two strikers in red-hot form and I'd imagine Alfredo Morelos will start ahead of Jermain Defoe. And I wouldn't be surprised if he finally breaks his duck in this game.

At the other end of the pitch Odsonne Edouard loves playing against Rangers and will be ready.

Gers managed two wins at Ibrox last season in meetings between the two, so there may be a psychology aspect, too.

It'll be tense, cagey and explosive either way.

Prediction: Rangers 1-1 Celtic

Graeme McGarry

With the way both of these teams have started the season, I can’t see anything else but a high-scoring affair.

What Celtic must do to beat Rangers in Sunday's Old Firm

Celtic won’t come to sit in, it’s not in their make-up, while Rangers will be looking to produce the same sort of high-energy, dominant display that has seen them win the last two meetings at Ibrox.

The midfield will be key, and it is a tantalising prospect to witness the battle between the Rangers trio of Ryan Jack, Steven Davis and Joe Aribo going up against Scott Brown, Callum McGregor and Oliver Ntcham. 

If someone can win that battle, it may just tip the scales in their favour.

With both clubs on a high having had perfect starts to the Premiership campaign and having qualified for the Europa League group stages, I just can’t separate them. We’re in for a cracker.

Rangers 2-2 Celtic

Stewart Fisher

For the first time in ages, the Ibrox side go into an Old Firm match as many people's favourites. Can they handle it? We will know by 2pm on Sunday. 

With their supporters occupying all but 800 seats of what will be an atmospheric stadium, hopes will be high of making if three home Old Firm wins in a row since February 2010. That puts a different pressure on teams, and don't rule out the notion that this becomes a classic let-down match for the Ibrox side if things don't go their way. 

Having said that, given the personnel involved and the upheaval in the Celtic team, Rangers I feel are marginally the better bet. While the Ibrox side have the more settled line up, I can see Alfredo Morelos getting the nod up front, Jon Flanagan shoring up the left side at the expense of Borna Barisic and Jordan Jones coming into use his pace as a bulwark against whoever Celtic line-up at right back. 

Neil Lennon will have his fingers crossed that Kris Ajer and Jozo Simunovic prove their fitness, while Hatem Elhamed could return to give them a boost at right back. Failing that, we could be looking at a back four of Moritz Bauer/Tony Ralston-Nir Bitton-Christopher Jullien-Boli Bolingoli, with Fraser Forster behind them. For all their attacking class, Celtic have been too wide open at the back and I would worry for that group. 

I've been wrong in the past, but I can see goals in this match. If Rangers start well, the roof could even cave in on the visitors.

Prediction 3-2 Celtic

Chris Jack

Steven Gerrard’s side were worthy winners of the last two Old Firm clashes at Ibrox and I expect them to make it three on the spin on Sunday.

Rangers have produced impressive performances against Hibernian and in Europe and are particularly strong in midfield, with Steven Davis, Ryan Jack and Joe Aribo in fine form.

Alfredo Morelos is due a derby goal and there would be no better time to get it as he spearheads an attack that could cause Celtic real problems. It is set up to be a cracker and Rangers should just edge it.

Prediction: Rangers 2-1 Celtic.