The stage is set for the first Old Firm showdown of the 2025-26 campaign, as Rangers and Celtic lock horns at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon in what already feels like a season-defining clash.
Both sides limp into the derby after midweek nightmares in Europe. Rangers were humiliated by Club Brugge, falling to a staggering 9-1 aggregate defeat that included a 6-0 drubbing in Belgium — their heaviest loss in any competition since Real Madrid dismantled them by the same scoreline back in 1963. Celtic, meanwhile, endured misery of their own, bowing out of the Champions League in one of the most embarrassing exits in their history, losing on penalties to Kairat Almaty after two goalless legs.
For Rangers, the derby couldn't come at a more pressured moment. Winless in the league and stuck with three straight draws, the Gers know that nothing short of victory will satisfy a restless Ibrox crowd. Celtic, on the other hand, arrive top of the Premiership table with maximum points from their opening three matches, and a win here would not only deepen their rivals’ woes but also open up a daunting nine-point gap this early in the season.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.
How to watch Rangers vs Celtic online - TV channels & live streams
 | Sky Sports Football | Watch here |
In the United Kingdom (UK), the Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic will be broadcast live on TV on Sky Sports Football.
Check out GOAL's Live Match Centre for updates.
How to watch anywhere with VPN
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Rangers vs Celtic kick-off time
The Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic will be played at Ibrox Stadium in Rome, Italy.
It will kick off at 12 pm BST on Sunday, August 31, in the US.
Team news & squads
Rangers vs Celtic lineups
4-2-3-1
Formation
4-3-3
CELRAN-Line up
RANSubstitutes
Manager
R. Martin
CEL-Line up
CELSubstitutes
Manager
B. Rodgers
Injuries and Suspended players
Injuries and Suspensions
- No sidelined players
Injuries and Suspensions
- No sidelined players
Rangers team news
Rangers boss Russell Martin is expected to ring the changes after the Brugge collapse. Captain James Tavernier should come back into the starting XI, while the likes of Nicolas Raskin, Mohammed Diomande, Cyriel Dessers, and youngster Mikey Moore could also be drafted in.
However, long-term absentee Dujon Sterling remains sidelined until the new year.
Celtic team news
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers also has a few selection headaches, though not as severe. The Hoops remain without Alistair Johnston, Auston Trusty, and Jota, but otherwise the squad looks healthy.
Up front, Adam Idah has struggled to get going, which could see Daizen Maeda lead the line again, supported by James Forrest and Yang Hyun-jun. At the back, fans will be keenly watching Kieran Tierney, set for his first Old Firm derby since 2019, with Liam Scales, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Anthony Ralston likely keeping their places.
Form
RAN-Form
RANClub Brugge
6
-
0
Rangers
L
St. Mirren
1
-
1
Rangers
D
Rangers
1
-
3
Club Brugge
L
Rangers
4
-
2
Alloa Athletic
W
Viktoria Plzen
2
-
1
Rangers
L
- Goal Scored (Conceded)
- 7/14
- Games over 2.5 goals
- 4/5
- Both teams scored
- 4/5
CEL-Form
CELKairat Almaty
0
-
0
Celtic
L
Celtic
3
-
0
Livingston
W
Celtic
0
-
0
Kairat Almaty
D
Celtic
4
-
1
Falkirk
W
Aberdeen
0
-
2
Celtic
W
- Goal Scored (Conceded)
- 9/1
- Games over 2.5 goals
- 2/5
- Both teams scored
- 1/5
Head-to-Head Record
RANLast 5 matches
CEL2
Wins
1
Draw
2
Wins
Goals scored
6- Games over 2.5 goals
- 3/5
- Both teams scored
- 2/5