Old Firm matches are often framed as emotional battles, but for Rangers head coach Danny Rohl, the coming clash is about discipline, preparation, and choosing the right moments to strike.
If Rangers are to leave Celtic Park with something tangible, it will be because they resisted shortcuts and exploited weaknesses with precision.
Rohl made it clear early in his press conference that complacency would be fatal.
“We will not make the mistake to underrate the opponent,” he said.
“These games always start 0–0. There’s a lot of emotional things in it.”
That warning was not theoretical.
Rohl drew on his own experiences of elite rivalries from his time coaching with the likes of Bayern Munich, stressing that form, noise, and narrative dissolve once the ball is kicked.
Preparation, however, is something Rangers finally have on their side.
For perhaps the first time since his arrival, Rohl hinted at near full availability.
“I can nearly go with my best 11 tomorrow,” he said.
“This is a good feeling for me.”
In a fixture where understanding between players is vital, that continuity matters.
It allows Rangers to be proactive rather than reactive - something Rohl has repeatedly demanded.
“Our idea is always that we want to be active,” he explained.
“We want to go forward instead of backwards - we have to try to put our momentum very soon on our side.”
Momentum is a recurring theme.
Rohl understands that Celtic Park can swing violently depending on early moments, and that Rangers must impose themselves before the stadium does.
But aggression alone will not suffice. Rohl’s analysis of Wilfried Nancy’s Celtic, who have lost five of their last seven, was measured and forensic.
“Every team, every system has weaknesses,” he said.
“You have to play quick and fast in the areas where they have problems.”
Equally important is knowing when not to attack.
“You also have to understand the moments where you have to defend really well around your own box.”
This balance, speed without recklessness, bravery without naivety, defines Rohl’s approach.
Rangers will look to hurt Celtic, but not at the expense of structure.
What would victory mean? Rohl did not hesitate.
“It would be amazing - not just for me, but for all the supporters,” he said.
“For this we need a big, big performance.”
Yet even here, he resisted indulgence.
“If you take the win tomorrow, then our confidence is much, much higher,” he said, before returning again to the idea of continuity, of backing it up.
Rohl knows that Old Firm wins can define seasons, or distort them.
His task is to ensure it becomes fuel, not distraction.
As Rangers step into Celtic Park, the plan is clear: respect but dislike the opponent, trust the preparation, exploit the margins, and stay emotionally intact.
In a derby where chaos often reigns, clarity may be Rangers sharpest weapon.