Rangers face Celtic this Sunday in the first Old Firm clash of the new season, a game that was supposed to showcase Russell Martin’s rebuilt side and signal a fresh start.
Instead, many supporters are bracing for the worst, fearing a defeat that could plunge the former Southampton boss into crisis territory just a couple of months into his tenure.
The Gers have stumbled to three straight draws in the William Hill Premiership, while Celtic have made a perfect start with three wins from three. That six-point gap could stretch to nine at Ibrox, a margin that might all but kill Rangers’ title hopes before September has even sprung.
Celtic fans have frustrations of their own, with a meek Champions League exit at the hands of Kazakh side Kairat Almaty and an underwhelming transfer window dampening early-season optimism.
For Rangers, though, the mood is far darker. A sluggish league campaign has been compounded by humiliation in Europe, a 9-1 aggregate thrashing by Club Brugge, capped off with a 6-0 mauling in Belgium on Wednesday night.
Last season, Old Firm derbies offered occasional respite from inconsistency. This year, Sunday may represent Martin’s last chance to stop mounting anger from turning toxic.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the do-or-die clash:
When is Rangers vs Celtic?
Rangers host Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic at Ibrox Stadium this Sunday, 31st August 2025 in the William Hill Premiership, for matchday four.
The match will kick off at 12.00pm GMT.
Is Rangers vs Celtic on TV and will I be able to live stream the Old Firm clash?
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra HDR, with coverage starting at 11am GMT.
The match is also available via Now TV with a subscription.
Rangers TV will also be showing the match visually and via audio for those out with the UK who are subscribed.
BBC SportsSound will broadcast the game on Radio.
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Team news
Rangers remain without the long-term injured Dujon Sterling, along with Kieran Dowell and Rabbi Matondo for this match.
Nasser Djiga will return from suspension; Max Aarons is available as his red card vs Brugge will only be in effect for European competition.
Cyriel Dessers is a doubt to start the match after his injury away to Viktoria Plzen. Lyall Cameron is also a doubt due to a knock picked up in Belgium during the week.
Clinton Nsiala and Leon King are unlikely to feature and have all been told they can depart Ibrox before the end of the transfer window.
The future of Nicolas Raskin remains in doubt, with conflicting reports over whether he will be involved on Sunday or sold before the window shuts on Monday.
Celtic are without the injured Alistair Johnston and Austin Trusty in defence, along with the long term injured Jota.
Adam Idah and Yang Hyun-jun may depart the Hoops ahead of Sunday with both linked with moves to Swansea City and Birmingham City. Kasper Dolberg may sign in time to debut, whilst confirmed signing Michel-Ange Balikwisha is in the squad.
For Rangers, they may have new signings by then such as Bojan Miovski, Derek Cornelious and Youssef Chermiti to pick from, with all having medicals booked or completed.
Who is the referee for Rangers vs Celtic Old Firm at Ibrox?
Don Robertson will take charge of this Sunday’s Glasgow Derby clash at Ibrox.
This season he has already overseen two fixtures, both featuring Rangers and Celtic. He was in charge of Celtic’s 1-0 opening-day victory over St Mirren, where he brandished three yellow cards and, after a VAR review, ruled out a Callum McGregor strike for handball.
Just a week later, he took charge at Ibrox for Rangers’ 1-1 draw with Dundee, sending off Nasser Djiga for a professional foul before awarding the late penalty that salvaged a point for the home side. He again issued three bookings in that encounter.
He will be assisted by Dan McFarlane and Chris Rae on the sidelines. The fourth official will be Matteo Marchetti.
Marco Di Bello will be assisted by Calum Scott in the VAR room.
Referee: Don Robertson
AR1: Dan McFarlane
AR2: Chris Rae
Fourth Official: Matteo Marchetti
VAR: Marco Di Bello
AVAR: Calum Scott