Celtic vs Rangers Preview, Predictions, Analysis & Tips

2025/2026 Premiership, Scotland

Celtic Park Sun, 10 May - 11:00 AM

Premiership

Celtic CEL

Rangers RAN

Full Time Sun, 10 May 11:00 AM

Round 36 2nd Phase

Daizen Maeda - 57', 53'

Hyun-jun Yang - 23'

Mikey Moore - 9'

CONTEXT

Celtic triumphed 3-1 over Rangers in a closely contested match. The sides were level at 1-1 at halftime, reflecting the even nature of the first period with Celtic holding 51% possession to Rangers' 49%. As the stronger team entering the game, Celtic capitalized in the second half to secure the victory without any red cards disrupting play. The result marked a significant structural deviation of 50.3% in Celtic's favor, highlighting their dominance despite the balanced possession. Pre-match expectations leaned towards Celtic, and the outcome aligned with those projections. No major tactical adjustments were noted in the second half, allowing Celtic's quality to prevail in this high-stakes encounter.

TL;DR

Structural deviation: Celtic's 3-1 win showed a significant structural deviation of 50.3%.
Efficiency shift: Efficiency shift remained in line with expectations.
xG alignment: xG alignment undetermined due to unavailable data.
Market alignment: Result fully aligned with pre-match market expectations.
xG expectations: xG expectations unavailable for evaluation.
Event impact: No key events or adjustments altered the match flow.
Red card distortion: No red cards occurred, resulting in zero distortion.

No standings statistics available.

No head-to-head records found.

0.5+ goals: 85%

1.5+ goals: 70%

2.5+ goals: 50%

3.5+ goals: 25%

Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15

Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%

Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

Team	xPts
Home	1.8
Away	1.2

Match referee

N. Walsh

Scotland 25 matches in sample

Avg. cards

0.12

Fouls / match 0.52

Yellow cards / match 0.12

Red cards / match 0

Penalties / match 0

Other match officials

M. McDermid

4th Official

Scotland

F. Connor

1st Assistant

Scotland

D. McFarlane

2nd Assistant

Scotland

M. O'Neill

D. Röhl

2.08

Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)

2.13

Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)

Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)

28 - 14 - 23

Win Probabilities

Live Win Probability (90 Min)

Celtic

49.7%

Draw

24.44%

Rangers

25.85%

Movement

Changes since opening

Celtic

-48.19%

Draw

+22.52%

Rangers

+25.65%

Team Power Ranking

79.14

75.95

0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)

Metric

Celtic

Rangers

Power Score

79.14

75.95

League Position

Global Rank

100

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

Celtic — Opponent-weighted form score

Rangers — Opponent-weighted form score

Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Celtic Rangers

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

Celtic

Left / Center / Right —

Opposition half density —

vs season average —

Rangers

Left / Center / Right —

Opposition half density —

vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

Celtic ⚠ Proxy

⚠ Proxy Rangers

Attacking Efficiency

Higher is better

Attacking Efficiency

22.25

23.47

Defensive Efficiency

Lower is better

Defensive Efficiency

23.47

22.25

Combined Efficiency Index

-3 0 3

Celtic -0.12 Efficiency Index

Rangers +0.12 Efficiency Index

xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.

Celtic

Rangers

AttackEff = xG ÷ pos

DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Celtic ⚠ Proxy

⚠ Proxy Rangers

Created Set-piece attacking threat

Celtic Rangers

Set-piece xG Share

—

Goals per Match

0.00 0.00

vs Expected (xG)

— vs —

Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure

Celtic Rangers

Set-piece xGA Share

—

Conceded per Match

0.00 0.00

vs Expected (xGA)

— vs —

xG set-piece data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using proxy metrics (shots, dangerous attacks). Confidence: Medium.

Celtic

Rangers

xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG

vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

Celtic

Rangers

Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence

Celtic Rangers

Goals per Match ↑ better

—

Shots per Match ↑ better

—

Dangerous Attacks ↑ better

—

Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure

Celtic Rangers

Goals Conceded ↓ better

—

Shots Conceded ↓ better

—

Dangerous Attacks Conceded ↓ better

—

Celtic

Rangers

Window = 15s post-possession change

Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

RAN had peak pressure around 97'.
RAN started the game with stronger pressure.

CEL Pressure RAN Pressure

⚡

Pressure Index: RAN reached the top pressure at 97' (88.19).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 65 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Celtic CEL Home

65 matches

Rangers RAN Away

Match Record

Wins

Draws

Losses

Goals

Goals Scored

Goals Conceded

+16

Goal Difference

-16

Data last updated: 2026-05-11T00:02:10+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1

12 V. Sinisalo

2 A. Johnston

6 A. Trusty

5 L. Scales

63 K. Tierney

27 A. Engels

42 C. McGregor

14 L. McCowan

8 B. Nygren

13 H. Yang

38 D. Maeda

1 J. Butland

25 T. Rommens

37 E. Fernandez

24 N. Djiga

2 J. Tavernier

42 T. Chukwuani

8 C. Barron

47 M. Moore

10 M. Diomande

18 O. Antman

9 Y. Ramalho Chermiti

General Information

Date & Time :

May 10, 2026, 11:00 AM

Competition :

2025/2026 Premiership, Scotland · Round 36 · 2nd Phase

Stadium :

Celtic Park

Capacity :

60411

Pitch Surface :

Grass

Weather :

☀️ 12°C, Fair

Referees :

Matthew McDermid

N. Walsh

Frank Connor

Daniel McFarlane

Statistics

Possession

CEL

50%

RAN

50%

Top Statistics

3 Goals 1

3 Big Chances Created 2

4 Shots 3

47 Dangerous attacks 50

51 Possession 49

1 Corners 7

15 Free kicks 27

6 Yellow Cards 2

Match Overview

7 Goal Kicks 6

36 Successful Dribbles Percentage 47

18 Throwins 17

73 Ball Safe 86

14 Dribble Attempts 15

5 Successful Dribbles 7

7 Goal Attempts 4

2 Assists 0

5 Substitutions 4

0 Hit Woodwork 1

2 Injuries 0

Attacking

104 Attacks 85

1 Big Chances Missed 1

Possession

81 Successful Passes Percentage 78

344 Successful Passes 310

423 Passes 400

30 Successful Long Passes Percentage 30

37 Long Passes 53

11 Successful Long Passes 16

8 Key Passes 7

Defensive

2 Saves 1

51 Duels Won 67

6 Interceptions 6

15 Tackles 20

Build-up

16 Total Crosses 24

3 Accurate Crosses 10

Discipline

25 Fouls 13

1 Offsides 2

Lineup

Referee : N. Walsh

Manager ▼

M. O'Neill Coach

Starting XI ▼

Viljami Sinisalo Goalkeeper

Alistair Johnston Defender

Anthony Ralston

Defender81'

Liam Scales Defender

Auston Trusty Defender

Kieran Tierney Defender

Marcelo Saracchi

Defender84'

Benjamin Nygren Midfielder

Reo Hatate

Midfielder76'

Hyun-jun Yang Midfielder

Kelechi Iheanacho

Attacker81'

Luke McCowan Midfielder

Sebastian Tounekti

Attacker46'

Arne Engels Midfielder

Callum McGregor Midfielder

Daizen Maeda Attacker

Substitutes ▼

Sebastian Tounekti

Attacker46'

Reo Hatate

Midfielder76'

Anthony Ralston

Defender81'

Kelechi Iheanacho

Attacker81'

Marcelo Saracchi

Defender84'

Bench ▼

Ross Doohan Goalkeeper

Dane Murray Defender

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Midfielder

James Forrest Midfielder

Referee : N. Walsh