CELTIC have major injury concerns as they bid to atone for two recent derby defeats to Rangers in the final Old Firm derby of the season.
The Hoops were already set to be without Jota until at least the start of next season, but THREE other key members of Brendan Rodgers’ squad were also posted missing from training just 48 hours out from the game.
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Brendan Rodgers has a few injury issuesCredit: Kenny Ramsay
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Brendan Rodgers has his sights set in a third domestic Treble as Celtic managerCredit: PA
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Barry Ferguson is looking to guide Rangers to a hat-trick of wins over CelticCredit: PA
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The Hoops travel to Ibrox for their first game since sealing the titleCredit: Kenny Ramsay
There was no sign of Daizen Maeda or Nicolas Kuhn at today’s training session at Lennoxtown – with Alistair Johnston also posted missing.
While the Hoops have form for giving veteran members of their squad additional days off with the match not falling on Sunday, fans will nonetheless be concerned with so many of their most potent attacking weapons skipping training.
If they can’t return, it could mean a spot for veteran winger James Forrest, with Yang Hyun-Jun also laid low with recent injuries.
Experienced whistler Nick Walsh will take charge as Rangers host Celtic hoping to make it a hat trick of Old Firm wins this weekend.
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The Hoops are a Scottish Cup final win over Aberdeen away from a sensational sixth domestic Treble in ten years and they’ll be keen to stop Rangers achieving a treble of their own at Ibrox.
Celtic have coasted clear of the chasing pack to secure a fourth straight Scottish Premiership title with four games remaining.
But one challenge they’ve found harder to crack is their Glasgow rivals, at least since Celts’ comfortable 3-0 win in the first meeting of the sides this season.
The second Premiership Old Firm clash saw Gers stun the Hoops to win by the same scoreline and end their bitter foes’ unbeaten domestic record.
And last month they did the job again, going 2-0 up, being pegged back to 2-2 and eventually winning a thriller 3-2 at Parkhead.
There has been a fourth game between the two outside the Premiership, as another classic ended 3-3 in the League Cup final, with Celts scooping the trophy on penalties.
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And now experienced whistler Walsh will take charge of proceedings in the fourth league meeting of the season.
While it’s ostensibly a dead rubber, there’s no such thing in this fixture.
Walsh controversially IGNORED VAR advice as he sent off the Ibrox side’s Mohamed Diomande earlier in the season.
Their title-clinching 5-0 win over Dundee United on Saturday meant they couldn’t extend the ‘title race’ an extra week and give themselves a chance to rub salt in the Rangers wounds by confirming their crown at Ibrox.
They would also have needed Gers to beat St Mirren for that to be possible – but they didn’t, extending their winless run against the Buddies to three games with a 2-2 draw at the SMISA Stadium.
Barry Ferguson had demanded five wins from five from his stuttering stars to end the season, but they fell at the first hurdle.
What time does Rangers vs Celtic kick off?
- The Old Firm derby takes place TOMORROW, Sunday, 4 May.
- The match kicks off at 12pm UK time.
- It will be held at Ibrox.
- Nick Walsh is the match referee with Frank Connor and Dougie Potter running the lines.
- Andrew Dallas is on VAR duty
What TV channel is Rangers vs Celtic on and can I live stream it?
- The Old Firm derby is live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
- Coverage starts at 11am – an hour before kick-off.
- You can stream the game on the Sky Sports app or website, or on the Now TV app or website.
Team news
Rangers only have another four games to endure this season, and they’ll be without Dujon Sterling and Ridvan Yilmaz for all of them.
Leon Balogun has trained after an operation on his damaged cheekbone and could play in a mask if there’s no adverse reaction to training.
Findlay Curtis, who recently made his first-team debut for Gers, was spotted on crutches following the Glasgow Cup final between the Old Firm’s youth sides.
Celtic are still awaiting the return of Kasper Schmeichel from a shoulder injury sustained in last month’s international break.
That’s despite the Dane returning to light training a few weeks ago.
The Hoops will be WITHOUT Jota and Alistair Johnston, who got an injection in his hip after the title was clinched.
Yang Hyun-Jun, who injured his elbow in the defeat to St Johnstone earlier this month, is back in training and could be able to feature.
Kuhn, who has had “a little bit of a niggle”, is expected to play – as is Maeda.
Latest odds
Rangers 13/5
Draw 11/4
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Celtic 10/11
Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes, correct as of 30/4/2025.
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