Celtic Vs. Rangers, Old Firm Derby: Preview, Bhoys Can Go Top With Win

The days of Celtic and Rangers being major European powers are long gone. As long as the Scottish Premier League exists in its current state, they will not be relevant on the global stage, and to a lot of old school football fans, that’s just plain wrong. But much like Fenerbahce - Galatasaray, Schalke 04 - Borussia Dortmund, and Boca Juniors - River Plate, it is always relevant when Celtic and Rangers play each other. The games are always hard-fought, the atmosphere is always incredible, and there is almost always a Scottish Premier League title hanging in the balance in an Old Firm Derby.

Rangers got off to a blistering start in the league while Neil Lennon’s side struggled, but Lennon was able to hang onto his job by the skin of his teeth. The teams have reversed fortunes in recent weeks, with Celtic now just one point behind Rangers coming into their match on Wednesday.

The first meeting of the season between the two teams was a wild one, with Rangers coming away as 4-2 winners at Ibrox Stadium. Celtic went into halftime 2-1, but Rangers started the second half as the stronger side and clawed back to take a 3-2 lead. Charlie Mulgrew was sent off in the 75th minute, making a comeback nearly impossible. Rangers added the fourth goal in stoppage time.

Rangers would go on to extend their lead at the top of the table over the next month and a half, but things have changed since early November, when Rangers had a double-digit point lead. Gers have dropped points, while Celtic have won eight in a row. Last week, Rangers had two men sent off in a 2-1 loss to St. Mirren, while Celtic defeated Kilmarnock by the same score. That took them to just one point behind their rivals, putting them into a position where they can go top with a win.

Game Date/Time: Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2:30 p.m. ET, 7:30 p.m. GMT

Venue: Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland

TV: Sky Sports 1 (UK), Sportsnet World (Canada)