Rangers v Celtic Video Preview: Celtic Are Vulnerable - And Rangers Know It

Ryan Tucker

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Last updated: Thu 26 Feb 2026 14:00

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Ryan Tucker 26 Feb 2026

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Rangers aim to exploit Celtic's defensive weaknesses in the Old Firm Derby.
High-stakes match with Hearts leading the league, intensifying pressure.
Expert insights predict a high-scoring game with Rangers favored to win.

Rangers v Celtic Video Preview: Celtic Are Vulnerable - And Rangers Know It

Celtic battered in Europe. Beaten at home domestically. Defensive injuries piling up. And suddenly Rangers are favourites going into the Old Firm derby.

Rangers v Celtic Video Preview: Celtic Are Vulnerable - And Rangers Know It
What’s at Stake in This Match?
How Both Teams Arrive
The Key Factor: Celtic’s Defensive Instability
Expert Insight From Sports Week
Expected Outcome

This is not a normal title race. It is second versus third. Hearts sit above them both. And this derby could effectively end someone’s championship hopes.

What’s at Stake in This Match?

With Hearts leading the table and playing before this fixture, pressure may already be heightened by kickoff. If Hearts win, this becomes a must-deliver scenario.

For Rangers, defeat could open a damaging gap. For Celtic, inconsistency has already eroded belief. A loss here would further damage a campaign that has been littered with missteps, from managerial changes to recruitment stagnation.

How Both Teams Arrive

Rangers have grown steadily under Danny Rowe. The poor start under previous management cost them early, but their form has improved dramatically. A recent 4-2 win over Hearts underlines that they are capable of rising to big occasions.

Celtic arrive with defensive uncertainty and psychological doubt. Heavy defeat in Europe followed by a domestic loss has punctured confidence. The squad has not evolved enough, and recruitment inertia is now being exposed.

The Key Factor: Celtic’s Defensive Instability

Derbies are chaotic by nature, but weakened centre-backs in a high-intensity game is a dangerous combination. Rangers have the attacking tools to exploit that vulnerability.

If Rangers start fast and attack that defensive pairing aggressively, Celtic may struggle to regain composure.

Expert Insight From Sports Week

Dan does not sit on the fence. He expects Rangers to win and expects goals. The form lines and defensive issues point toward a high-scoring, high-drama afternoon at Ibrox.

Expected Outcome

Rangers seize control of the derby. Celtic’s title hopes wobble further. And the Scottish Premiership narrative continues to shift away from Glasgow dominance.

Ryan is an Australian sports content writer, producing insights and analysis for NRL, AFL and Basketball. He is also our YouTube host and presenter, can be found on Bets.com.au and is also a co-founder of The Sport Cap and The Basketball Fix.

From humble beginnings in Western Sydney growing up playing and refereeing Rugby League to running European wide Australian Rules Football tournaments there is a mountain of experience in between.

Multiple trips to North America has also deepened the love for the four major US sports and a continuing dream to catch as much live action as possible.

Stats and data analysis has now outgrown the hobby tag and the countless models and simulations are now being put to good use writing previews and predictions for NRL.

You can find Ryan on Muckrack and LinkedIn.