Eight match facts ahead of Celtic’s trip to Ibrox to face Rangers | OneFootball

Celtic face Rangers this afternoon in the Premiership as Brendan Rodgers’ side look to go 17 points clear. Rangers have been ravaged with injuries going into this game but will have the benefit of a full home crowd with no Celtic fans in attendance.

Thanks to One Football, here are eight match facts ahead of the Glasgow Derby this afternoon.

1. Rangers have enjoyed only one win in their last 14 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D4 L9), a 3-0 league victory in May 2023 under Michael Beale. This match was a dead rubber with Ange’s side having already won the league.

2. After losing all four of their away games against Rangers in all competitions in 2021, Celtic have since lost just one of five away Glasgow Derby matches (W2 D2).

Matt O’Riley of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between theRangers FC and Celtic FC at Ibrox Stadium on April 07, 202. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

3. Celtic have scored the opening goal in nine of the last 10 league derbies, the only exception coming when Rangers did so in May 2023 (3-0 win). The side going 1-0 up lost none of those 10 fixtures (W7 D3), with the last to do so in the Scottish Premiership being Rangers in April 2022.

4. Celtic have only lost their opening league game of a calendar year in one of the last 27 years (W20 D6), although that was away at Rangers in 2021 (1-0).

5. Rangers have only lost their first league game of a calendar year in one of the last 13 years (W10 D2), a 1-2 defeat to Kilmarnock in 2019.

Rangers v Celtic – cinch Premiership – Ibrox Stadium Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers arrives for the cinch Premiership match at Ibrox Sunday April 7, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

6. Rangers’ James Tavernier and Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi both have six goals in league derbies. Since the Scottish Premiership began in 2013, only Odsonne Édouard (7) has netted more times in this fixture in the division.

7. Rangers boss Philippe Clement is yet to beat Celtic in six attempts in all competitions in charge of the club (D2 L4); the only manager to go as long or longer before winning a Glasgow Derby (for either side) is William Wilton with the Gers from 1890 to 1893 (first 8).

Daizen Maeda celebrates after scoring the Premier Sports Cup Final victory over theRangers at Hampden on 15 December 2024. Photo AJ for The Celtic Star

8. Celtic’s Daizen Maeda has scored three goals in his last five appearances against Rangers in all competitions, this after only netting once in his first 12 Glasgow Derby appearances prior.