Rangers and Celtic played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the Old Firm derby at Ibrox leaving both teams scrambling to chase down Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.
In a match of two halves Rangers were the dominant force over the first 45 minutes with high intensity, high pressing and a clinical striker in Youssef Chermiti. He opened the scoring with a wonderful overhead kick before bullying Julian Araujo off the ball to poke home a second for Gers.
Martin O’Neill responded by making half-time changes and Reo Hatate’s introduction brought more impetus for Celtic. The momentum of the game swung their way and Kieran Tierney capitalised with a sublime header to revive their title hopes.
A well fought battle melded into a nervous finish and a dramatic VAR intervention – correctly judging Dujon Sterling to have handled the ball inside Rangers’ box – set the stage for Hatate to score a stoppage time penalty and earn the Hoops a draw.
The derby ended in points shared but Hearts’ lead at the top of the table is now six points with Rangers sitting second and Celtic third.
Relive the updates from Rangers v Celtic in the Old Firm, below:
Rangers v Celtic LIVE: Latest Old Firm updates
- Rangers draw 2-2 with Celtic in Old Firm at Ibrox
- 90+1' GOAL! Hatate pokes in after penalty rebound (RAN 2-2 CEL)
- 89' PENALTY! Sterling handles the ball in the box (RAN 2-1 CEL)
- 56' GOAL! Tierney heads in Celtic's first to revive hopes for the Hoops (RAN 2-1 CEL)
- 26' GOAL! Chermiti's strength allows him to poke in a second (RAN 2-0 CEL)
- 8' GOAL! Chermiti's overhead kick sends Rangers ahead (RAN 1-0 CEL)
Martin O'Neill speaking to BBC Scotland:
14:50 , Mike Jones"It was obviously a great game. We were well and truly second best in the first half, for almost all of it. They got off to a great start.
"The second goal wasn't great play by us, however. It was a long way back at half-time, but this side has shown a great determination, got the ball down and played.
"The second half belonged to us and we got an equaliser which we thoroughly deserved.
"If you're 2-0 down at half-time, you have to question yourself. I spend my life questioning myself, to tell you the truth. But anyway, we pulled it round second half. Great effort by the players, they've shown great spirit."
Reaction from Danny Rohl:
14:45 , Mike Jones"At the moment, the feeling is more disappointment because you dropped two points after a 2-0 lead.
"It's not about 50 minutes, it's about longer. We had high intensity, we played really nice football, we found our space. It was great.
"In the second half, we were not clinical in possession. We made some wrong decisions then we lose the ball, we give them a little bit of momentum then they score early in the second half and then you know it's 2-1 and they have nothing to lose.
"Finally, it's a draw. It's always a little bit lucky for a team to get a late pen. This is normal, I would say it's the same when we get a pen late in the game. It's about the next game and we have to move on.
"We go again. We'll try next week in the cup game again a good performance and hopefully we can keep our performance over 90 minutes.
"There are still nine games to go, this is 27 points. All games now will be tough for all the teams. We believe until the end. This season, the decision making will be on the last matchday."
Callum McGregor speaking to Sky Sports:
14:23 , Mike Jones"It's difficult when you come here and the crowd get on top of you. They're a good side, they're direct, they make you defend.
"We were by far the better team second half. Long way to go, a point is a good result, it keeps it in our hands as well."
Reaction from Kieran Tierney:
14:19 , Mike Jones"When we came out for the second half, we were a totally different team. We're unlucky not to get all the points in the end.
"We let ourselves down first half, it wasn't how we wanted to play. Second half we showed the character. We're here for this ongoing fight."
Celtic earn draw in Old Firm clash of two halves
14:06 , Mike JonesMartin O’Neill is warmly applauded by the Celtic fans as he goes over to clap them after the match.
The 74-year-old made decisive changes at half-time which swung the game and earned a draw for the Hoops.
A sensational game
14:03 , Jamie Braidwood at IbroxA sensational game, drama until the end - but there is not a single hint of a celebration from either manager or their players.
“Instead, there's a flare-up, with Raskin and Maeda separated.
“Hearts are the big winners here, after an Old Firm that flipped at half time, while highlighting the shortcomings of both.
“Still, the Celtic fans in the corner will be singing for a long time yet after salvaging a point. Rangers fans head home from Ibrox disappointed.”
Rangers 2-2 Celtic
13:55 , Mike Jones90+6 mins: There goes the whistle.
Certainly a match of two halves with Rangers the dominant force in the first and Celtic the aggressors in the second.
A draw in the end and a few handbags swung after the whistle with Martin O’Neill telling his players to head away.
The real winner of this result is Hearts.
Rangers 2-2 Celtic
13:51 , Mike Jones90+3 mins: There’s five minutes of stoppage time to play plus a bit more due to the time it took to take the penalty.
Will there be another late twist to this thrilling Old Firm derby?
Another huge moment
13:50 , Jamie Braidwood at IbroxAnother huge moment.
“Celtic find another late goal and there could still be plenty of time.
“Hearts will be celebrating that Hatate goal just as much as Celtic - a draw suits them perfectly.”
GOAL! Rangers 2-2 Celtic (Reo Hatate, 90+1')
13:49 , Mike JonesGoal!
Reo Hatate places the ball on the spot and surrounded by a chorus of boos he drills it low.
Butland dives the correct way and keeps it out!
Hatate pokes at the rebound, Butland denies him again!
The ball stays in play but Hatate finally pokes it home on the third attempt!
Rangers 2-1 Celtic
13:47 , Mike Jones89 mins: The referee has been called over to the pitchside monitor and looks through the replays. Maeda’s header hits Sterling on the hand before bouncing up to hit Butland.
It’s a penalty and the referee points to the spot!
Celtic have their moment of reprieve!
Rangers 2-1 Celtic
13:45 , Mike Jones87 mins: James Forrest has come on for the visitors and lifted a cross into the box.
Maeda is on the end of it but from point blank range nods the ball at Butland who keeps it out!
But wait, there’s a VAR check going on. Did Sterling handle the ball after Maeda’s header?
Rangers 2-1 Celtic
13:43 , Mike Jones86 mins: Rangers win a late corner and it’s curled into the box.
There’s a cluster of bodies that leap towards the ball but none get on the end of it.
Celtic eventually hook it clear.
Rangers are hanging on
13:41 , Jamie Braidwood at IbroxMartin O’Neill wheels away and has his head in his hands after that huge chance for Luke McCowan.
“Rangers are hanging on.
“Danny Rohl’s players are telling themselves to calm down and control the game.
“The Ibrox crowd are trying to pull them through it.”
Rangers 2-1 Celtic
13:41 , Mike Jones83 mins: Dujon Sterling is so strong as he’s tasked with a one v one against Sebastian Tounekti.
Sterling sends the Celtic man down the left side and forces him wide before shouldering him off the ball and winning a goal kick.
It was dangerous for Rangers but a blinding piece of defending.
Rangers 2-1 Celtic
13:39 , Mike Jones80 mins: Into the final 10 minutes now and it feels as though this game is going to open right up.
Celtic believe they can score again, Rangers want to close it out.
Diomande weaves into the box but doesn’t shoot!
He tries to square it to a striker but the Rangers players are too advanced and the attack goes begging.
Rangers 2-1 Celtic
13:34 , Mike Jones76 mins: Celtic transition quickly into a counter and feed the ball up to Nygren on the edge of the box.
He’s brought down under a lunging tackle and wins a free kick in a dangerous area.
Nygren himself takes the free kick but blasts the shot into the wall.
Rangers 2-1 Celtic
13:32 , Mike Jones73 mins: Changes from both managers as this match moves towards the business end.
Yang Hyunjun and Kieran Tierney make way for Luke McCowan and Marcelo Saracchi.
Danny Rohl also makes a switch, Andreas Skov Olsen coming off for Djeidi Gassama.
Rangers 2-1 Celtic
13:29 , Mike Jones70 mins: Close!
Tierney gets forward on the left side and delivers a decent cross into the box.
Nygren is there to win the header but his attempt flies wide of the near post.
Ibrox is nervy
13:28 , Jamie Braidwood at IbroxCeltic are now doing to Rangers what Rangers were doing to them in the first half, swarming midfield, bursting forward, forcing desperate clearances up field and going again.
“Ibrox is nervy.”
Rangers 2-1 Celtic
13:27 , Mike Jones66 mins: Rangers have tried to take control of the ball and are battling in midfield.
Mohamed Diomande was deployed to mark Callum McGregor a couple of times last year and has been brought on.
Rangers 2-1 Celtic
13:21 , Mike Jones63 mins: Celtic managed one shot in the first half and have already had six in the second.
Another chance falls to Daizen Maeda who wins a header inside the Rangers area but deposits it straight into the hands of Butland.
Rangers 2-1 Celtic
13:20 , Mike Jones60 mins: An hour played at Ibrox and the Celtic fans are the ones celebrating now.
It’s a tight and tense match now after a first half of Rangers dominance.
Celtic fly forward again on the right wing. There’s a cross but it is blocked and nudged out for a corner.
Tierney’s delivery is met by Emmanuel Fernandez before Skov Olsen completes the clearance.
Signs of life at last...
13:17 , Jamie Braidwood at IbroxSigns of life at last for Celtic… and as Rangers’ defending became more desperate, Kieran Tierney arrives!
“He runs straight past the Celtic supporters, waving them on.
“Game on!”
GOAL! Rangers 2-1 Celtic (Kieran Tierney, 56')
13:15 , Mike JonesA Celtic goal here would make things interesting.
This has been their best spell of the match by a long way.
There it is!
Hatate slips the ball inside to Nygren on the edge of the box.
He flicks it over to the right where Kieran Tierney leaps and powers a header past Butland!
Game on.
Rangers 2-0 Celtic
13:13 , Mike Jones53 mins: It’s been a better start to the half from Celtic.
They’ve come out baring their teeth and it’s the substitute Reo Hatate who blazes a strike from range and forces Jack Butland into a sharp stop to his right.
Rangers 2-0 Celtic
13:07 , Mike Jones50 mins: Nearly!
Moore floats a cross in from the inside right channel and Liam Scales flicks it on trying to clear the ball.
Instead it drops to Rommens who just manages to touch the ball towards goal where Sinisalo scoops it up.
Rangers 2-0 Celtic
13:04 , Mike Jones47 mins: It’s more of the same from Rangers who press high and win a corner.
They whip a cross to the far side of the box where Chermiti knocks is across to Skov Olsen.
His shot hits a defender and deflects wide of the far post.
Second half! Rangers 2-0 Celtic
13:03 , Mike JonesCeltic get the ball rolling for the second half.
The last time the visitors came from 2-0 down to beat Rangers was in 1983.
Can they do so again today?
HT Rangers 2-0 Celtic
12:59 , Mike JonesTwo goals from Youssef Chermiti sees Rangers bring a comfy lead into the second half.
A sensational performance from Rangers
12:55 , Jamie Braidwood at IbroxAs sensational performance as that was from Rangers and Youssef Chermiti, that was dire stuff from Celtic.
“With not a single shot on target, they have been completely overrun.
“As Chermiti is given a standing ovation, Celtic’s title challenge looks in tatters.”
HT Rangers 2-0 Celtic
12:51 , Mike JonesRangers’ dominance is easily on display when you look at the stats.
Seven shots for the hosts and goals came from the two that were on target.
Celtic’s response has been one lone shot that was missing anyway.
The Hoops have had more of the possession but Rangers have made 20 touches in the opponent’s box compared to just five for Celtic.
The Gers are also ahead in forward passes (75 to 70), long balls (36 to 24) and successful final third passes (48 to 15).
Half-time! Rangers 2-0 Celtic
12:47 , Mike Jones45+1 mins: An incredible half of football comes to an end at Ibrox with Rangers in total control.
Celtic have been bullied and battered all over the pitch and Youssef’s Chermiti’s clinical nature in front of goal have given the hosts a comfortable lead.
Expect changes from the Hoops at the start of the second half, it hasn’t worked out for them so far.
Rangers 2-0 Celtic
12:45 , Mike Jones44 mins: Nygren receives the ball after a smooth move down the right from Celtic but he’s bullishly moved off it by Chukwuani.
Rangers just seem sharper and stronger in every aspect today.
It’s worrying for Celtic and their fans.
Rangers 2-0 Celtic
12:42 , Mike Jones41 mins: Can Celtic hold out until half-time?
Rangers are pushing for another goal and you’d think a third would kill this match off.
A cross field pass out to the left just flies over the Rangers winger and heads out for a Celtic throw in.
Rangers 2-0 Celtic
12:38 , Mike Jones38 mins: An opportunity for Celtic perhaps?
They win a free kick over on the right wing and inside Rangers’ final third - just.
Oxlade-Chamberlain stands over the ball and lofts a cross into the far side of the box.
The header loops the ball more centrally but Butland is on hand to grasp the ball and bring it under control.
Rangers 2-0 Celtic
12:37 , Mike Jones35 mins: It’s been super impressive from Rangers for the first 35 minutes or so in this game.
Celtic have been passengers and haven’t been able to counter-attack or lay a punch in the hosts.
Martin O’Neill needs to come up with an answer to this Rangers onslaught as soon as he can.
'Chermiti scores again'
12:32 , Jamie Braidwood at Ibrox“Chermiti scores again” rings around Ibrox - an unthinkable sound six months ago.
“This is not turning into a happy 74th birthday for Martin O’Neill.”
Rangers 2-0 Celtic
12:31 , Mike Jones30 mins: Ouch!
John Souttar leaps towards an aerial pass and clatters into Junior Adams who takes a knee to the back and drops to the ground.
It’s a sore one but the striker is okay and hobbles back to his feet.
Rangers 2-0 Celtic
12:30 , Mike Jones29 mins: Chermiti’s desire to win the ball in the Celtic box earned him that goal.
It didn’t seem possible that the Rangers fans could get any louder but the noise level inside Ibrox has shot up.
GOAL! Rangers 2-0 Celtic (Youssef Chermiti, 26')
12:27 , Mike JonesAnother one!
This is poor from Dane Murray. Mikey Moore dinks the ball into the box and Murray misses it when trying to clear.
The ball bounces through to Julian Araujo who is bounced off the ball by Youssef Chermiti before the striker pokes it past Viljami Sinisalo and doubles Rangers’ lead.
Rangers 1-0 Celtic
12:24 , Mike Jones23 mins: Jack Butland takes a knock to the side of the head having dropped low to scoop up a pass from Kieran Tierney and leapt in front of the nearest Celtic man.
He’s fine and it’s a brave stop from the Rangers goalkeeper.
Rangers have flattened Celtic
12:23 , Jamie Braidwood at IbroxCeltic are still to get a foothold in this game. Rangers have flattened them in midfield.
“Mikey Moore and Nico Raskin are buzzing around and causing Celtic all manner of problems.
“It's all quiet in the Celtic end, too.”
Rangers 1-0 Celtic
12:19 , Mike Jones18 mins: There’s been a bit more forward momentum from the Hoops.
They win themselves a corner through Kieran Tierney and Benjamin Nygren on the left side.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain whips the set piece into the box but Rangers deal with it well enough.
Rangers 1-0 Celtic
12:18 , Mike JonesChermiti’s strike was a genuine wonder goal and it has rightfully given Rangers the lead.
Can Celtic get themselves back into this match?
Rangers 1-0 Celtic
12:16 , Mike Jones15 mins: Rommens is judged to have committed a foul over on Celtic’s right side.
There’s been around 45% of play happening in Celtic’s final third and they’ve relieved the be able to boot the ball forward.
Still, Rangers recover it and look forward once again.
Rangers 1-0 Celtic
12:14 , Mike Jones12 mins: There’s little Celtic can do to weather this storm from Rangers.
They’ve shot out of the traps in this match and the Hoops are trying as best they can to settle things down.
The home crowd and insatiable and very loud. Incredible atmosphere.
That is unbelievable
12:12 , Jamie Braidwood at IbroxThat is unbelievable.
“Shades of Scott McTominay. Youssef Chermiti has done it again in a big game!
“An astonishing goal and start for Rangers, who began far sharper than Celtic.”
GOAL! Rangers 1-0 Celtic (Youssef Chermiti, 8')
12:10 , Mike JonesWOW!
That is a spectacular goal!
Rangers have been pushing and pushing for this opener. They win the ball back high on the left wing and scurry it across to Dujon Sterling who slips a pass into the box for Andreas Skov Olsen.
From the right he hangs a cross into the middle where Youssef Chermiti leaps and nails an overhead kick right into the back of the net!
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
12:08 , Mike Jones7 mins: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain dallies on the ball and loses possession.
Rangers sweep forward again and find Mikey Moore.
He lines up a shot from just outside the box and hits one only for Dane Murray to get his head on the effort.
Rangers press again and win themselves a corner.
From the set piece, Moore plays it short before receiving it back to cross from a better angle.
He flicks it over to Nicolas Raskin to backheels a shot at goal but is denied by Sinisalo!
Then the offside flag goes up against the Rangers forward.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
12:05 , Mike Jones4 mins: Rangers from probe the left wing once with Chukwuani combining well with Mikey Moore and Tuur Rommens in a fluid move.
Moore looks to drill a low curling pass into the middle but the ball is intercepted and Celtic look to transition quickly into attack.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
12:03 , Mike Jones1 min: Close!
Rangers turn over the ball and switch the play out to Tochi Chukwuani on the left side of the pitch.
He touches the ball into the box but is forced too wide to shoot.
Instead he lifts a cross into the box as Celtic scramble to get back but the pass is too close to the goalkeeper and Viljami Sinisalo plucks the ball out of the air.
Almost a rapid start from Rangers there.
Kick off! Rangers 0-0 Celtic
12:01 , Mike JonesRangers get the ball rolling for this Old Firm derby.
The hosts work the ball over to the right wing where the ball bobbles out of play for a Celtic throw in.
This clash is underway!
Ibrox is absolutely bouncing
12:00 , Jamie Braidwood at Ibrox
Ibrox is absolutely bouncing before kick-off.
“The Celtic fans, who could be heard hours before kick-off as they had to arrive early, have not stopped signing and now the Rangers support have turns up the volume.
“This is huge for both. Neither can afford to lose if they are to chase down Hearts.”
Rangers vs Celtic
11:59 , Mike JonesThe teams make their way out onto the pitch at Ibrox.
This is a huge clash of rivals that will have a genuine impact on the title hopes of both teams.
Whoever wins will be in prime position to challenge Hearts but whoever loses will find it hard to recover from slipping behind in the race.
Kick off is up next...
Pre-match thoughts from Martin O'Neil
11:52 , Mike Jones"Not that I look forward to birthdays, but if it had crossed my mind at Christmas time where I'd have been, I wouldn't be thinking about spending the day at Ibrox.
"It's a huge day for the football club, and for both clubs. We've been chasing now endlessly, and this is it. The games are running out and today's game is very important.
"Kasper [Schmeichel] was poorly this morning. We thought we'd just leave him if that was the case. [Viljami] Sinisalo did really well for us on Thursday. Kasper has been terrific in my couple of spells here.
Celtic out to improve recent league record at Rangers
11:44 , Jamie BraidwoodCeltic have not won any of their last five league meetings with Rangers, losing three and drawing two.
Away from home, Celtic have won just two of their last 12 away trips to Rangers in all competitions. Their last win at Ibrox in the league was in September 2023.
Remarkably, in the 450th Old Firm, a Celtic win would level the all-time head-to-head at 172 wins each, with 106 draws.
Rangers vs Celtic
11:35 , Mike JonesCeltic have lost seven games in the Scottish Premiership this season, as many as they did in 2023-24 (three) and 2024-25 (four) combined.
They last suffered more defeats in a league campaign in 1999-00 (nine) - with their eighth defeat that season coming away to Rangers (4-0 in March 2000).
Danny Rohl asks Rangers players to use 'hot hearts and smart minds'
11:29 , Jamie BraidwoodRangers’ form under Danny Rohl has been impressive and today they have the chance to win 11 home games in a row for the first time since December 2013, when they were under Ally McCoist.
Rohl, who could become the first Rangers manager ever to win both of his first two Old Firm derbies in the league, had a simple message for his players before hosting Celtic at Ibrox.
"Do it with a hot heart and a smart mind,” he said.
“If we do this, then we have a big chance. We have a clear idea of what we want to do, we also have some different solutions for how we can hurt them, but let's see.
"I think this game is not about the legs, it's about the mind, the brain and how ready you are in these moments.”
Rangers vs Celtic line-ups
11:25 , Mike JonesCeltic XI: Sinisalo, Araujo, Murray, Scales, Tierney, McGregor, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Nygren, Yang, Maeda, Adamu.
Subs: Doohan, Cvancara, McCowan, Tounekti, Saracchi, Hatate, Arthur, Forrest, Donovan.
📋 The Celtic XI for today's Glasgow Derby#RANCEL | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/gdNsFD0XCs
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) March 1, 2026
Rangers vs Celtic line-ups
11:23 , Mike JonesRangers XI: Butland, Sterling, Souttar, Fernandez, Rommens, Chukwuani, Raskin, Moore, Skov Olsen, Chermiti, Naderi.
Subs: Kelly, Meghoma, Djiga, Tavernier, Aasgaard, Bajrami, Gassama, Diomande, Miovski.
💙 Today’s team to face Celtic at Ibrox.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) March 1, 2026
📲 Full Team News | https://t.co/ivbRHezHks pic.twitter.com/oDVsjmnxo3
Martin O'Neill embracing challenge of another trip to Ibrox
11:14 , Jamie BraidwoodMartin O'Neill, who turns 74 today, will be heading to Ibrox to take charge of an Old Firm match for the first time since April 2005 and is relishing the pressure of the title race.
O'Neill’s first spell in interim charge included a 3-1 win over Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-finals; he won six of his 11 visits there as a manager in his previous spell.
"Yes, in a perverse sort of way I did [enjoy trips to Ibrox]. Honestly, they are still great games,” O’Neill said.
"But as the great Walter Smith once said, [these are] games to have relief at once they're over, particularly if you get a result.
"Of course you can be a bit euphoric, but I think relief might be the biggest way to describe it.”
Danny Rohl responds to claim that 'no one touches' Celtic
10:59 , Jamie BraidwoodIt’s fair to say Rangers boss Danny Rohl was far from impressed with Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan’s assessment that “we know if we're at it no team in that league touches us”.
Rohl pointed to Celtic’s position in the league as he hit back and said: “I think at the moment we are in the second position, they are behind us. They have at the moment seven or eight defeats.
“I think in general it makes no sense to speak too much about the other side, we have to focus on ourselves.
“We want to win this game. I see my team is ready to take points and then we'll see on Sunday. Hopefully both teams try everything and I'm confident that we have a big chance of winning this game.”
'If we're at it, no team in that league touches us'
10:44 , Jamie BraidwoodCeltic’s Luke McCowan claimed “if we're at it, no team in that league touches us” following his side’s win at Stuttgart, despite the Hoops trailing both Hearts and Rangers in the title race.
Celtic have had their struggles this season but McCowan, who scored the wining goal in Germany as they exited the Europa League, says Celtic are unstoppable when they hit top gear.
“We’re feeling really good,” McCowan said ahead of the trip to Rangers. “I mean, we need to go there with the confidence from tonight.
“We know it's going to be a hectic atmosphere, a lot of pressure on the game for both teams especially.
"But we just know we've got enough in that dressing room and we need to go in with the right attitude and the right hunger.
"I guess you want a good performance that can lead to a good result. We know if we're at it, no team in that league touches us. We need to have that mentality going in.
"As Celtic players, we need to know we're champions still until we lose it. Right now, we've not lost it, so we need to have that mentality.”
Martin O'Neill hits back at Danny Rohl's 'extraordinary' pre-match comments
10:29 , Jamie BraidwoodAfter Danny Rohl said it would be “interesting” to see whether Martin O’Neill would pick either Kasper Schmeichel or Viljami Sinisalo for the Old Firm, the Celtic boss hit back by saying the Rangers manager’s comments were “extraordinary”.
"So he's picking our team? Well done, old Danny, well done. He's only in less than a year himself. He'll soon know all about it in the next four or five years,” O’Neill said at a press conference.
"I must sit down here and see if I can find out.... maybe he might have a choice of some players and maybe I could put my oar in there and find out what he's doing.
"Listen, sorry, I have to laugh. He's had a comment about our team, as in the picking of the team? Extraordinary. Absolutely extraordinary. He hasn't been in Glasgow long."
Rangers boss Danny Rohl ramps up mind games before facing Celtic
10:17 , Jamie BraidwoodRangers boss Danny Rohl ramped up the mind games before hosting Celtic by bringing up Martin O’Neill’s decision to drop Kasper Schmeichel for back-up goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo in the 1-0 win at Stuttgart in midweek.
Sinisalo had a fine performance in place of the under-fire Schmeichel, who was one of eight changes and has been struggling for form in recent weeks.
“It will be interesting as well, the goalkeeper position, what he will do now, let's see,” Rohl said.
“I think when you see the line-up from yesterday, the starting line-up, then I expect some changes, it's normal, they try to use the full squad.
"I was a little bit surprised after 1-0 that they're not trying to win this game, 2-0, 3-0, to have a chance. They keep the result until the end.”
Hearts extend lead at top of Scottish Premiership table to put pressure on Old Firm rivals
10:04 , Jamie BraidwoodSir Alex Ferguson watched on as Hearts defeated Aberdeen 1-0 to move seven points clear of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
The former Manchester United boss was at Tynecastle as a guest of Jambos manager Derek McInnes and he saw Claudio Braga score what proved to be the only goal of the game just before the half-hour mark.
The Jambos had enough chances to have won more convincingly, but their supporters greeted the full-time whistle with jubilation as they stretched their lead over Rangers and Celtic.
Hearts extend lead at top of table to put pressure on Old Firm rivals
Rangers return to Ibrox after dropping points at Livingston
09:54 , Jamie BraidwoodRangers crashed back down to earth after beating Hearts at Ibrox a couple of weeks ago as they were held to a 2-2 draw by bottom club Livingston in west Lothian.
Danny Rohl’s side fell 2-0 down before Livingston were reduced to 10 men and the visitors launched a furious comeback, equalising through goals from Emmanuel Fernandez and Mikey Moore.
Still, it was more costly dropped points away from home.
Celtic salvage some pride with victory in Stuttgart
09:44 , Jamie BraidwoodCeltic’s nightmare season took another turn for the worst as they lost twice at home in the space of four days last week; first losing 4-1 to Stuttgart in the Europa League and the 2-1 to Hibs to suffer a potentially damaging blow in the title race.
Martin O’Neill made eight changes for the return leg to Stuttgart and a battling, committed performance to earn a 1-0 win, as well as a first-ever win on German soil, salvaged some pride and gives Celtic something to build on as they now travel to Ibrox.
What is the Celtic team news?
09:36 , Jamie BraidwoodMartin O’Neill will have to decide whether to start under-fire goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel after he was dropped from the victory in Stuttgart in midweek and replaced by Viljami Sinisalo, who performed well between the posts, as one of eight changes. Auston Trusty is suspended. Luke McCowan impressed in Germany and could have earned a start.
Possible Celtic XI: Schmeichel; Araujo, Scales, Murray, Tierney; McGregor, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Hyunjun, Nygren, McCowan; Adamu
What is the Rangers team news?
09:33 , Jamie BraidwoodRangers will check on the fitness Dujon Sterling and Ryan Naderi before facing Celtic. Youssef Chermiti scored a hat-trick on his last outing against Celtic while Andreas Skov Olsen is likely to start despite being taken off at half-time in the draw at Livingston.
Possible Rangers XI: Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Fernandez, Rommens; Raskin, Chukwuani; Skov Olsen, Moore; Naderi, Chermiti
When is Rangers v Celtic and how can I watch it?
09:31 , Jamie BraidwoodThe Old Firm kicks off at 12pm on Sunday 1 March at Ibrox.
It will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
Good morning and welcome
09:30 , Jamie BraidwoodRangers host Celtic in a crucial Old Firm that could go a long way to deciding the outcome of a thrilling three-way Scottish Premiership title race.
Both Glasgow clubs, who between them have won every league title in Scotland since 1985, are trailing leaders Hearts as the season enters the run-in.
This will be Rangers boss Danny Rohl’s first taste of the Old Firm at Ibrox - having beaten Celtic 3-1 away from home at the turn of the year.
Celtic, now led by interim manager Martin O’Neill for the second time this season, will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to Hibs.
Neither can afford another slip-up now.
