Celtic go top with first league derby win in seven
Hatate lashed in twice, before Abada nudged in third just before break
McGregor made four saves in first half hour to thwart rampant Celtic
Van Bronckhorst suffers first defeat in 14 games
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound
Quote MessageWould you expect the referee to stop the game when the ball is coming back in from that Celtic corner? If it went on and was third phase, you'd have a legitimate question. But it happened so fast. I'm not sure the Rangers players have something to argue about.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
Kenny Miller
Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound
Quote MessageRangers players are furious. Two of their players ran into each other and were wiped out - it's a clear head knock. They are all over referee Bobby Madden.
Reo Hatate
Celtic Park erupts as Reo Hatate coolly shifts the ball from his left foot to his right on the edge of the box following another Celtic corner and rifles an angled shot inside the post.
A slight deflection helped take it away from goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
Image source, BBC SportCeltic 0-0 Rangers
Celtic play the first corner of the night short and when the ball is flighted in there's chaos in the Rangers penalty box, with Greg Taylor's shot charged down.
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
A peep of the whistle from referee Bobby Madden and away we go.
Celtic v Rangers (19:45)
Kenny Miller
Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound
Quote MessageI think this Rangers team is better than Celtic's. There is far more experience in this fixture. If you had Alfredo Morelos in there, it's probably Rangers' strongest team. Kemar Roofe brings something different - a cleverness, maybe better movement. They can absolutely get three points tonight.
Celtic v Rangers (19:45)
The teams are out. The Celtic Park disco lights are dimmed for a blast of 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.
Celtic v Rangers (19:45)
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst tells Sky Sports: "It's a big game, you want big games in your career. They don't come bigger than this.
"We don't have our fans with us. It's unfortunate we don't have them, but we are here to make them proud.
"We have to make sure we are concentrated and focussed on the game. My players are used to pressure."
Image source, SNSA win for Van Bronckhorst's men puts them five points clear
Celtic v Rangers (19:45)
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou says "it's really pleasing" Callum McGregor returns but confirms the captain will have to wear a protective face mask tonight.
"He never ruled himself out," he tells BBC Sportsound. "He trained well yesterday and he feels comfortable. It's great for everyone."
On the magnitude of the fixture, Postecoglou adds: "The players know it's a big game. They understand the significance of the fixture, you want them to.
"They'll realise at kick-off this isn't another game. Our job is to make sure we remain focussed in what we do."
Image source, SNSA win for Postecoglou's side will take them top of the league
Celtic v Rangers (19:45)
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound
Quote MessageLast year, there were so many changes to the Celtic backline. You were never sure who would play. Ange Postecoglou has changed things up, but they are all of a high quality. He could easily have picked Anthony Ralston and Liam Scales tonight and I don't think there would have been a big difference. But you need consistency with your goalkeeper and centre-backs, and Celtic have had that.
Celtic v Rangers (19:45)
Kenny Miller
Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound
Quote MessageCarl Starfelt is there to be got at. He looks uncomfortable on the ball - and Celtic's centre-backs spend a lot of time on the ball. I'm scared he's going to lose it every time. If I was Kemar Roofe, I'd be playing on him. I'd be targeting him. He's not the biggest either.
Celtic v Rangers (19:45)
So, Celtic haven't beaten Rangers since the December 2019 League Cup final.
The most recent meeting at Celtic Park ended 1-1 in March last year when Rangers had already secured the title.
Tonight should be a far cry from that dead rubber... Under Ange Postecoglou, Celtic like to come flying out of the traps, so the pace should be blistering from minute one.
Celtic v Rangers (19:45)
Image source, SNS/BBCCeltic v Rangers (19:45)
That summer meeting at Ibrox extended Rangers' unbeaten run in this fixture to seven games in all competitions, with six wins and one draw.
Celtic v Rangers (19:45)
When the Glasgow rivals met at Ibrox in late August, Filip Helander headed in the only goal to give Covid-hit Rangers victory in what was the first derby in front of fans since December 2019.
Image source, SNSFilip Helander thumped in a header from a Borna Barisic corner to settle the last derby
Celtic v Rangers (19:45)
Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer on Sportsound
Quote MessageCeltic have won seven games by a goal. Some of those were pretty hairy. Liel Abada against Dundee United, Anthony Ralston against Ross County. I'm saying this as a compliment to them. They have fantastic attacking platers but they're not blowing teams away. They're having to grind it out. It's a big tribute to them.
Celtic v Rangers (19:45)
Image source, SNS/BBCCeltic v Rangers (19:45)
Kenny Miller
Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound
Quote MessageIt's pretty much as expected for Rangers. I thought Kemar Roofe would have started on the weekend, but maybe they were saving him for tonight. I think you'll get the best version of the Rangers midfield you saw before the winter break. Roofe is more of a goal threat and seems to know the role and play it better than Cedric Itten. That will suit Scott Arfield and Joe Aribo.
Celtic v Rangers (19:45)
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound
Quote MessageCallum McGregor has got a mask over that beautiful face. It's great to see him back and a real bonus for Celtic. He'll be up for the rough and tumble of a game against Rangers and you can be sure he'll be knocked about in that midfield. Matt O'Riley will give them height, which is an area I worry about - set-pieces are a big thing.
Image source, SNSCeltic captain Callum McGregor is wearing a protective mask this evening
Celtic v Rangers (19:45)
Rangers' Allan McGregor is a veteran of these fixtures and has been the scourge of Celtic on many occasions but the goalkeeper comes into this game under a bit of pressure after two bad errors cost goals in the 3-3 draw with Ross County.
"There were no discussions around taking him out of my team," said manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst yesterday.
“Allan is our number one and has saved us many times."
Image source, SNSRangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor warming up at Celtic Park