Rangers News take a look at what Rangers have in store for them in the Scottish Premiership compared to Celtic before the all-important Old Firm showdown.
Just three league games separate Rangers and Celtic from the next derby clash at Ibrox and there are only two points between the Glasgow arch-rivals.
The Light Blues hold the upper hand at the moment and are in sensational form. Philippe Clement’s side haven’t lost or drawn a single game since the winter break and benefitted from a couple of Celtic slip-ups.
Brendan Rodgers and his Hoops side are certainly not firing on all cylinders but have managed to grind out results without losing too much ground in the title race.
However, they produced one of their best displays of the campaign against Dundee on Wednesday with a 7-1 thrashing and ominously for Rangers, that could be the spark that ignites their own title charge.
So who are Rangers playing between now and April 7 and how does it match up with what Celtic have in store? Let’s explore the Light Blues first.
Rangers fixtures before Old Firm
Motherwell (H) – March 2
Out of the next three fixtures preceding the derby for Rangers, facing Motherwell at home is the most winnable.
The Steelmen have won just four games since the beginning of September and just one was recorded on the road.
Let’s be frank about it, nothing other than a Rangers victory would be an embarrassment against one of the leakiest defences in the top-flight.
League position: 8th
Current form: WLLDL
Previous meeting: Motherwell 0-2 Rangers (December 24, 2023)
Dundee (A) – March 17
Tony Docherty has got Dundee playing some fantastic football during his first season as a manager and the club’s first back in the Scottish Premiership since 2021/22.
The likes of Luke McCowan, Scott Tiffoney and Lyall Cameron have been tremendous but like Motherwell, Dundee can be found wanting defensively.
They have conceded the joint-most goals in the league so far and shipped five to Rangers when the sides last met at Dens Park in November.
League position: 6th
Current form: LLWWL
Previous meeting: Rangers 3-1 Dundee (December 9, 2023)
Hibernian (H) – March 30
Hibs have started to improve their results under Nick Montgomery and are on a four-game unbeaten streak following a decent point gained away to Hearts in the Edinburgh derby midweek.
But they are far too inconsistent and have beaten Rangers just once in the last 21 meetings between the sides, as per Fitbastats.
League position: 7th
Current form: DWDWL
Previous meeting: Hibernian 0-3 Rangers (January 24, 2024)
Rangers News verdict
Quite simply, Rangers should be able to secure maximum points in these three fixtures given the fantastic form the team are in.
There’s little room for error but under Philippe Clement, there are no signs of faltering on the horizon. Of course, the Europa League last 16 tie sandwiched in between Scottish Premiership duties could pose more of a risk in terms of injuries and conditioning.
Celtic may well go into the derby fresher but if Rangers can give Benfica two extremely competitive games then there should be no fear at all in facing our title challengers at Ibrox. Let’s take a look at what Celtic have in the league.
Celtic fixtures before Old Firm
Hearts (A) – March 3
St Johnstone (H) – March 16
Livingston (A) – March 31
Current form: WWDWW
Average opposition league position: 8th
Celtic will be expecting to gain maximum points from these three fixtures but could get off to a bad start at Tynecastle on Sunday.
It’s a tough place to go and given Celtic’s bumpy form, it would be no surprise to see them drop points and potentially trail Rangers by four or five points.
The Hoops lost to Hearts at Parkhead in December so Rangers will be encouraged by the prospect of gaining a further advantage in the title race ahead of what is a tantalising Old Firm derby match in Govan.
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