Idah To Lead The Line | Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Rangers | OneFootball

Celtic, once again champions, will travel to Ibrox to face Old Firm rivals Rangers for one final time this season. Despite their supremacy in Scottish football, they have struggled against the Gers, with two defeats in the past two meetings. Their last trip on the south side of the River Clyde ended in a 3-0 humiliation, and it remains to be seen whether Brendan Rodgers’ Bhoys feel enough motivated to seek revenge, having conquered the Premiership crown with four league games remaining.

For Rangers, it has been a disappointment on all fronts. Besides a Europa League quarter-final heartbreak against Athletic Club, they suffered a setback in the tie-breaker while clashing heads with the Hoops in the League Cup final. Their Scottish Cup challenge ended prematurely following a dreadful defeat against minnows Queen’s Park. With the Premiership race already over, another triumph over their bitter rivals would boost the supporters with some jubilation before next season.

Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Rangers

Defence

Young Viljami Sinisalo must be excited for his first Old Firm experience amid Kasper Schmeichel’s injury absence. He grabbed two clean sheets in a row during Celtic’s back-to-back 5-0 wins against Kilmarnock and Dundee United; however, it won’t be a stroll in the park for the Finnish custodian on Sunday afternoon.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MARCH 16: Daizen Maeda of Celtic challenges Jack Butland of Rangers FC before he gathers the ball during the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic FC and Rangers FC at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Rodgers must opt for Alistair Johnston down the right, even though Anthony Ralston has impressed in limited gametime. Liam Scales has reclaimed his starting status in the heart of the backline ahead of Auston Trusty and Maik Nawrocki. Cameron Carter-Vickers is irreplaceable in deep defence, and the wantaway Greg Taylor has returned to the starting XI, replacing Jeffrey Schlupp in recent games. The Celtic ‘back four’ should remain unaltered as they conceded just once in their past three outings.

Midfield

The return of Paulo Bernardo has restored depth and balance in the centre of the pitch. They missed Callum McGregor deep down the midfield in a 2-3 Parkhead defeat against the Light Blues. But his presence this weekend should allow them more composure and control with or without the ball. Arne Engels and Reo Hatate must operate box-to-box as the ‘number 8s’, with Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo could be involved as second-half substitutes.

Attack

An injury sustained against the Tangerines will keep Jota sidelined for the rest of the season. High-flying Daizen Maeda should be shifted down the left to incorporate Adam Idah high up the pitch. The Irishman netted a brace last weekend, and so did Nicolas Kuhn, as his quickfire first-half double must see him feature again from the right-hand flank. Veteran James Forrest and young Johnny Kenny might grab some minutes with Yang Hyun-Jun ruled out with an elbow injury.