Every Rangers vs Celtic pundit prediction as Jermain Defoe senses title glory while John Hartson names ultimate fear
It's set to be a blockbuster showdown at Ibrox with both sides of the Old Firm pushing for the title.
It's almost time for the game that has got everyone talking as Rangers look to move above Celtic with a crucial win at Ibrox.
Brendan Rodgers' men will face a cauldron when they step onto the pitch in Govan with the pressure of the Scottish Premiership title race ramping up on both sides. Celtic go into the game a point ahead of their rivals - but have played a game more than Philippe Clement's side with the top six split just around the corner. Rodgers goes into the game with plenty of derby day experience having won 12 of his 15 as Parkhead boss - including the two so far this term.
But it has been a remarkable turnaround at Ibrox since the Clement stepped into the hot seat to replace Michael Beale - with the season now the closest title race since the 2010-11 campaign. A win for Rangers would put them two-points clear of the Hoops - and with their game in hand scheduled for midweek they could extend that to five with a win over Dundee before Celtic kick a ball again - should they earn derby day bragging rights.
But how will it go, and how will come out on top? Plenty of pundits have been having their say on Sunday's showdown.
Jermain Defoe
Speaking to Sky: "Having the experience of being up there and winning the league, you take each game as it comes. The Old Firm is the best football match in the world, in my opinion.
"It's all to play for. I'm confident that the boys can go on and win the league. It'd be fantastic for everyone involved at the football club. I'm looking forward to watching the game, I might even go."
Andy Walker
Speaking to talkSPORT: "You look at the faces of the Rangers fans when they lost at home to Aberdeen under Michael Beale. Rangers were a million miles away from contending for the title. So I think all credit to Philippe Clement, he has changed the attitude of so many there.
"The whole stadium will be behind the home side. Where Celtic have the upper hand, they have already beaten Rangers at Ibrox and followed it up with a win at Celtic Park. It's a game that could go either way."
Barry Ferguson
Speaking to Go: "As much as I try not to get ahead of myself or take anything for granted, I do feel very strongly that whoever wins Sunday’s Old Firm game will go on to wrap up the championship. And, in all honesty, I feel even stronger that it’s going to be my old club."
Martin Keown
Speaking to talkSPORT: "I am pretty certain that Brendan Rodgers will be going in there with that big game ambition. He has a lot of experience going in there compared to the Rangers manager, and they recently lost to Motherwell at home. So why can’t Celtic go there and win? Whoever wins this one will be Scottish champions.”
Alan Brazil
Speaking to talkSPORT, he Celtic diehard said: "It’s a huge game. I think Celtic can win, but even with a draw, the final game will be at Celtic Park. I can see Celtic beating Rangers there. This is going down to the wire, don’t you worry about that.”
Craig Moore
Speaking to Sky Sports: “For me (this is) as big an Old Firm game as I’ve seen in a long, long time. I think that if Rangers were to win this match and also win their rescheduled game against Dundee I think Rangers will win the title I think it’s massive. At this stage the momentum, and obviously the short period between now and the end of the season, I think it would be too big [to overturn] if Rangers were to get their noses in front.”
Ally McCoist
Speaking to talkSPORT BET, he said: “Sunday’s Old Firm derby is a coin flip – I don’t think there is anything between the two sides. Rangers were dreadfully unlucky in the last game against Celtic at Ibrox, they had a goal disallowed for nothing and Kyogo Furuhashi scored an absolute wonder goal, which to be fair he has always been more than capable of. The fact that Rangers have the home advantage here will be absolutely vital.
"Old Firm games are usually massively important, but the next one is more important than ever! If Rangers can win this game then it will be a massive step for them towards lifting the Scottish Premiership title. Celtic’s from has been erratic at times, there’s no getting away from that. There has been a little bit of unrest in their camp as well, but you never know what is going to happen in an Old Firm derby. I think Rangers will win the game 2-1 and go on to win the title – but only just."
Darragh McAnthony
On talkSPORT, the Peterborough chairman said: "The pressure is on Brendan Rodgers. For me, I was a bit like why go back there. You had such success and if it doesn't work, it's expected you win the Treble. If he is pipped by Rangers, his career will take a sideways swipe."
Ian Murray
Speaking to PLZ, he said: "It's really tight, tighter than I thought it was going to be even with the change of Rangers manager. I thought Celtic were just a wee bit ahead but that is not the case. I would not like to pick a winner at the moment but I'd lean a little bit towards Celtic as they have been over the course. Rangers have done fantastically well, the new manager has come in and got them going again. I'd hate to have to call it.
Chris Sutton
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "The fact of the matter is Celtic have messed up and messed up badly this season. They've beaten Rangers twice and they've let an eight-point lead go, and Rangers have dragged that back on them. I'm quite excited - it is not often there has been a title race in the last number of seasons, so it is all about who holds their nerve.
"That trip to Ibrox is the acid test. Rangers are bullish and don't think they're going to lose it from their position so it is up to Celtic to prove everyone wrong. We've got one hell of a title race on in Scotland this season."
Derek Ferguson
Speaking to PLZ, he said: I don't think Rangers should even be in this position. It's all down to the manager. I don't think it's a title decider. There will be a few bumps in the road for both sides. I think Rangers 2-1.
John Hartson
Speaking to Go, he said: “This is a game for big players. Top players stand out and normally make the difference. Rangers have got a couple and Celtic have them. It is so difficult to call. The only reason I say Rangers for me are slight favourites is because of the home advantage.”
Lee McCulloch
Speaking to PLZ, he said: 'Have Celtic got experience in games that could be title deciders? Not for years. It could go either way. I am going to go with home advantage, 1-0 to Rangers. Dessers."
Kenny Miller
"I'm trying to think back to a bigger game, and I'd probably go to the 2008-09 season where we were in a very similar situation, only it was us who were chasing Celtic down, so our game at Ibrox meant even more, because they were the ones in control at that stage of the season. We won that game and went on to win the league title."
Alan Thompson
Speaking to PLZ: “It’s eleven v eleven on the pitch. Irrespective of what’s going on around the ground, how many fans they’ve got, how many fans Celtic have got, you’ve just got to be able to cope with the occasion. I think the team that copes with the occasion and copes with getting the ball down and calm and collective possession and things like that, will probably go on and win the game.”
Kris Boyd
Speaking to The Sun, the pundit said: "Clement ’s side HAVE to beat Celtic. It’s strictly correct to say nothing will be decided for Gers at Ibrox, win, lose or draw. And I’m not saying it would be impossible for Rangers to clinch the league if they don’t win. But any dropped points and it’s advantage Celtic in the title race."
Jackie McNamara
Speaking to Sky, he said: "Celtic have won the first two games this season and their problems haven’t been against Rangers this season, it is other teams that are sitting in. You would expect Rangers being at home with the support they have got to try and dominate the ball, which creates space. If Celtic keep the intensity up from the very start I think there are areas they can hurt (Rangers). It’s a really important one because there are not many games left. It is imperative Celtic don't lose the game, because obviously Rangers have the game in hand and there are not many games to go. A draw wouldn't be the worst result.”