Rangers vs Celtic injury news: 10 out and 2 doubts for Ibrox Old Firm blockbuster as title race tension grows
Latest injury and team news ahead of Sunday’s mouth-watering Scottish Premiership clash between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox
The latest instalment of the Old Firm derby promises to be a pivotal encounter as Rangers host fierce rivals Celtic in a match that could have big implications for the Premiership title race.
The momentum pendulum has swung in Glasgow heading into this fixture with Danny Rohl’s side having turned Ibrox into a fortress of late, scoring 17 goals in their last three home games including a 4-2 victory over league leaders Hearts.
While the Light Blues dropped two points during their surprise 2-2 draw with bottom club Livingston last weekend, they will hope to pounce on a Celtic side that has been leaking goals of late - albeit they did keep a clean sheet in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The Hoops will travel across the city uplifted by their famous first-ever win on German soil as they beat Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart 1-0 at the MHP Arena yesterday evening. However, the score line wasn’t enough to prevent Martin O’Neill’s men from exiting the competition after a 4-2 aggregate loss.
Prior to their historic triumph, the reigning Scottish champions had been reeling from a bruising week that saw them suffer a shock 2-1 home defeat to Hibs. To compound their misery, key defender Auston Trusty will miss their next three domestic games through suspension following his red card last weekend.
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The Parkhead outfit, who sit in third spot and can ill afford to lose any further ground on the two clubs above them, will also have to contend with potential fatigue after their Euro exploits.
Here, GlasgowWorld has rounded up the early team and injury news ahead of Sunday’s mouth-watering league encounter in Govan.
Dujon Sterling (Rangers) - OUT
Luckless defender is expected to remain absent for the next couple of matches after suffering yet another set-back which ruled him out for the Livingston game last weekend
Arne Engels (Celtic) - OUT
Belgian midfielder faces several weeks out with a thigh injury he picked up against Livingston earlier this month. A big blow
Oliver Antman (Rangers) - DOUBT
Finland international was described as having “some problems” by Danny Rohl after sitting out the trip to West Lothian last Sunday. Rated doubtful for this one as a result
Auston Trusty (Celtic) - SUSPENDED
American central defender will serve the first of a three-match suspension after his sending off against Hibs last weekend
Derek Cornelius (Rangers) - OUT
On loan Marseille defender hasn’t been seen since November due to a significant muscle injury that required surgery. Now back in light training after a delay in his recovery.
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic) - OUT
American centre-back is likely to miss the rest of the campaign with an bad Achilles problem. Hasn’t featured since the end of October
Connor Barron (Rangers) - OUT
Scotland international was in a rich vein of form before picking up a knee injury. Hasn’t played since January but now on the comeback trail. Could be back in training this weekend, but still some way away from getting back to full fitness
Callum Osmand (Celtic) - OUT
Suffered a nasty hamstring injury against FC Midtjylland in early November which required surgery. Not expected to return until March at the earliest
Julian Araujo (Celtic) - DOUBT
Mexican right-back missed the Stuttgart game out in Germany after picking up a knock earlier in the weekend. His involvement in Sunday’s fixture could now be doubtful
Bailey Rice (Rangers) - OUT
Midfielder won’t play any part in the first-team for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on what was described back in November as an unspecified “significant injury”
Alistair Johnston (Celtic) - OUT
Canadian defender finds himself in a similar situation to team-mate Osmand, with hamstring surgery expected to keep him sidelined until next month
Jota (Celtic) - OUT
Portuguese winger won't play again this season after suffering a setback in his efforts to return from an ACL injury he suffered last April