Is Celtic v Rangers on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch Old Firm

The Scottish Premiership title race has been injected with a seismic dose of drama, and this weekend’s Old Firm derby between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park could be the defining moment of the entire campaign. With the league’s traditional duopoly under genuine threat from a resurgent Heart of Midlothian, the stakes have never been higher for both Glasgow giants. For Celtic, this is a must-win; for Rangers, it is a chance to play the ultimate spoiler.

The narrative has shifted dramatically in recent weeks. While the Old Firm have dominated Scottish football for decades, the Jambos—under the tactical stewardship of Martin O’Neill—are daring to dream of a title that would break a 40-year hoodoo. Every point is precious, and every fixture carries the weight of history. Here is everything you need to know about how to watch the match, the key talking points, and what to expect from a fixture that could reshape the league table.

Celtic v Rangers: TV channel, live stream, and kick-off time

For supporters desperate to witness the action, the Celtic v Rangers clash will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football. Kick-off is scheduled for 12:00 PM BST on Saturday, with pre-match coverage beginning an hour earlier. The match will also be available to stream via the Sky Go app for existing subscribers.

If you are outside the UK, check local listings, as broadcast rights vary by region. In the United States, the game will be available on CBS Sports Network and via Paramount+. For Canadian viewers, DAZN holds the rights. Fans in Australia can tune in via Optus Sport.

Key broadcast details at a glance:

• Date: Saturday
• Kick-off: 12:00 PM BST
• UK TV: Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Football
• UK Stream: Sky Go app
• US TV: CBS Sports Network
• US Stream: Paramount+
• Referee: Don Robertson (subject to final confirmation)

Title race implications: Why Celtic cannot afford to drop points

The Scottish Premiership table has been turned on its head. Hearts currently sit at the summit, and their 1-1 draw at Motherwell—a result that sparked controversy after a disputed penalty decision—means the door is slightly ajar for Celtic. A victory over Rangers would reduce the gap to just one point, putting immense pressure on the Jambos to respond.

For Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, this is the moment his team’s resilience will be tested. The Hoops have been inconsistent in recent weeks, but the Old Firm derby has a habit of rewriting narratives. “We know the importance of this fixture,” Rodgers said in his pre-match press conference. “We have to be aggressive, clinical, and show the mentality of champions.”

Rangers, meanwhile, find themselves in an unfamiliar position. Their 2-1 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle on Monday—despite taking a first-half lead through a Danny Rohl strike—has all but extinguished their own title ambitions. However, the Ibrox side would relish nothing more than derailing Celtic’s charge. A win for Rangers would not only keep their slim mathematical hopes alive but would also hand a massive advantage to Hearts.

Current top-three scenario (before this match):

• Hearts: 68 points (played 30)
• Celtic: 66 points (played 29)
• Rangers: 62 points (played 30)

If Celtic win: Celtic go to 69 points, one behind Hearts with a game in hand. If Rangers win: Celtic remain on 66, and Hearts’ lead grows to five points with seven games left.

Team news, tactics, and key battles

Both sides have injury concerns that could shape the tactical approach. For Celtic, the fitness of Kyogo Furuhashi remains a major talking point. The Japanese striker is the club’s top scorer and his movement in behind the Rangers defence is vital. Meanwhile, Matt O’Riley has been pulling the strings from midfield, and his battle with John Lundstram will be crucial in the engine room.

Rangers will look to Abdallah Sima and Todd Cantwell for creativity, but their defensive fragility has been exposed in recent away games. The return of Connor Goldson from illness provides a boost, but the backline must cope with Celtic’s high press and quick transitions.

Expert analysis: The key tactical battle will be in the wide areas. Celtic’s full-backs, Alistair Johnston and Greg Taylor, love to push high, but Rangers’ wingers—particularly Rabbi Matondo—have the pace to exploit the space left behind. If Rangers can win the second balls and break quickly, they can hurt Celtic. However, if Celtic dominate possession and force Rangers deep, the home side’s quality in tight spaces should prevail.

Predicted line-ups:

• Celtic (4-3-3): Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; McGregor, O’Riley, Hatate; Maeda, Kyogo, Jota
• Rangers (4-2-3-1): Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Yilmaz; Lundstram, Diomande; Matondo, Cantwell, Silva; Dessers

Prediction: Can Rangers play the spoiler?

This is a fixture where form often goes out the window, but the underlying data suggests Celtic hold the edge—especially at Parkhead. The home crowd will be a cauldron of noise, and the psychological blow of seeing Hearts drop points will only fuel the belief that the title is still within reach. Rangers, however, have nothing to lose. They can play with freedom, and their recent record in derbies—including a 3-3 thriller at Ibrox earlier this season—shows they can cause problems.

The midfield battle will be decisive. If Callum McGregor can control the tempo and O’Riley finds space between the lines, Celtic will create chances. Rangers need Mohamed Diomande to be physical and disrupt that rhythm. Defensively, the visitors must avoid the individual errors that have plagued them in big games.

My prediction: Celtic’s desperation and home advantage will be the difference. Expect a tense, high-energy contest, but the Hoops will edge it. Celtic 2-1 Rangers. Kyogo to score the winner in the second half.

Strong conclusion: The biggest Old Firm in years

This is not just another Old Firm derby. It is a crossroads for Scottish football. A Celtic victory keeps the title race alive and breathes fire into a campaign that has been dominated by the narrative of Hearts’ challenge. A Rangers win, however, would be a devastating blow to Celtic’s hopes and a major boost for the Jambos, who would then control their own destiny.

For the neutral, this is box-office entertainment. For the supporters, it is the kind of pressure that defines careers and legacies. The Scottish Premiership has not seen a three-horse race this compelling in a generation, and the outcome of this single fixture could be the final twist in a story that is far from finished.

Make no mistake: this is a game that will be talked about for years. Whether you are watching on Sky Sports, streaming via Paramount+, or following live updates, do not miss a second of the action. The Old Firm is back, and it is more important than ever.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.