Rangers 0-1 Celtic LIVE! Maeda goal – Old Firm derby match stream, latest score and updates today

(Action Images via Reuters)

Rangers vs Celtic – LIVE!

Celtic look to move 12 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership as they make the short trip to Ibrox to face Rangers in this afternoon’s Old Firm derby. It’s 12 wins in a row in the league for Ange Postecoglou’s side, who look to be marching towards defending their title.

Rangers are in good form themselves, winning their last four matches with Michael Beale making a strong start to life in charge at the club. This is a must-win game for the hosts though if they’re to keep themselves in touch in the title race.

Alistair Johnston makes his debut for Celtic as he starts at right-back, while Postecoglou has opted for James Forrest in front of him. As for Rangers, Alfredo Morelos is fit to start and leads the line for the hosts. Follow all the action below with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog!

Rangers vs Celtic latest news

GOAL! Maeda gives Celtic early lead

How to watch: Sky Sports

Rangers team news: Morelos leads the line

Celtic team news: Johnston and Forrest start

Evening Standard prediction

13:15 , Matt Verri

42 mins: Morelos’ best, well first, moment of the match. Tavernier whips the corner in, free header for Morelos six yards out and he sends it over the bar. Had to score.

Celtic swiftly on the counter, Tillman does well to stop Kyogo getting a shot away. Juranovic tries his luck from distance, miles over.

13:13 , Matt Verri

41 mins: Neither side can keep hold of the ball all of a sudden, so many loose passes. Ibrox faithful less than impressed.

Juranovic with a nice reverse ball this time, Maeda in so much space but he goes for an ambitious first-time effort and it drifts over the bar.

13:10 , Matt Verri

38 mins: Maeda lays it back to Hatate, his shot from the edge of the box is blocked. Came after Kyogo made a complete mess of his effort.

Better couple of minutes for Celtic, they look back in control again now. Morelos is not offering any sort of out-ball for the hosts.

13:07 , Matt Verri

35 mins: Sakala looks to cut inside, wins a corner for Rangers. Pressure building and the hosts need to take advantage.

Story continues

Barisic over to take it, great delivery right on top of Hart and it’s headed wide by Tillman who got in front of the goalkeeper.

13:05 , Matt Verri

32 mins: Johnston committed himself there, flying in on Barisic but luckily for him got the ball.

Celtic have certainly lost a bit of control, Rangers seeing plenty more of the ball. That doesn’t help them though, Barisic clipping a cross straight out of play.

13:02 , Matt Verri

30 mins: That Hart mistake has got Rangers going, they’re having their best spell all of a sudden. Bit of a shoving match between McGregor and Barisic over absolutely nothing.

Tavernier swings a corner in, headed out to Kent. Back into the box but Starfelt is there to clear.

13:00 , Matt Verri

28 mins: MASSIVE SAVE!

Hart takes an absolute age on the ball, Morelos eventually over to charge down the clearance. Madness from the goalkeeper.

It’s then played to Kent, completely free in the box and Hart does superbly to tip his effort onto the post. We’ll call it quits after that earlier effort.

12:58 , Matt Verri

26 mins: The visitors continue to dominate possession. This time they work it out to the right, but Forrest’s cross is cut out.

Rangers look to break, Kyogo swiftly across to foul Lundstram and halt the counter. Knew exactly what he was doing.

12:55 , Matt Verri

23 mins: Celtic get in again down the left, Rangers have to wake up on that side. Maeda causing them all sorts of problems.

Too good for Tavernier again, cuts it back into the box but O’Riley can’t get the effort on target. Celtic just need to keep getting it to Maeda out wide.

12:53 , Matt Verri

20 mins: Taylor has gone down again off the ball, Morelos is over to him and giving it both barrels for no particularly reason. Not like him to lose his head.

Forward continues to complain to the referee as Taylor trudges off slowly. Juranovic on to replace him at full-back.

12:49 , Matt Verri

17 mins: Morelos wide to Barisic, he has plenty of space to drive into.

Goes for an early cross to the back post, too much on it and Sakala can’t get there at the back post. The Rangers man catches Taylor with an elbow as he jumps, that will be a free-kick.

12:47 , Matt Verri

15 mins: McGregor with the strike from distance, his namesake in goal for Rangers tips it behind for a corner which comes to nothing.

Barisic then gives it away under no pressure, Celtic back in possession. Maeda thinks he’s been fouled by Tavernier as he knocks it past the right-back, whistle doesn’t come though.

12:45 , Matt Verri

13 mins: Kyogo presses Goldson, forces him to go all the way back to McGregor. Maeda then flies forward to close Goldson down, the defender plays it straight out of play. So impressive from Celtic early on.

Rangers fans urging their side to press high up the pitch, it’s not really happening though.

12:42 , Matt Verri

10 mins: O’Riley should play Maeda in again down the left wing, overhits the pass though. Rangers struggling to get anything going.

Forrest now on the opposite flank, finds Johnston who whips it in. Lundstram heads it away to safety.

12:41 , Matt Verri

8 mins: That’s a stunning cross. Maeda skips past his man out on the left, and puts a brilliant ball into the six-yard box.

Defenders leave it, McGregor can’t get there… Forrest isn’t following in at the back post. Home fans starting to get edgy already.

12:39 , Matt Verri

7 mins: Tillman runs at the Celtic defence, goes down on the edge of the box but the referee waves away the appeals.

Celtic look dangerous on the counter, there is plenty of space out there for their forwards.

GOAL! Rangers 0-1 Celtic | Daizen Maeda 5′

12:37 , Matt Verri

RUTHLESS!

A loose pass from Morelos and Maeda is there to pounce. Too strong for Tavernier, skips past Goldson and he then keeps his nerve when clean through. What a start for Celtic!

12:34 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Kent has a shot from distance in the opening seconds, comfortable save for Hart. At the other end O’Riley catches Lundstram late, that didn’t look particularly accidental.

The hosts win another free-kick, this one clipped into the Celtic box. Starfelt heads it away.

KICK-OFF!

12:32 , Matt Verri

We’re up and running and it’s an incredible atmosphere as you’d expect!

12:30 , Matt Verri

Rangers kept Celtic waiting, eventually the teams are out onto the pitch as Tina Turner blasts out. The 700 Celtic fans in the stadium have a fair old job on their hands to be heard.

There will be a minute’s silence held ahead of kick-off in memory of those who died 52 years ago today in the Ibrox Disaster.

Here we go!

12:26 , Matt Verri

Players are in the tunnel, about to be met with a wall of noise.

As ever this match has got the big build-up… time to find out if it lives up to expectations!

McGregor on Postecoglou’s impact

12:21 , Matt Verri

“He doesn’t take any nonsense,” the Celtic captain said.

“He’s very, very clear in terms of what he wants. He’s a little bit different in terms of he keeps himself to himself.

“There’s been a lot of change at the club in the last 18 months. He’s a really strong figure and it could quite easily have went the other way if they didn’t get the appointment right.”

Postecoglou on team selection

12:16 , Matt Verri

Postecoglou, not sounding too great himself, reveals there’s been a bug going through the Celtic camp this week which has had an impact on team selection.

He says debutant Johnston has impressed since he joined the club, while Forrest’s recent displays have earned him a start.

“With James, he’s been playing really well recently,” the Celtic boss tells Sky Sports.

“When players are in form you put them in there, we know what he can do.”

Not long now!

12:10 , Matt Verri

Kick-off coming up in less than 20 minutes!

At the moment it’s a two-horse race for the title – victory for Celtic this afternoon and the race would be pretty much over.

A win for Rangers though and the gap is down to six points. Even that will be tough to make up, but it would certainly give them a chance.

What a day to make your debut…

12:04 , Matt Verri

Huge afternoon for Johnston!

The 24-year-old has signed from CF Montreal, putting pen to paper on a five-year deal, and he makes his debut here in the biggest match of them all.

Johnston impressed at the World Cup, playing in all three of Canada’s matches in Qatar.

Beale: Rangers fear nobody

11:58 , Matt Verri

“At this moment in time, Celtic have had a better rhythm than us but we have to do whatever it takes to get the result.

“I’m hugely confident, it is Rangers at Ibrox. We will meet them at the halfway line and go forward for the three points. We won’t make a step backwards for Celtic or anyone who comes to Ibrox.

“This game means a lot, I feel the responsibility every day. We need the feedback from this game to improve and move forward, as second is not good enough here.

“I have no fear about playing this game, only excitement and wanting to see where my team is right now. I want the talking to stop. I want to play the game.

“In the media everyone is saying Celtic couldn’t be any stronger – then what an opportunity it is for us to see where we are then.”

Last time they met…

11:52 , Matt Verri

Celtic are unbeaten in the last five matches between the two sides.

They last met in September, when the hosts were in a ruthless mood as they blew Rangers away. Any sort of repeat of that this afternoon and the title race is done.

Postecoglou sends VAR warning

11:45 , Matt Verri

Ange Postecoglou wants two things from this afternoon’s match – a win for Celtic and VAR to stay out of the way.

“I am sure the authorities and officials are well aware of the magnitude of the game and the eyes that will be on the game,” the Celtic boss said.

“The last thing we all want is to be standing around and watching an individual with his hand to his ear for too long. That’s not what people around the world want to watch.

“If mistakes are made in terms of decisions, I think we can deal with that, but ultimately what we want to see is a good game of football.”

(PA)

Wreaths laid at Ibrox

11:39 , Matt Verri

A minute’s silence will be observed ahead of kick-off on the 52nd anniversary of the Ibrox disaster, when 66 fans died in a crush at an Old Firm match.

Celtic have also confirmed they will be wearing black armbands this afternoon.

A statement read: “In a week where a number of important figures have sadly passed away, we will also remember Celtic great, Frank McGarvey, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and footballing legend Pele, as the Celtic first team will wear black armbands as a mark of respect and tribute.

“Further tributes will be paid at our next home match at Celtic Park on January 7.”

Morelos fit for hosts

11:33 , Matt Verri

Morelos leads the line for Rangers, overcoming his slight injury concerns in the build-up to the match.

Kamara comes into midfield to partner Lundstram, with Sakala for Lowry the other change from the side that beat Motherwell last time out.

Postecoglou makes big calls

11:27 , Matt Verri

Interesting team named by Postecoglou. He gives Johnston a Celtic debut at right-back, while Forrest comes into the side in front of him.

It’s an incredibly strong bench for the visitors, with Jota, Abada and Mooy among those waiting in reverse if required. Kobayashi also on the bench, though will likely have to wait for his debut.

Rangers team news

11:22 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Lundstram, Kamara, Sakala, Tillman, Kent, Morelos.

Subs: McLaughlin, Jack, Colak, Sands, Wright, Roofe, Arfield, King, Devine

Celtic team news

11:16 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Hart, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor, McGregor, Hatate, O’Riley, Forrest, Kyogo, Maeda.

Subs: Bain, Giakoumakis, Abada, Mooy, Jota, Kobayashi, Bernabei, Abildgaard, Juranovic

Beale: It’s the derby of all derbies

11:11 , Matt Verri

It’s Michael Beale’s first Old Firm clash since he took over at Rangers, though he’s had experience of the fixture as Steven Gerrard’s assistant.

The 42-year-old is certainly relishing the opportunity to be involved in the match again.

“I am really looking forward to it,” Beale told Sky Sports.

“It is the derby of all derbies I think. It is watched worldwide. It is a privilege to be involved in it. It is obviously the date I have been looking forward to the most since coming back into the club.”

(PA)

Word from the captains…

11:04 , Matt Verri

Celtic in flying form

10:57 , Matt Verri

It’s 12 Premiership wins on the bounce for Celtic going into this afternoon’s clash, scoring 36 goals during that run. They have lost just one of their last 51 matches in the league.

They sit nine points clear at the top of the table – victory at Ibrox would surely effectively seal a second successive title.

They’ll be fully focused on getting the win, but a draw would not be a bad result at all for them.

(Getty Images)

Stage is set!

10:48 , Matt Verri

Prediction

10:41 , Matt Verri

Rangers have received a vital lift from the familiar Beale’s appointment, reeling off four straight victories including five-goal thrillers against Hibs and Aberdeen.

More recently they have kept back-to-back clean sheets against both Ross County and Motherwell, with confidence suddenly high as they plot a first victory over Celtic since August 2021.

However, how you go about stopping this Celtic team in their current rich vein of form is anyone’s guess. Postecoglou’s team are an absolute juggernaut at present whose only domestic blip so far this season came against St Mirren all the way back in September.

They will relish a feisty Ibrox battle and back themselves to continue that extraordinary winning run.

Celtic to win, 2-1.

Celtic team news

10:33 , Matt Verri

Celtic are likely to have new signings Ally Johnston and Yuki Kobayashi available for debuts against Rangers, though fellow arrival Tomoki Iwata is unlikely to play.

David Turnbull is suspended, while Sead Haksabanovic is out. However, Greg Taylor is fit and Anthony Ralston could also make the matchday squad.

(Getty Images)

Rangers team news

10:26 , Matt Verri

Fiery striker Alfredo Morelos is expected to be fit for Rangers after being forced off following a starring role in Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Motherwell.

However, Beale will be without vastly experienced midfielder Steven Davis for the rest of the season due to injury, with John Souttar and Filip Helander also sidelined along with the likes of Ianis Hagi, Tom Lawrence and Ridvan Yilmaz.

Antonio Colak is back and Kemar Roofe could feature, though.

(Getty Images)

How to watch Rangers vs Celtic

10:20 , Matt Verri

TV channel: In the UK, Rangers vs Celtic will be televised live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage beginning at 11:30am.

Live stream: Fans can also catch the game live online via the Sky Go app.

Live blog: You can follow all the action right here with us!

Good morning!

10:13 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Rangers vs Celtic!

It’s the first Old Firm derby of 2023, and one that Rangers have to win. If Celtic come away from Ibrox with all three points this afternoon, they’ll go 12 points clear of their rivals.

We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 12:30pm GMT.