What channel is Celtic v Rangers? TV and live stream plus team news, referee and VAR

But rather than featuring a top-of-the-table clash between the teams in first and second place in the Scottish Premiership, as is often the norm at the start of January, both sides are playing catch-up to leaders Hearts after a tumultuous first half of the season.

Rangers are still recovering from their worst start to a league campaign in 47 years, which resulted in Russell Martin being sacked in October and replaced by Danny Rohl, who has steadied the ship with eight victories from his 11 league matches in charge.

Celtic also had their early season troubles, with Brendan Rodgers’ resignation coming after back-to-back league defeats at Dundee and Hearts, and while Martin O’Neill’s interim tenure delivered sevens wins out of eight, the campaign has unravelled spectacularly since the appointment of Wilfried Nancy, who has made the worst start of any Celtic manager in history with five defeats in seven matches.

The 2-0 defeat at Motherwell on Tuesday has left the Frenchman under huge pressure ahead of his Old Firm bow, with Rangers now able to draw level with Celtic on 38 points with a victory at Parkhead - the gap had been nine points prior to Nancy’s arrival.

It will be the first meeting between Rohl and Nancy but the third time the teams have squared off this season. The opening Premiership derby ended in a goalless draw at Ibrox in August while Celtic won the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden in November 3-1 after extra-time.

Another hugely intriguing Glasgow derby lies in store.

Celtic v Rangers match details

The Scottish Premiership fixture between Celtic and Rangers takes place on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Kick-off is 12.30pm.

Celtic v Rangers TV channel

The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Football with coverage starting at 11.30am. Highlights will be shown on Sportscene on the BBC Scotland channel at 7.15pm with the programme repeated on BBC One Scotland at 11.30pm.

Celtic v Rangers live stream

Sky Sports subscribers can watch the match via the Sky Go app. Alternatively, a day membership to Sky Sports is available from NowTV for £14.99.

Celtic v Rangers team news

Mexico right-back Julian Araujo goes straight into the Celtic squad after joining on loan from Bournemouth. Wilfried Nancy remains without Kelechi Iheanacho, Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand and Marcelo Saracchi (all hamstring) along with Jota (knee) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles). Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha remain on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Bojan Miovski returns to the Rangers squad after illness. Nasser Djiga is at the Africa Cup of Nations. Derek Cornelius, Nedim Bajrami and Oliver Antman remain out with muscle injuries.

Celtic v Rangers referee and VAR

Steven McLean is the man in charge alongside assistant referees David McGeachie and Jonathan Bell. Kevin Clancy will be on VAR duty assisted by Grant Irvine.

Celtic 1/1, Draw 3/1, Rangers 11/4 - via oddschecker.com.