Rangers and Celtic Clash in Final Derby of Season

GLASGOW, Scotland — The historic Scottish Premiership rivalry between Rangers and Celtic will continue this Sunday, May 4, at Ibrox Stadium, with kick-off set for 12:00 BST. As the season draws to a close, both teams have different stakes in this fierce match.

Rangers’ interim manager Barry Ferguson, a former captain, faces his final game against Celtic amid significant changes expected at Ibrox. Ferguson, who has struggled to find consistency since stepping into the managerial role, hopes to maintain a perfect record against their rivals after winning the last two meetings. However, Celtic claimed the title early, marking their 13th in 14 seasons, which adds pressure on Ferguson to secure a victory that may define his tenure.

Walter Smith, the legendary Rangers manager, previously expressed relief in stepping away from the high-pressure Old Firm environment back in 2011, a sentiment Ferguson might echo given the challenges he faces. Following Ferguson’s recent string of lackluster results, Rangers have not won in their previous six home matches, a worrying trend for the club.

Celtic’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, not only seeks revenge after two losses to Rangers earlier in the season but also aims to preserve his impressive Old Firm record. With Celtic’s dominant performance in recent years, he is only five goals away from breaking his own record of 106 goals scored in a single season during his inaugural term in 2016-17.

The atmosphere in the city will be electric, despite the “dead rubber” nature of the match as both teams grapple with vastly different ambitions. For Rangers, securing a victory in front of their supporters is imperative to restore confidence amid disappointment earlier in the season.

As the stakes ramp up, this final meeting of the season stands as a pivotal moment for both teams. The history and passion of this rivalry assure that even in a match with title implications settled, each side will battle fiercely for pride on the pitch.