The Hoops boss is preparing to take charge of his first derby and there’s huge pressure to deliver a result
06:00, 03 Jan 2026Updated 08:08, 03 Jan 2026
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Wilfried Nancy says it ISN’T the biggest game of his career.
But the reality is, his Celtic future could hinge on the result.
Hoops fans have already lost faith after five defeats in seven games under the Frenchman.
Nancy’s bold call to rip up Martin O’Neill’s winning formula and shoehorn his own system has sparked plenty of debate.
But the ex-Columbus Crew boss isn’t willing to budge on his philosophies – so fans and players better get used to it.
Nancy is convinced his 3-4-3 system WILL work as he launched a robust defence of his tactics in a fiery press conference.
There must be a degree of sympathy for Nancy too, given he’s currently without EIGHT first-team players for various reasons.
Kelechi Iheanacho, Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand and Marcelo Saracchi are all sidelined with hamstring issues, along with Jota (knee) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles).
Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha remain on Africa Cup of Nations duty, so Nancy doesn’t have his problems to seek.
Rangers also have some injury issues with Derek Cornelius, Nedim Bajrami and Oliver Antman all out, plus Nasser Djiga competing at AFCON. But Danny Rohl has been boosted by the return of Bojan Miovski after the marksman’s illness.
Gers will head to Parkhead confident they can end the afternoon level on points with their crisis-hit Glasgow rivals.
But under-pressure boss Nancy will be gunning for a victory to shut up his critics and buy him more time to save his job.
New Bhoy Julian Araujo goes straight into his squad after joining on loan from Bournemouth while misfiring Johnny Kenny – who downed Gers at Hampden – could be restored to the line-up after sitting out Tuesday’s pummelling at Motherwell.
Predicted Celtic XI
Predicted Celtic XI vs RangersProvisional Celtic squad
Goalkeepers
Kasper Schmeichel
Viljami Sinisalo
Ross Doohan
Defenders
Kieran Tierney
Anthony Ralston
Julian Araujo
Liam Scales
Auston Trusty
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey
Dane Murray
Colby Donovan
Midfielders
Callum McGregor
Arne Engels
Luke McCowan
Paulo Bernardo
Reo Hatate
Benjamin Nygren
Yang
Attackers
Daizen Maeda
Johnny Kenny
Shin Yamada
James Forrest