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Celtic enter the new year in superb form at the summit of the Scottish Premiership and are well on course for a 55th league title.
The signs for the rest of Scotland were ominous at the start of pre-season, which saw Brendan Rodgers’ side start an impressive summer that saw them compete admirably with some of the continent’s best.
Celtic head into Thursday’s Old Firm derby 14 points clear at the summit of the division and Rangers are more concerned with third place with Aberdeen as opposed to making a miraculous title tilt in the second half of the season.
Trips to Ibrox are never easy, but the Hoops have enjoyed their visits in recent years. A convincing win to start the new year could spell its end Rangers Boss Philip Clement in the home dugout.
Here’s how Celtic could line up for the first older generation of 2025.
GK: Kasper Schmeichel – Talk about a smart buy. Schmeichel has held number one duties since joining the club over Boseman in the summer and has conceded just four goals in the Scottish Premiership.
RB: Alastair Johnston – The reliable right-back has been out of action since the League Cup final, but is expected to return to action on Thursday.
CB: Cameron Carter-Vickers – The former Tottenham defender has emerged as an undisputed starter at Celtic Park and has developed into a player who has suddenly been linked with a move to German champions Bayer Leverkusen.
CB: Austen Trustee – This USMNT The international also joined the club in the summer and usurped Liam Scales on the depth chart.
LB: Greg Taylor – Taylor’s days as a Celtic starting left-back could be numbered with his contract expiring in the summer. Thursday’s clash could be one of his final Old Firm appearances.
Chief Minister: Paulo Bernardo – The 22-year-old has been in and out of Rodgers’ side this term, but the Portuguese international has shown plenty of promise in Celtic’s engine room. At £3.5m, it looks like an absolute steal.
Chief Minister: Callum McGregor – The veteran Scotsman led the Hoops to victory over Rangers in the League Cup final before Christmas and is set to make his 42nd senior generation appearance on Thursday.
CM: Rio Hate – The Japanese star has withdrawn this term after an injury-plagued 2023/24, and will be keen to impress at Ibrox after starring in this fixture earlier in his Celtic career.
RW: Nicholas Kuhn – Several signings since the German arrived from Rapid Wien a year ago. Kuhn has enjoyed an excellent 2024/25 so far, contributing a team-high 13 league goals while proving his worth. Champions LeagueAlso.
ST: Kyogo Furuhashi – The Celtic striker has an impressive record in this fixture, with only Henrik Larsson and Kenny Miller scoring more Old Firm goals than Kyoghue, who has scored eight this century.
LW: Daizen Maeda – The likeable Japanese forward may not be the most efficient operator in front of goal, but he has been a regular in this Celtic team for a long time and is once again close to a mainstay under Rodgers.
