Rangers and Celtic will face off in the first Old Firm derby of the 2021/22 season on Sunday.

Both sides have already shown signs of weakness this campaign – they were dumped out of the Champions League in the qualifying rounds and have each lost one game in the Scottish Premiership.

Steven Gerrard’s side have been rocked by a number of positive coronavirus cases in their camp this week, and the Rangers boss is expected to miss the derby due to isolation rules.

Ange Postecoglou’s first taste of Old Firm action will come at a packed Ibrox, and after a rocky start to life in Glasgow, he is looking to maintain some momentum going into the international break.

Here’s 90min’s preview of the game.

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When is Rangers vs Celtic? Sunday 29 August
What time is kick-off? 12:00 (BST)
Where is it being played? Ibrox Stadium
TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football (UK & ROI), CBS Sports Network (US)
Referee: Kevin Clancy

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The Gers have not officially disclosed which members of their squad have tested positive for Covid-19 or are isolating. However, Allan McGregor, Jon McLaughlin, James Tavernier, Scott Wright, Calvin Bassey and Ryan Kent all missed their Europa League play-off game with Alashkert in midweek, while Gary McAllister could take charge again if Gerrard remains absent.

Ryan Jack and Fashion Sakala are facing a race against time to be fit for Sunday’s game, while John Lundstram and Kemar Roofe could feature after returning from suspension.

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Postecoglou is sweating on the fitness of Greg Taylor and Kyogo Furuhashi after they picked up knocks against AZ on Thursday.

James McCarthy and James Forrest are expected to return for the short trip to Ibrox, but Christopher Jullien (knee), Mikey Johnston (hamstring) and Karamoko Dembele (ankle) all miss out. Josip Juranovic could make his debut after his move from Legia Warsaw.

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Rangers: McCrorie; Patterson, Goldson, Balogun, Barisic; Arfield, Kamara, Davis, Hagi, Aribo; Morelos

Celtic: Hart; Ralston, Starfelt, Welsh, Taylor; McGregor, Rogic, Turnbull; Furuhashi, Edouard, Christie

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As you’ve probably gathered, Rangers and Celtic have faced off a fair few times over the years – 425 times, to be exact.

The Gers just have the edge with 166 wins to Celtic’s 159, while there have been 100 draws between the two.

Last season, Gerrard’s men won all three encounters in the Scottish Premiership, while also triumphing in the Scottish Cup.

Celtic have not beaten their bitter rivals since the Scottish League Cup final in December 2019.

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Rangers‚ Covid-19 troubles will obviously hamper them, and being forced to play in a conservative manner could be exactly what Postecoglou wants.

Celtic have scored 12 goals in their last two league games and have looked similarly ruthless in the Europa League.

Nevertheless, with a full Ibrox crowd behind them, don’t expect Rangers to roll over so easily.

Prediction: Rangers 1-1 Celtic