Kris Boyd has made a bold prediction ahead of Rangers’ upcoming clash with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership this Sunday.
The Old Firm derby will take place at Parkhead on 16 March, with Rangers trailing their rivals by 16 points in the league standings.
Fresh off a thrilling victory over Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday (13 March), Rangers secured their place in the quarter-finals after triumphing in a tense penalty shootout at Ibrox.
With the focus now shifting to the Old Firm match, Boyd believes that the midweek European success could have an impact on their performance against Celtic.
Rangers to Gain a Boost Ahead of Celtic Fixture
Boyd is confident that Rangers will be buoyed by their Europa League triumph as they head into the derby.
The former Scotland international insists that the Light Blues will need to show resilience early on at Parkhead.
Despite recent struggles at home, Boyd praised the team for remaining composed during the penalty shootout.
In his column for The Scottish Sun (14 March), Boyd wrote: “Rangers will need a lot of character to navigate the early stages and find their rhythm [against Celtic].
However, they should draw a huge boost from the spirit and determination they displayed to overcome Fenerbahce.”
He added, “Mourinho’s side were deserving of a win in 90 minutes, and it’s not ideal to be facing a fourth consecutive home defeat.
But credit must go to Rangers for staying calm during that pressure-filled penalty shootout.”
Ferguson’s Confidence Ahead of Celtic Match
Barry Ferguson may be missing a few players for the match at Parkhead, but the interim manager will be optimistic about his team’s chances against Celtic.
Since taking over from Philippe Clement, Ferguson has implemented fresh ideas, including a change in formation.
Recently, he has opted for a five-man defense, with James Tavernier, John Souttar, and Leon Balogun forming the backline against Fenerbahce.
If all of his key players are fit, it’s likely Ferguson will stick with this lineup for the derby against Celtic.
While it may be surprising to see Ferguson given the permanent managerial role at Ibrox, a strong win over Celtic would certainly make a strong case for him.
Clement struggled to achieve success in Old Firm derbies, but with Ferguson at the helm, alongside trusted figures like Billy Dodds, Allan McGregor, and Neil McCann, Rangers will be eager to end that run.
Rangers will undoubtedly carry positive momentum from their victory over Fenerbahce, and they’ll need to bring that confidence into the derby at Parkhead.
