First Old Firm Derby of the new season: Rangers vs. Celtic with a goalless draw

Matchday four – and already red alert for the Glasgow Rangers. A defeat in the first Old Firm derby of the new season against Celtic FC would have left the “Gers” a hopeless nine points behind their arch-rivals. No wonder this explosive clash at Ibrox on 31 August 2025 was our Match of the Week…

You could tell both Old Firm rivals were suffering from a European hangover – for the first time since 2021, both major Glasgow clubs will only be spectators in the Champions League.

Celtic were knocked out in a penalty shootout after a disappointing performance at Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan. Rangers were humiliated by Club Brugge over two legs in the playoffs: 1-9 on aggregate.

Which football celebrities can you spot at the Old Firm Derby? 

There was plenty of football royalty at Ibrox Stadium: Legendary Scottish manager Sir Alexander Chapman, once a Rangers player himself, was in the stands, as was Celtic goalkeeper legend Pat Bonner. The former Irish national keeper was commentating for BBC Radio Scotland. After just over 15 minutes, Bonner remarked that he saw “aggressive Rangers, while Celtic are trying to gain control of the match.”
Celebrity fans and former players are frequently spotted at both Old Firm clubs – from Celtic superfan Sir Rod Stewart to “Wallander” actor Kenneth Branagh, who supports Rangers. 

The first 20 minutes saw no shots on goal – the duel of the disappointed turned into a game of inhibition. 
In the full 90 minutes, only two shots were directed at Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland. 

Rangers had reason to be frustrated: what seemed to be the opening goal – a powerful header by John Souttar (33rd minute) following a free-kick cross from James Tavernier – was ruled out by VAR for an offside decision by mere centimetres.
The Ibrox crowd’s roar of relief turned into silence. The match went into halftime goalless. 

The question was: Who would be the first to break the deadlock? 

One thing was clear: Rangers and under-pressure coach Russell Martin – who was greeted by fans after the Champions League exit in Belgium with a harsh banner reading “Get him out, before the seats are empty” – badly needed a win.

Martin brought on Cyril Dessers and Oliver Antman in the 70th minute, but the substitutions could not turn the tide.

It ended 0-0 in an Old Firm derby that lived only from the tension and the anticipation of the first and decisive mistake. 

“Celtic weren’t brilliant, but they had better balance in this game,” said former Rangers striker Billy Dodds on BBC Radio Scotland. 

31 August 2025: The teams of Glasgow Rangers and Celtic FC entering the pitch for the first Old Firm Derby of the 2025/26 season. The game couldn’t quite match the electric atmosphere at Ibrox Stadium. Photo: Imago Images / Shutterstock

Where do Rangers and Celtic stand in the Premiership table?

A goalless Old Firm Derby – the last time that happened was back in April 2011. In the end, the final applause from the fans was mixed with clearly audible boos. Only “The Hoops” from Celtic Glasgow could live with this result, as they held their six-point lead over the Rangers, who are in sixth place, and remained unbeaten with a clean sheet for the fifth match in a row in the Scottish Premiership. 
Rangers FC are still without a win in the Premiership. 

When is the next Old Firm?

The second Old Firm clash will take place in the new calendar year, on 3 January 2026, when Celtic will have home advantage during lunchtime (1:30 PM German time).