Celts Seek Derby Day Domination

Celts Seek Derby Day Domination
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


Adam Idah scored the dramatic late winner in the Scottish Cup Final when these sides last met


Celtic Park, Glasgow
Sunday, 1 September 2024
12.30 BST

The Hoops return home this weekend, where they will take on city rivals, Sevco, in the first League derby of the 2024/25 campaign.

Celtic are on an undefeated run that extends back since early March, which has seen the team go from strength to strength, securing the 2023/24 Premiership title and Scottish Cup double, and have carried that form into this season also.

The Bhoys come into this game looking to maintain this perfect winning start to 2024/25 and carry forward the form that most recently saw them secure a 3-0 win over St Mirren last week, while also recording a 3rd straight clean sheet in the league also.

The Hoops were undefeated in this fixture in 2023/24, winning 4 of the 5 encounters in total, including the last - the Scottish Cup Final in May, with Adam Idah providing the heroics on the day.

All of that is in the past however, and nothing can be taken for granted - especially in this fixture.


Nicholas Kuhn (3 goals & 3 assists) is averaging a goal contribution every 42min so far the season

There has been talk of the shakey start that the Govan club have made to the season, but this appears to be a little misleading, outwith of being eliminated by Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League qualifying.

Since being held to a draw against Hearts on the opening day, they have subsequently won each of their three domestic fixtures, and are come into this game on the back of a 6-0 win over Ross County.

Brendan Rodgers has an imposing derby record, and knows what it takes to get the crucial wins when they matter most between these sides. The manager has to ensure that the Hoops are prepared and ready for whatever Philippe Clement has up his sleeve, while making sure that the Hoops have the right tactics and firepower for what is among the most anticipated fixtures in all of world football.

With a capacity of 60,000 Celtic fans inside of Paradise to roar the Bhoys on, and with the chance to go 5 points clear at the top of the table even at this early stage, the Bhoys should have all the motivation needed, ahead of the International break.



Stats and Facts​

• The Hoops are undefeated at home in this fixture since October 2020.

• Celtic are undefeated against all competition since the start of March, and are currently on a run of 9 straight league wins - including the first 3 of this season.

• Brendan Rodgers will be looking to add to his very impressive personal record against Sevco, winning 14 of 18 encounters in total. (P18 W14 D3 L1)

May 2010: James Forrest scored on his Celtic debut and tomorrow could mark his 500th appearance

Team News

Celtic have made a number of signings in the past few days, with the arrival of midfielders Arne Engels and Luke McGowan as well as defenders Alex Varre and Auston Trusty joining the club, and fans will be keen for a sighting of these new Bhoys.

As for the starting XI, it is unlikely that Rodgers will make too many changes, and there are no fresh injury concerns aside from Maik Nawrocki's continued unavailability with a calf problem.

It should also be noted that James Forrest is on the cusp of joining an elite group and could be set for his 500th appearance for the Hoops since his debut in 2010, in a career that has made him one of the most decorated individuals in the club's history.

As for the visitors, they will likely once more be without Ridvan Yilmaz, Oscar Cortes and Nicholas Raskin, while they also have brought in a couple of deadline day arrivals, in the form of Nedim Bajrami and Neraysho Kasanwirjo.

Referee: John Beaton

Celtic have a patchy record in games where Beaton has been the referee, having dropped points in 5 of the past 10 league games. This trend is also in evidence in this fixture also, with Celtic's only victory being in April 2017, while the last three occasions have all resulted in draws.

Overall Record
M:55 W:41 D:11 L:3

VAR: Andrew Dallas



~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 41 W:24 D:7 L:10​

Last 5 Meetings
W W D W W

~~~~ 2022/23 Form ~~~~

All Comps
W W W W ~ W W L W D

SPFL
W W W ~ W W D​