Main image of Rangers boss Derek McInnes looking on and Bojan Miovski's face in a circular inset on the left

Derek McInnes and Bojan MiovskiImago

Rangers predicted XI vs Celtic: New signing brutally axed as Bojan Miovski not rewarded for heroics

Assistant Editor AUTHORITY enior editor responsible for daily news flow, sub-hub management, and maintaining editorial standards across the site network. FOCUS Editorial oversight, newsroom workflow, and verified reporting. THE BRIEF Former Leeds United correspondent Mark has risen through the ranks at Breaking Media Limited to manage the network’s daily output. He works between the reporters and the experts to ensure the data and the news are applied correctly to every story.

Published on:

11 Sep 2026, 7:10 am

Rangers are now preparing for the biggest week of their entire season at Ibrox.

Derek McInnes has finally found his best formula, and is reaping the rewards of that in the Scottish Premiership.

But, it's back to Premier Sports Cup action for now.

Rangers have won four on the bounce, with that dramatic 1-0 win at St Mirren setting the week ahead up perfectly.

Celtic are next in town, in the first of two Old Firm derbies before the extended international break.

Ibrox News looks ahead to the quarter-final tie, predicting the starting XI for a hostile afternoon in Govan.

Rangers brick wall needed at Ibrox

Ivor Pandur definitely warmed himself to the fans on Wednesday, pulling off a brilliant save with the scores level at the time.

The Croatian should start in goal again, with the same back four also probable ahead of his first Old Firm.

Dujon Sterling, Olwethu Makhanya, Emmanuel Fernandez and James Penrice will likely keep their spots.

It means that Ben Godfrey should remain on the bench, for now.

Ahead of them is simple too, with Nicolas Raskin the ever-present star after his move away never materialised.

McInnes has been impressed with Dan Neil in the past seven days, and he should start and captain Rangers in this one.

BBC Scotland embarrass themselves after dramatic Rangers win vs St Mirren

Changes are coming for Rangers vs Celtic

It's taken some time, but the majority of this squad is working itself out.

Djeidi Gassama is doing everything but finding that end product right now, and once he does, he'll be the best in Scotland.

He should start again, and Badredine Bouanani may too, after his impressive full debut against St Mirren.

This is where things get spicy.

Kevin Kelsy, the new £9.5million striker, should be dropped, and it's not Bojan Miovski who could replace him, despite his heroics and late winner on Wednesday.

Ryan Naderi is preferred, and should start again.

And to finalise the line-up for this huge first Old Firm, it's likely Kim Minsu, who like Gassama, has done everything but that final part since signing.

The flying Korean may start in the 10, dropping deeper, rather than playing two strikers, hopefully, nulifying some of the threat expected.

Rangers predicted XI vs Celtic: Pandur, Sterling, Makhanya, Fernandez, Penrice, Neil, Raskin, Minsu, Gassama, Bouanani, Naderi

Ivor Pandur