We do not have to attend too lengthy into 2026 for the primary Previous Agency of the yr as Celtic and Rangers will meet on Saturday at Celtic Park at 7:30 a.m. ET, (catch all of the motion on CBS Sports activities Community). However it’s additionally an odd Previous Agency, not solely are each groups on their second supervisor of the yr, however for the primary time in latest reminiscence, somebody aside from Celtic are main the league getting into the brand new yr.
Easy methods to watch Celtic vs. Rangers, odds
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 3 | Time: 7:30 a.m. ET
- Location: Celtic Park — Glasgow, Scotland
- TV: CBS Sports activities Community
- Odds: Celtic -105; Draw +290; Rangers +290
It’s important to roll again the clock to 1985 for when a Sir Alex Ferguson led Aberdeen had been the final group not named Celtic or Rangers to win the league in Scotland, however because of set piece dominance, Hearts are main the league in the meanwhile, with Celtic three factors behind and chasing. The Bhoys have turned to Wilfried Nancy to proper the ship, hiring him on December 4 from the Columbus Crew, and it has been a tricky transition with him solely successful one among his 5 matches answerable for the membership.
Falling within the Scottish League Cup closing to St. Mirren, Celtic have already missed out on one likelihood at silverware and will see the league slip away after successful the title for 4 consecutive seasons. Oh, and your greatest rivals are across the nook. With all that collectively, it ought to come as no shock that strain is mounting on Nancy to show issues round, as time waits for nobody, particularly if you’re anticipated to win the title. Nancy requested for time in his pre-match press convention, however that does not exist with Rangers and Hearts each on the schedule in January.
“In context, I knew this type of state of affairs might occur. I want time. Give me time, and you will notice my group. You’ll see what I’m going to do as a result of you possibly can see already what I did earlier than,” Nancy stated throughout an nearly seven minute monologue.
“I did not begin [in coaching] yesterday. When you do your job you will notice the best way I wish to play, the best way I defend, the best way I wish to assault; it’s clear. It’s completely regular that you simply guys, you kill me. I’m fantastic with that. I’m completely fantastic with that as a result of I do know the place I wish to go. Decide me in a number of weeks, months.”
He is proper that in earlier stops with CF Montreal and the Columbus Crew in Main League Soccer that he has turned these groups into winners, and he hardly ever misplaced matches for prolonged intervals however Scotland presents a brand new problem for him. Not solely does Nancy now want to show round a group with no preseason and are available from behind to win the title whereas additionally participating within the Europa League, however he additionally wants to deal with the strain that comes with managing one of many greatest golf equipment on the planet.
It does not get a lot larger than the Previous Agency so far as rivalry matches between groups go. Going down since 1888, this collection has featured 488 conferences and has been balanced with every membership successful 171 occasions. Even throughout down seasons, a win within the Previous Agency will present bragging rights that go a protracted strategy to lifting morale however in that very same vein, a loss throughout a down interval is what can get a coach fired.
Celtic have not been sluggish to make adjustments when wanted, and whereas Nancy is a supervisor who enterd being held in excessive regard, a lopsided loss to Rangers at house might result in extra adjustments. Celtic have added to the squad, buying proper again Julian Araujo on mortgage from Bournemouth, however identical to Nancy, he hasn’t been with the membership lengthy and might want to make an influence out of the gate.
It is all at stake on Saturday, and if Nancy goes to have a protracted tenure answerable for the Scottish membership, the time is now to get his second win answerable for the membership.
