Wounded Giants Meet: Rangers and Celtic Enter Old Firm Derby Under Pressure

Rangers and Celtic prepare for Sunday's Old Firm derby at Ibrox with both clubs reeling from recent European failures.

After disappointing exits in continental competition, neither side carries momentum into Scotland's biggest domestic fixture. Supporters of both teams are frustrated, and senior leadership at each club faces growing scrutiny.

Celtic's capitulation against Kazakh side Kairat Almaty represents their lowest point in Europe in two decades. Manager Brendan Rodgers has highlighted the club's sluggish transfer dealings, though questions persist over his and sporting director Paul Tisdale's recruitment decisions. New signings like Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Marcelo Saracchi arrived too late to influence the Champions League qualifiers, and further targets such as Kasper Dolberg and Sebastian Tounekti remain elusive.

Rangers, meanwhile, equalled their worst European performance in Bruges, exposing frailties across defense and midfield. Russell Martin's squad has struggled to create clear chances, and a fallout with midfielder Nico Raskin has added to the unrest. Raskin was omitted from the squad despite his selection by Belgium manager Rudi Garcia, raising questions about Martin's man-management.

Pressure on Martin mounts amid Raskin feud

While Celtic sit six points clear atop the Premiership, Rangers have mustered only three draws in four league games. Defensive lapses have left them vulnerable, and new striker Bojan Miovski must quickly justify his late arrival. Fans remain impatient and have grown hostile towards Martin, whose tenure depends on an immediate uplift in performances.

Club owners are expected at Ibrox on Sunday, and any defeat could intensify calls for change. Yet goalkeeper Jack Butland, the club's standout performer, has urged unity: "If you give up, nothing works. You stick together, you fight, you give yourself a chance."

Butland issues rallying cry ahead of showdown

Despite Celtic's recent dominance, Rangers hold a mini winning streak in Old Firm meetings, claiming two wins and two draws in the last four encounters. Butland believes this derby offers a chance to restore belief: "It's always a must-win. It's the perfect stage to show character and surprise the doubters."

Both Ibrox and Parkhead enter Sunday's derby under pressure, with managers and players seeking redemption after European setbacks in what promises to be a fiercely contested Old Firm showdown.

This topic was reported by BBC Sport.

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