Celtic’s next three fixtures compared to Rangers ahead of tantalising Glasgow derby

67 Hail Hail take a look at Celtic’s next three league fixtures compared to Rangers as the Glasgow derby on April 7 edges ever closer.

This season’s Scottish Premiership title race is set to be one of the most enthralling in recent memory with just two points separating Rangers and Celtic at the top of the table.

After Wednesday’s round of league fixtures, just two points separate the Glasgow giants. Celtic put on an unexpected yet imperious display against Dundee as the champions recorded a brilliant 7-1 victory at Parkhead.

While the Light Blues struggled initially against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park but their second-half performance handed them a slender 2-1 victory and three points.

Both wins were precious for Celtic and Rangers and we are now at a stage where there are just three top-flight games left to be played before the next Glasgow derby at Ibrox.

So who are Celtic playing between now and the beginning of April and how does it match up with what Rangers have in store? Let’s explore the champions’ games first.

Celtic fixtures before derby

Hearts (A) – March 3

The Jambos have been in flying form since December and went 12 games unbeaten in all competitions, as per FotMob, until heavily losing to Rangers last Saturday.

Steven Naismith’s side then followed that up with a 1-1 home draw in the Edinburgh derby against Hibs and on another night, could have lost the game.

It’s clear Hearts have gone through a wobble or two but Brendan Rodgers and Celtic will understand heading to Tynecastle will be one of the toughest tests this season.

League position: 3rd

Current form: DLWWW

Previous meeting: Celtic 0-2 Hearts (December 16, 2023)

St Johnstone (H) – March 16

Craig Levein took over from the sacked Steven MacLean on November 5 and the proverbial managerial bounce gave St Johnstone a boost.

But they’ve only won two games in all competitions since the end of December and are just four points ahead of Ross County who occupy the relegation play-off position.

St Johnstone last beat Celtic at Parkhead in March 2015, as per Fitbastats, so this is a must win encounter.

League position: 10th

Current form: WLLLL

Previous meeting: St Johnstone 1-3 Celtic (December 3, 2023)

Livingston (A) – March 31

Livingston are really struggling at the moment and are overwhelming favourites to be automatically relegated from the Premiership this campaign.

As per FotMob, The Lions are the joint-lowest scorers in the league (19) and have also conceded the joint-most goals (48).

David Martindale’s side have made life difficult for Celtic in the past at the Tony Macaroni Arena but this is a fixture the Hoops simply must pick three points in and fairly comfortably at that.

League position: 12th

Current form: LLWWL

Previous meeting: Celtic 2-0 Livingston (December 23, 2023)

67 Hail Hail verdict

The average league position of Hearts, St Johnstone and Livingston is 8th and with that, nine points from nine and nothing less will be required for Celtic.

Of course, the trip to Edinburgh is the trickiest fixture before the derby but thankfully Celtic will play Hearts at a good time due to their slight dip in form. Now a look at Rangers and their fixtures before the Glasgow derby.

Rangers fixtures before derby

Motherwell (H) – March 2

Dundee (A) – March 17

Hibernian (H) – March 30

Current form: WWWWW

Average opposition league position: 7th

Rangers have a very slightly harder run of fixtures compared to Celtic. Philippe Clement’s side would be expected to take three points at home to Motherwell on Saturday before the Hoops face Hearts away the next day.

Pressure will be on Celtic to deliver at Tynecastle if Rangers secure three points. But if the Bhoys can pass the capital test, slightly more pressure will be on Gers to deliver against a decent Dundee side and an improving Hibs.

In addition, Rangers have their Europa League last 16 legs against Benfica slotted in between so you’d like to imagine Celtic will be the fresher of the two once April 7 rolls around.

Overall, Celtic definitely have the favourable run-in but Rangers’ seriously good form of late means the gap is very likely to remain at two points between the Glasgow arch-rivals before the Ibrox derby showdown.