Ahead of Saturday’s Old Firm clash as Celtic take on Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, WhoScored takes a look at how an XI would form based on stats.
Just three points separate the pair with three matches remaining in a clash Rangers cannot afford to lose at Celtic Park.
Before the match – live on Sky Sports – WhoScored.com named their combined XI using a unique scoring system with opta data and over 200 stats going into formulating their rating, and it’s Celtic who are ahead of Rangers in this team.
Saturday May 11 at 11:30 a.m.
Kick-off at 12:30 p.m.
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Relive all the goals from this season’s Old Firm matches as Celtic and Rangers prepare to clash on Saturday.
Goalkeeper: Jack Butland (Rangers) – rating 6.73
Jack Butland joined Rangers last summer
Jack Butland gets the nod ahead of Joe Hart between the sticks in the Old Firm combined XI. Butland has been the more active of the two goalkeepers, making 70 saves to Hart’s 58, and the Rangers man has kept more clean sheets (18) than any other keeper in the division this season.
Right-back: James Tavernier (Rangers) – rating 7.89
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James Tavernier has scored 17 Premiership goals for Rangers this season
With a WhoScored.com rating of 7.89, James Tavernier is the highest rated player in the Scottish Premiership this season. Tavernier scored 17 goals and provided a further nine assists for the Gers, a fine haul for a right-back. With 117 key passes, this is by far the most in the Scottish top flight this season.
Central defender: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic) – rating of 7.11
Cameron Carter-Vickers has agreed a new long-term deal with Celtic this season
This is an all-Celtic centre-back partnership, with Cameron Carter-Vickers good value for his inclusion. The USA international ranks second in passes per game (82.2) and pass success rate (91.2%) in the Scottish Premiership.
Central defender: Liam Scales (Celtic) – rating 7.33
Liam Scales spent last season on loan at Aberdeen
Joining Carter-Vickers at the heart of defense is Liam Scales, who averages more passes per game (99.1) than any other player in the division this season. After enjoying a solid loan spell with Aberdeen last season, Scales has cemented his starting place with the Bhoys.
Left back: Greg Taylor (Celtic) – rating 7.09
Celtic defender Greg Taylor has made 30 Premiership appearances this season.
Rounding out the defense is Greg Taylor who earned a WhoScored.com rating of 7.09 this season. The 26-year-old has once again been a solid player for Brendan Rodgers’ side this season, with four goals and three assists increasing his rating.
Central midfielder: Matt O’Riley (Celtic) – rating 7.68
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Matt O’Riley has 13 goals and 11 assists for Celtic in the league
Celtic’s highest-rated player in the Scottish Premiership this season, Matt O’Riley is the only player to record double the number of goals (14) and assists (12) in 2023/24, with the latter ranking first in the division .
Central midfielder: John Lundstram (Rangers) – rating 7.07
Rangers’ John Lundstram is out of contract at the end of the season
John Lundstram had a solid season for the Rangers, as evidenced by a WhoScored.com rating of 7.07. The 30-year-old averages more passes per game (73.8) than any other central midfielder, third overall, and has a further five assists to his name.
Central midfielder: Callum McGregor (Celtic) – rating 7.06
Celtic captain Callum McGregor
Callum McGregor joins O’Riley and Lundstram in midfield in this combined XI after returning a WhoScored.com rating of 7.06. McGregor once again impressed in the middle of the park for the Bhoys, with a success rate of 91.5 per cent, the best in the Scottish Premiership.
Right Wing: Todd Cantwell (Rangers) – 6.95 rating
Todd Cantwell has five league goals for Rangers this season
Todd Cantwell didn’t exactly light up the Scottish Premiership in his first full campaign in Glasgow, but the former Norwich man still did enough to earn a WhoScored.com rating of 6.95. Indeed, Cantwell scored five goals and provided four assists for the Gers.
Forward: Cyriel Dessers (Rangers) – rating of 6.96
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Despite scoring 20 goals this season, Rangers’ Cyriel Dessers still seems to be the subject of criticism – but is it justified?
After a slow start to life at Rangers, Cyriel Dessers looked a much more effective striker once Philippe Clement took over at Ibrox. Dessers heads to the Old Firm on Saturday with 14 goals and three assists to his name, a solid return, including one against Celtic last month.
Left winger: Luis Palma (Celtic) – rating of 7.33
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Luis Palma has six Premiership goals for Celtic this season
A muscle injury may have ruined Luis Palma’s debut campaign for Celtic, but the Honduran has proven to be a solid pick by the Bhoys. Palma has scored six goals and provided nine assists for his teammates this season, while 45 successful dribbles ranks fifth in the Scottish Premiership.
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