Chris Sutton makes surprise Old Firm prediction as Wilfried Nancy’s Celtic ‘shambles’ slammed
Celtic legend Chris Sutton thinks that Rangers will beat his former club in the Old Firm on Saturday because of the way under-fire manager Wilfried Nancy sets up his side.
Both Celtic and Rangers have been well below par throughout this season so far, meaning it is a lot more than Old Firm bragging rights that rests on their Saturday clash at Parkhead.
Their third meeting of 2025-26 could define which club properly challenges Hearts for the title from now until the end of the campaign, as well as Nancy‘s future in charge of the Hoops.
Nancy is under serious pressure at Celtic, with just two wins from his seven games in charge so far and a 2-0 defeat to Motherwell last time out only furthering his woes.
Rangers have made clear improvements since Danny Rohl took charge in October, meanwhile, and thus have been tipped to come out on top by an unlikely source in Sutton.
Sutton predicts Rangers to beat Celtic as ultimatum issued to board
Sutton admitted earlier this week that the Rangers game “feels quite big” for Nancy after they were “outplayed” by Motherwell.
The former England striker, who played 199 times for the Hoops between 2000 and 2006, has now gone one further and predicted that the Gers will be victorious at Parkhead on Saturday.
He admitted that he can see such a result unfolding in his new Daily Record column, saying: “Celtic face Rangers on Saturday and, for the first time in recent years, I think Rangers will win. And they are not good, either.
“Nancy’s team is a shambles. They do look a threat, but every time a team attacks their box, they look like they’re going to score. In his system, he’s asking individuals to do things they can’t do.“
Sutton also called on the Hoops board to be decisive in the wake of a potential defeat, saying: “Either back him with quality players to fit Wilf’s way immediately or make the decision to get a more pragmatic, adaptable manager and sack him.
Put simply, this situation can’t be allowed to drift. Nancy is attempting to play fantasy football with a squad that can’t do it.“
Who could replace Nancy if he is sacked by Celtic?
Nancy has been walking a tightrope at Celtic for a number of weeks, despite only becoming their manager on 3 December.
Part of the reason for many fans’ frustrations is due to the stellar job that interim boss Martin O’Neill was doing following Brendan Rodgers’ resignation, with seven wins from his eight games back at the helm.
Celtic supporters want O’Neill back in charge, and he is currently the clear favourite with the bookies to be their next manager at odds of 5/4.
Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen is next up at 5/1, while two former favourites in Robbie Keane and Ange Postecoglou are also believed to be in the running at 11/2 and 7/1 odds respectively.