Celtic and Rangers do battle for the third time this season, as the two sides clash in the Scottish Premiership at Parkhead on Saturday afternoon.
Both behind Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership, both Old Firm giants have found themselves embroiled in crisis during the first half of the 2025/26 campaign, with Celtic and Rangers both switching managers in the same season for the first time in history.
It was Celtic who emerged victorious last time the two sides met in the Premier Sports Cup back in November, as they ran out 3-1 winners at Hampden Park. However, after going unbeaten in their last four league games against their bitter rivals, Rangers have the slight upper hand when it comes to head-to-heads.
As is so often the case, when the two sides debate each other, the debate over which players are the best from each side is on the agenda.
Would John Souttar get into Celtic’s starting XI? Is Kasper Schmeichel a better goalkeeper than Jack Butland? Which Old Firm side has the best midfield? And what would a combined Celtic and Rangers XI look like if the two squads were fused?
Using popular football statistics website FotMob, we’ve put together the combined Celtic and Rangers starting XI, based each players’ 2025/26 average rating*
Do you agree with the picks?
*FotMob player ratings are calculated using an advanced algorithm that analyses hundreds of in-match statistics from data providers like Opta, assigning weighted values to positive (goals, assists, tackles, interceptions, chances created) and negative actions (fouls, errors, lost duels, penalties conceded), along with some other advanced metrics.
9. RW: Benjamin Nygren - Celtic
While some supporters have been left frustrated by his performances, his numbers are difficult to argue against. AN average rating of 7.42 means he comfortably makes this team, with eight goals, two assists, and four player of the match awards. He's one of Celtic's most creative players, with 28 chances created for his teammates, while he also takes more touches than most other players in the league in his position (878 to be exact). | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
10. LW: Djeidi Gassama - Rangers
One of the few Rangers' summer signings to have made a positive impact upon his arrival at the club, the young French winger has an average rating of 7.27, which gets him into this starting XI. While he has only contributed too two league goals this season, he creates an average of 1.1 chances per 90 minutes, and completes 56.1% of his dribbles. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
11. CF: Daizen Maeda - Celtic
The Celtic star has undoubted had a huge drop off in form from last season, but remains the highest rated Old Firm striker with an average rating of 7.35. He's contributed to 11 goals in 15 league games, and takes an average of 5.64 touches per 90 in the opposition's box. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group