Rangers eye second place as Celtic set pace

What the report says

Rangers and Celtic both return to Scottish Premiership action on Wednesday, with the Glasgow clubs looking to keep momentum ahead of Sunday’s first derby of the season in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals. Rangers host St Mirren at Ibrox, while Celtic travel to McDiarmid Park to face St Johnstone.

BBC Sport reports that Rangers have started to build consistency after early league setbacks and European disappointment, with three straight wins lifting confidence in Derek McInnes’ side. They are currently chasing second place and could move above St Mirren if results go their way. Rangers are also managing an injury concern for striker Lawrence Shankland, while new signing Kevin Kelsy may be asked to step in.

Celtic, meanwhile, have maintained a perfect domestic record despite a more uneven start in Europe and changes made late in the transfer window. Their trip to Perth comes after a narrow weekend win, and they may need to adjust their attack because Yang Hyun-jun is away on international duty. BBC Sport says Kasper Hogh and Kieran Tierney are also in contention after injury absences, while one of the newer arrivals could be used to fill the gap.

St Mirren and St Johnstone are both described as in-form and tactically well-organised opponents, which adds context to the midweek fixtures. For Rangers and Celtic, the matches serve both league aims and preparation for a significant derby match later in the week.