Celtic are gearing up for the season's most pivotal match this afternoon, as their arch-rivals Rangers travel to Parkhead for a decisive title showdown.
Sitting comfortably with a three-point lead at the top of the table, Celtic aim to solidify their position and effectively clinch a remarkable third consecutive league title with a triumph over Rangers.
The intensity of derby day is always palpable, but the prospect of a championship win will amplify the significance of this encounter even further. Brendan Rodgers and his squad are poised to rise to the occasion, with everything looking set for a fiery encounter.
This will be the first derby of the season where Celtic have arguably been the favourites to come out on top. Brendan Rodgers' side were going through an injury crisis back in September when they triumphed at Ibrox. When they won 2-1 at Celtic Park in December, they did it after back-to-back league defeats. Then, last month, Rangers were in good form heading into the derby, with most onlookers tipping them to overcome Celtic in that encounter.
Despite the odds being stacked against him, Brendan Rodgers finds a way to avoid defeat in this fixture time and time again, and he will be hoping that the final league meeting between the two clubs will result in more of the same.
Given the high stakes of this afternoon's game, we decided to take a look at the three key factors heading into the derby at Celtic Park:
Who makes the difference on the wings?
There are question marks over how Celtic's wingers will perform tomorrow. Daizen Maeda looks to be starting his first game since returning from injury on the left, but is he fully up to speed?
The Japanese winger has made a remarkable recovery from the 'season-ending' injury, and will need to be back to his relentless best up against James Tavernier.
On the other side, James Forrest has been going through a career resurgence over the last few weeks, but tomorrow's game presents the biggest test for him yet.
Can Celtic's veteran rise to the occasion once again?
Confident Kyogo
Kyogo is so often the difference-maker on derby day, and he will be going into this game in high confidence after his brace against Hearts at the weekend.
He grabbed seven goals against Rangers last year after finally finding his feet in the derby, and since then he hasn't looked back.
Having failed to get on the scoresheet during the 3-3 draw at Ibrox earlier this year, Kyogo will be eager to net his first goal against Rangers of 2024 this afternoon.
Seeing the game out
Celtic have struggled with seeing games out this season, but this could be key this afternoon.
There have been many nervous finales since Brendan Rodgers returned to Celtic Park, with the nerves not helped by Celtic's tendency to ship late goals.
We lost two at Hampden against Aberdeen, then another two at Ibrox against Rangers. Celtic cannot afford another big result to slip away from them in the dying embers of the game, and that is something Brendan Rodgers will no doubt have reinforced in his players.
James McKenzie // @JamesWHMcKenzie