Key Highlights
- Celtic face Motherwell in a critical game that could see them move level with leaders Hearts.
- Rangers host St Mirren and must win to remain in the title race.
- The Scottish Premiership is set for five crucial matches on Tuesday, 30 December 2025.
- Key statistics and historical data are provided for each fixture, highlighting past performances and trends.
Celtic vs Motherwell: The Battle of the Champions
The Scottish Premiership enters its final stretch with Celtic facing a daunting challenge against Motherwell at Fir Park. With the leaders Hearts just one point ahead in the table, Celtic need to secure victory to stay on par and potentially overtake their rivals.
Historical Head-to-Head
Motherwell’s record against Celtic is nothing short of grim. The Steelmen have not won a league match against their top-flight opponents for 10 years, with only two draws and three losses in the last 35 meetings. This statistic alone suggests Motherwell will face an uphill battle to upset the defending champions.
Celtic’s away form against Motherwell is equally impressive.
In their last 11 visits, they have not only won every game but also netted a staggering 2+ goals in each fixture. The pressure on Motherwell is immense as they seek to break this long-standing record.
Key Player Performances
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda stands out with an impressive goal-scoring run. He has been directly involved in 30 goals in his 33 Scottish Premiership appearances, including 18 goals and 12 assists. This level of involvement is rare, having only been surpassed by Anthony Stokes (31 goals) in 2014 and Leigh Griffiths (32 goals) in 2015.
On the other side, Motherwell must rely on their resilience to keep the game competitive. Their last victory over Celtic was back in 2015, making this a significant test for both teams’ mettle.
Rangers vs St Mirren: A Title Race Implication
Meanwhile, Rangers face St Mirren at Ibrox. The Gers need a win to stay in the title race and potentially move up the table. However, they have not won four consecutive league games against their opponents since 1904, making this match crucial.
Past Performances
The last meeting between these teams ended in a draw for Rangers back in August. Historically, St Mirren’s success against Rangers is limited; they have not won two successive league games at Ibrox since 2010 and have only achieved this feat once in the last five calendar years.
Rangers’ last final league game of the year was a defeat to Celtic in 2023. While this record suggests caution, their ability to finish strong over the past eight years gives them some hope.
Team News and Lineups
Celtic make three changes from their recent win against Livingston, with Kasper Schmeichel returning as goalkeeper. Liam Scales and Paulo Bernardo start alongside Maeda in attack. For Motherwell, Stephen O’Donnell, Oscar Priestman, and Callum Slattery start.
Rangers also bring in John Souttar for his first start since November, replacing Mikey Moore who drops out of the lineup. St Mirren’s team news is not provided, leaving their exact formation a mystery until kickoff.
Other Match-Ups and Implications
The other fixtures on Tuesday include Dundee vs Kilmarnock, Livingston vs Dundee Utd, Hibs vs Aberdeen, and St Mirren vs Rangers. These games will determine the final standings of teams fighting for survival at the bottom of the table.
As the season draws to a close, every point becomes crucial. Celtic’s goal is to move level with Hearts while Rangers aim to hold on to their title ambitions. The Scottish Premiership promises an exciting conclusion as these big-name clubs battle it out in what could be the most important games of the year.
