Rangers vs Celtic: Scottish League Cup Showdown at Ibrox
Rangers and Celtic collide at Ibrox on Sunday in the first Old Firm of the season, with a place in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals at stake and an early marker to lay down in the campaign.
Last year’s story belonged to Celtic. They emerged from a three-way title scrap to land a Premiership and Scottish Cup double, tightening their grip on Scottish football and leaving their rivals to pick through the wreckage.
Rangers, though, pressed the reset button in the summer. Derek McInnes arrived from Hearts to take on one of the most unforgiving jobs in the game. His reign almost unravelled before it began after a bruising early exit from Europe, and the pressure around Ibrox rose quickly.
Four straight Premiership wins have calmed the noise. Now comes the real examination. Beat Celtic, reach a semi-final, and McInnes buys himself time and belief. Lose, and the questions start again.
On the other side of the city, Martin O’Neill has his own statement to make. Celtic were stunned in this competition last season, dumped out by St Mirren under Wilfried Nancy. For a club of Celtic’s size, surrendering the League Cup like that lingers. This trip to Ibrox is a chance to wrestle the trophy back onto their agenda.
The backdrop is as fierce as ever, but the stands will tell a different story. After the chaos that marred the last Old Firm at Ibrox – a Scottish Cup quarter-final that spilled over off the pitch – there will be no away fans inside the stadium. An Old Firm played to a one-sided crowd will sound different, feel different, but it won’t soften the stakes.
When is Rangers v Celtic?
The Scottish League Cup quarter-final kicks off at Ibrox at 12pm BST on Sunday 13 September.
How can I watch it?
The tie will be shown live on Premier Sports 1 and via the Premier Sports Player.
Team news
Rangers are walking into this one with a limp in attack. Captain Lawrence Shankland is out for months after tearing a hamstring, a major blow to McInnes’ plans and his dressing-room leadership. Youssef Chermiti is also sidelined with a hamstring problem, stripping Rangers of another recognised striker.
New signing Daisuke Yokota joins them on the treatment table with the same issue, while left back Tuur Rommens is edging closer to a return but will not be ready in time for Sunday. McInnes has to shuffle, improvise and hope his reshaped front line can still land a punch.
Celtic’s news is brighter. Record signing Kasper Hogh made his comeback in the 1-0 win at St Johnstone, a timely boost ahead of the derby. Kieran Tierney is nearing fitness and could yet be involved at Ibrox if he proves ready in time, a potential emotional lift as well as a tactical one.
O’Neill rotated heavily in midweek. He handed a debut to goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, preferred to Viljami Sinisalo, and rested key figures. Cameron Carter-Vickers, left out entirely on Wednesday, is expected to be available again, restoring authority to the heart of Celtic’s defence.
Predicted Rangers XI
Rangers XI: Pandur; Sterling, Fernandez, Makhanya, Penrice; Raskin, Devlin; Curtis, Kim, Gassama; Naderi
One game, one cup tie, but it already feels bigger than that. For McInnes, it’s a chance to change the mood music. For O’Neill, it’s about reasserting control. By Sunday afternoon, we’ll know which direction this season’s first Old Firm storm is blowing.
