Rangers vs Celtic: Old Firm Clash for Scottish League Cup Semi-Final
Rangers and Celtic collide in the first Old Firm of the season on Sunday, and there’s more than bragging rights at stake. A place in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals is on the line, the backdrop is Ibrox, and the pressure is already crackling around Derek McInnes.
Last season in Scotland was breathless. A three-way title race, twists deep into spring, and when the dust settled it was Celtic who walked away with both the Premiership and the Scottish Cup. The double underlined their dominance. It also sharpened the sense of urgency across the city.
Rangers responded with change. McInnes arrived from Hearts in the summer, tasked with resetting a squad that had fallen short. His start, though, jolted badly. A European exit piled scrutiny on him before his jacket was even on the peg at Auchenhowie.
The league form has steadied. Four Premiership wins in a row have calmed the noise and given the new manager a platform. This, though, is different. Beat Celtic in a cup quarter-final at Ibrox and the mood doesn’t just improve; it surges.
On the other side, Martin O'Neill’s Celtic travel across the city with their own point to prove. They were stunned in this competition last season, dumped out by St Mirren under Wilfried Nancy. For a club that measures itself in trophies, that still stings. O’Neill wants the League Cup back in the cabinet, and an Old Firm win en route would send a message.
The setting will be strange. The last time Rangers hosted Celtic, in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals, chaos in the stands overshadowed the football. The fallout has been severe: there will be no away supporters inside Ibrox this time. One of world football’s fiercest derbies, played in front of a one-sided crowd. The noise will be intense, but it will be entirely blue.
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 a tightrope with injuries in attack. Captain Lawrence Shankland is out for months after tearing his hamstring, a brutal blow for a side that leans on his goals and leadership. Youssef Chermiti is already sidelined with a hamstring problem of his own, stripping McInnes of another striker. New signing Daisuke Yokota has also been ruled out with a hamstring issue, while left back Tuur Rommens is edging closer to fitness but will not make this one.
Celtic, by contrast, are starting to welcome key figures back. Record signing Kasper Hogh returned from injury in the 1-0 win at St Johnstone, a timely boost in the final third. Kieran Tierney is nearing a comeback and could be ready in time for Ibrox, adding steel and drive down the flank. O'Neill shuffled his pack in midweek, handing a debut to goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and giving Viljami Sinisalo a breather, while Cameron Carter-Vickers is expected to be available again after being left out entirely on Wednesday.
McInnes is likely to go with the following Rangers XI:
Pandur; Sterling, Fernandez, Makhanya, Penrice; Raskin, Devlin; Curtis, Kim, Gassama; Naderi.
The stage is set. No away fans, a manager under scrutiny, a champion out to reclaim lost silverware. For both clubs, this isn’t just a cup tie – it’s an early verdict on where their season is really heading.
