Celtic vs Rangers: Scottish League Cup closing speaking factors analyzed as Outdated Agency meet at Hampden Park | Soccer information

Bragging rights, trophy information, unbeaten runs and the primary trophy of the season – it is all on the road as Celtic tackle holders Rangers within the League Cup closing on Sunday.

Philippe Clement led Gers to the trophy for the primary time since 2011, beating Aberdeen 1-0 final season at hand the Belgian his solely trophy in additional than a 12 months in cost.

Celtic, who’ve received the competitors seven occasions over the previous decade, are in formidable type this season. Domestically, Brendan Rodgers’ aspect are undefeated, whereas in Europe they’ve solely misplaced as soon as. away at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

The 2 sides final met within the League Cup closing throughout the 2022/2023 marketing campaign as Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou took his first step in the direction of a home treble – one thing Rodgers hopes to do once more this season.

Right here we check out a few of the key speaking factors forward of this weekend’s extremely anticipated showdown…

Who will begin at Hampden?

Squad rotation has been key to Brendan Rodgers and Celtic’s success this season, with the supervisor repeatedly highlighting the significance of his full squad.

He made 4 modifications to their Champions League draw against Dinamo Zagreb with Kyogo returning to steer the road, whereas Paulo Bernardo and Reo Hatate began in midfield.

Whereas the Japanese striker may retain his place for Sunday’s derby, Adam Idah – who dropped out at Zagreb – was the participant who scored the one objective within the win over Rangers to win the Scottish Cup in Could .

In midfield, file £11m summer time signings Arne Engels and Luke McCowan began in Celtic’s final home recreation and will return, whereas right-back Alistair Johnston is uncertain after lacking coaching on Friday following to his harm in Zagreb.

Rangers have additionally suffered from accidents in Europe, with in-form duo John Souttar and Hamza Igamane each compelled out. 1-1 Europa League draw against Spurs.

Proper-back James Tavernier began on Thursday evening, however the captain’s struggles in opposition to Daizen Maeda in latest Outdated Agency matches may see him changed by Dujon Sterling at Hampden.

Danilo and Ianis Hagi can be found for choice – following their European ineligibility – however with Nedim Bajrami and Ridvan Yilmaz impressing in opposition to Spurs, will Clement be tempted to maintain modifications to a minimal?

How do managers’ information learn?

There have been 5 Outdated Agency conferences since Clement took cost of Rangers and this can be a recreation he’s but to win.

Their first recreation in opposition to Celtic final December resulted in a 2-1 defeat earlier than incomes a 3-3 draw at Ibrox in April.

Rangers misplaced the ultimate Premiership assembly of final season 2-1, then Idah’s late objective noticed the Hoops triumph within the Scottish Cup closing.

Rodgers’ Celtic then received a 3-0 victory in the first league meeting of this campaign at Parkhead in September.

Will Celtic finish Rangers’ trophy bragging rights?

Whoever wins at Hampden on Sunday will have the ability to boast of getting received essentially the most trophies – with the golf equipment tied on 118 main honours.

If it is a Celtics win, their complete can be larger than their rivals for the primary time in 86 years.

The Hoops went on to win 54 league titles, 42 Scottish Cups, 21 League Cups and a European Cup in 1967.

Rangers have received 55 top-flight titles, 34 Scottish Cups, 28 League Cups and the 1972 European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Boyd: ‘Rangers beating Celtic can be a shock’

Historical Rangers striker Chris Boyd on Sky Sports activities Information earlier than the ultimate:

“Rangers are the starters, Celtic are flying excessive within the desk in incredible type domestically and in European competitions.

“Rangers have had a rocky begin to the season, however there’s a feeling they’ve began to show round not too long ago.

“I feel if Rangers had been to win the cup on Sunday it will be a shock and it should not be like that. Below regular circumstances the sport must be fairly even and whoever performs it greatest will win that day, however it will be a shock and a shock if Rangers needed to win.

“That is the place I feel Celtic are forward of Rangers in the intervening time, however like I mentioned, it is a cup closing, it is an Outdated Agency recreation – we do not know by no means what is going on to occur.”

Do Rangers want a outcome extra?

The divide between the Outdated Agency rivals is clear this season, with Celtic already holding an 11-point lead within the title race.

Clement mentioned Aerial sports activities he considers the Hoops to be “financially out of our league”, however these video games, when they’re match, typically do not matter as a lot.

There was an enchancment from Rangers in latest weeks and that is their trophy to defend. The query is: can they be the primary staff to beat Celtic domestically this season?

Supporters are demanding and the truth that they haven’t crushed their rivals since Could 2023, when Celtic had already received the Premiership title, is a frustration for them.

A outcome at Hampden Park on Sunday would additional ease the stress on the supervisor and guarantee he’s not confronted with one other trophyless marketing campaign.

Step one in the direction of a Celtic treble?

Rodgers mentioned Aerial sports activities of his “Burning” desire to secure a national treble after their disappointment within the League Cup final season.

The Northern Irishman received two hat-tricks in his first time period in workplace, the primary throughout an unbeaten marketing campaign, a feat which Sunday’s victory would permit him to realize once more.

Celtic have been dominant this season and few would predict a Rangers victory given the staff’s enchancment.

Journey to the ultimate

Following early elimination from the competitors final season, Daizen Maeda scored a brace as Celtic received 3-1 at residence to Hibs.

They then recorded a 5-2 victory over Championship aspect Falkirk to arrange a semi-final conflict with Aberdeen they comfortably won 6-0.

Rangers started their protection of the trophy with a 2-0 win over St Johnstone in August, then knocked out Dundee with a 3-0 win at Ibrox.

They got here from behind to beat Motherwell 2-1 in semi-final at Hampden Park final month due to objectives from Cyriel Dessers and Nadim Bajrami.

Who’re the match referees?

John Beaton, who took cost of the opening Outdated Agency Championship conflict of the season, is the referee for Sunday’s closing.

He can be assisted by David McGeachie and Jonathan Bell who will lead the road.

Alan Muir is on VAR and can be assisted by Frank Connor.