Celtic and Rangers meet in the final of the Scottish League Cup on Sunday as Hampden Park plays host to the first trophy decider of the season.
Brendan Rodgers’ side, who sit nine points clear at the top of the Premiership standings, produced an impressive performance in midweek as they drew away to Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Champions League. Unsurprisingly, they head into this game as favourites to take back the trophy that their Old Firm rivals won a year ago.
Rangers have struggled for consistency in the league, but have reserved their best performances for games against superior opposition. They claimed a stunning 4-1 away win over Nice in the Europa League last month, and have shown signs of improvement since their 3-0 loss to Celtic in their last derby meeting back on September 1. Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham at Ibrox should arguably have ended in a home win.
The Sporting News looks at the latest team news and predicted lineups for this showdown.
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Scottish League Cup final 2024: Celtic vs. Rangers lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Rogers may be tempted to stick with the same starting lineup that played so well in the Champions League against Dinamo Zagreb this week, although right-back Alistair Johnson is a doubt with a hip problem sustained in the 0-0 draw.
Daizen Maeda scored a hat-trick in the 6-0 thrashing of Aberdeen in the semifinal, and he should partner compatriot Kyogo Furuhashi in attack. The latter scored both goals in Celtic’s final win back in 2023.
USMNT defender Cameron Carter-Vickers is bidding to lift the trophy for a third time.
Celtic predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Schmeichel (GK) — Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor — Bernardo, McGregor, Hatate — Kuhn, Furuhashi, Maeda
Injured: Johnson (hip, doubt), Thiago Holm
Suspended: None
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Oscar Cortes returned to the Rangers bench in their 1-1 midweek Europa League draw with Tottenham, but centre-back John Souttar limped off and is expected to miss out this weekend.
Winger Rabbi Matondo is close to a return but still short of full fitness, so a place on the bench is probably the best he can hope for. Midfielder Tom Lawrence is not likely to be back from a leg injury sustained in the semifinal, while Neraysho Kasanwirjo is a long-term absentee.
Striker Hamza Igamane ran himself into the ground in a terrific individual display against Spurs, and he may need to start Sunday’s game on the bench.
Rangers predicted lineup (4-1-4-1, right to left): Butland (GK) — Tavernier, Propper, Balogun, Jefte — Raskin — Cerny, Barron, Hagi, Igamane — Dessers
Injured: Lawrence (leg), Kasanwirjo (knee), Matondo (hamstring), Oscar Cortes (muscle), Souttar (hamstring)
Suspended: None
Scottish League Cup final 2024 live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch Celtic vs. Rangers across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
