Rangers host Celtic in crucial League Cup quarter-final clash

Rangers will face Celtic in the first Old Firm clash of the season, with a place in the League Cup semi-finals at stake. The match will take place at Ibrox, just a week before another league encounter between the two sides. Both teams have shown strong form recently, with Celtic winning all six of their league matches this season and Rangers securing victories in their last four outings after a slow start.

The stakes are high for both clubs, as Rangers have not lifted silverware since 2024, while Celtic aims to reclaim the only domestic trophy that slipped from their grasp last season. The match will also see Derek McInnes leading Rangers against Martin O'Neill, who has significant experience in Old Firm derbies. McInnes has faced Celtic numerous times as a manager, winning a fraction of those encounters, and this will be his first Old Firm match in the dugout.

Selection dilemmas face both managers ahead of the match. McInnes must decide on his attacking options with captain Lawrence Shankland and Youssef Chermiti unavailable. Ryan Naderi, who impressed in a recent match, could retain his place, while Bojan Miovski's performance may also influence the starting lineup. Celtic's O'Neill has rested key players in the midweek match, with Camilo Duran expected to return to the starting XI after missing out due to injury.

In a notable change, there will be no away fans present at Ibrox for this League Cup quarter-final, following a recent review of ticket allocations due to safety concerns. This decision comes after previous incidents involving fan clashes. Despite the absence of their supporters, Celtic has previously won at Ibrox under similar circumstances, which may lessen the impact of the situation for them. Both managers have acknowledged the unique atmosphere of the fixture, with McInnes emphasising the importance of home support.

via Sky Sports