Celtic vs Rangers: Scottish League Cup final talking points as Old Firm meet at Hampden Park
Celtic take on holders Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup final on Sunday; it is the only trophy Philippe Clement has won so far as Rangers manager; Brendan Rodgers won it three times during his first spell at Celtic; Clement has never led Rangers to a victory against their Old Firm rivals
Friday 13 December 2024 18:10, UK
Bragging rights, trophy records, unbeaten runs and the first silverware of the season - it is all on the line as Celtic face holders Rangers in Sunday's League Cup final.
Philippe Clement led the Gers to the trophy for the first time since 2011, as they beat Aberdeen 1-0 last season to hand the Belgian his only silverware in over a year in charge.
Celtic, who have won the competition seven times in the last decade, are in formidable form this season. Domestically, Brendan Rodgers' side are unbeaten, while in Europe they've only lost once - away to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
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The sides last met in the League Cup final in the 2022/2023 campaign as then Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou took his first step towards a domestic treble - something Rodgers is hoping to do again this season.
Here, we look at the key talking points ahead of this weekend's hotly anticipated showdown and hear from the managers...
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Rodgers: It's about how we play
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, speaking ahead of the match at the National Stadium, said: "It's a special game, but it's the next game and the next game that we want to win.
"That is our mindset going into it. We've enjoyed Hampden, we've enjoyed playing there. The pitch suits us, it's a big pitch, so when you play through pressure and a press, then there's lots of space for you to play, and that's something that, in my time there, we've enjoyed, whether it's been a semi-final or a final.
"It's a competition that we obviously missed out on last year, so we're very hungry to win this one.
"It's also preparing for a final, so you don't expect everything to go your way, and that's always been the case in all the finals. There's always something that can go against you, so it's preparing and expecting that.
"Going into these games, it's never so much about who we play, it's about how we play, and that's always been a real focus."
Clement: Rangers must control the controllables
Rangers boss Philippe Clement speaking to Sky Sports News said: "We need to focus on everything we can control. So to control the controllable and to give our ultimate best in that way and to grab the moments and not think about what the result can be.
"It's the way towards the result that's much more important, otherwise you will never get the result.
"After this trophy, there will be also many trophies after. A lot of trophies are won by a lot of different managers and a lot of different players, so in the end it's about the next game. It's about the next game, performing at our best and giving our best as a team.
"These are the games where you don't create 20 good chances and if you miss one or two, the next one will come along. No, you need to grab the moments and that's crucial at that level to be clinical. That's going to be an important part of the story also."
Who will start at Hampden?
Squad rotation has been key for Brendan Rodgers and Celtic's success this season with the manager regularly stressing the importance of his full squad.
He made four changes for their Champions League draw away to Dinamo Zagreb with Kyogo returning to lead the line, while Paulo Bernardo and Reo Hatate started in midfield.
While the Japan striker could keep his spot for Sunday's derby, Adam Idah - who dropped out in Zagreb - was the player who scored the only goal as they beat Rangers to clinch the Scottish Cup in May.
In midfield, record £11m summer signing Arne Engels and Luke McCowan started Celtic's last domestic game and could return, while right-back Alistair Johnston is set to be fit despite suffering an injury in Zagreb.
Rangers also suffered European injury woes with in-form duo John Souttar and Hamza Igamane both being forced off during their 1-1 Europa League draw with Spurs. A late fitness test will decide if either are fit for Hampden.
Right-back James Tavernier started on Thursday night, but the captain's struggles against Daizen Maeda in recent Old Firm games could see him replaced by Dujon Sterling at Hampden.
After their European ineligibility, Danilo and Ianis Hagi are available for selection but with Nedim Bajrami and Ridvan Yilmaz - who played in an advanced role against Spurs - both impressing on Thursday, will Clement be tempted to keep changes to a minimum?
How do the managers' records read?
There have been five Old Firm meetings since Clement took charge at Rangers and it is a fixture he is yet to win.
His first game against Celtic last December ended in a 2-1 defeat before they claimed a 3-3 draw at Ibrox in April.
Rangers lost the final Premiership meeting of last season 2-1 then Idah's late goal saw the Hoops triumph in the Scottish Cup final.
Rodgers' Celtic then claimed a 3-0 victory in the first league meeting of this campaign at Parkhead in September.
Will Celtic end Rangers' trophy bragging rights?
Whoever wins at Hampden on Sunday will be able to claim bragging rights of having won the most trophies - with the clubs tied on 118 major honours.
If it is a Celtic victory, their tally will be greater than their rivals for the first time in 86 years.
The Hoops have won 54 league titles, 42 Scottish Cups, 21 League Cups and a European Cup in 1967.
Rangers have won 55 top-flight titles, 34 Scottish Cups, 28 League Cups and the 1972 European Cup Winners Cup.
Boyd: Rangers beating Celtic would be a shock
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd on Sky Sports News ahead of the final:
"Rangers are the holders, Celtic are flying high at the top of the table in terrific form domestically and in European competitions.
"Rangers have had a stuttering start to the season, but you get the feeling that they started to pick up recently.
"I think if Rangers are to win the cup on Sunday, it would be a shock and it shouldn't be like that. Under normal circumstances, it should be a pretty even game and whoever plays it the best wins on the day, but it would be an upset and a shock if Rangers are to go and win.
"That's how far I think Celtic are ahead of Rangers right now but as I said, it's a cup final, it's an Old Firm game - you just never know what's going to happen."
Do Rangers need a result more?
The gulf between the Old Firm rivals is clear to see this season with Celtic already holding a commanding 11-point lead in the title race.
Clement told Sky Sports he believes the Hoops as "financially out of our league" but in these games, form sometimes does not count as much.
There has been an improvement from Rangers in recent weeks and this is their trophy to defend. The question is: can they be the first team to beat Celtic domestically this season?
The fans are demanding and the fact they have not beaten their rivals since May 2023, after Celtic had already clinched the Premiership title, is a frustration for them.
A result at Hampden Park on Sunday would further ease the pressure on the manager and ensure they are not facing another trophy-less campaign.
The first step to a Celtic treble?
Rodgers has told Sky Sports of his "burning" desire to secure a domestic treble after their League Cup disappointment last season.
The Northern Irishman won two trebles in his first spell in charge, the first during an unbeaten campaign, a feat that victory on Sunday would send him on his way to achieving again.
Celtic have been dominant this season and few would predict a Rangers win given the improvement in the side.
Route to the final
After last season's early exit from the competition, Daizen Maeda scored a double as Celtic eased to a 3-1 win at home to Hibs.
They then claimed a 5-2 victory against Championship side Falkirk to set up a semi-final clash with Aberdeen which they comfortably won 6-0.
Rangers began their trophy defence with a 2-0 win over St Johnstone in August then knocked Dundee out with a 3-0 victory at Ibrox.
They came from behind to beat Motherwell 2-1 in the semi-final at Hampden Park last month thanks to goals from Cyriel Dessers and Nedim Bajrami.
Who are the match officials?
John Beaton, who took charge of the first Old Firm league clash of the season, is the referee for Sunday's final.
He will be assisted by David McGeachie and Jonathan Bell who are running the line.
Alan Muir is on VAR and will be assisted by Frank Connor.
