Holders Celtic are safely through to another Scottish League Cup final. The Hoops will face St Mirren in next month’s showpiece at Hampden Park after outlasting valiant 10-man Rangers 3-1 in extra time of an Old Firm derby thriller on Sunday. It was a winning return to one of club football’s most famous and ferocious rivalries for Martin O’Neill, who has now engineered back-to-back victories in interim charge along with Shaun Maloney.
Danny Rohl, meanwhile, tasted defeat in his first Old Firm experience following successive domestic victories this week, but will be proud with the effort of his players after captain James Tavernier’s late penalty in normal time following a handball by Anthony Ralston forced an unlikely extra 30 minutes despite Rangers playing with 10 men following Thelo Aasgaard’s first-half dismissal for a dangerous high tackle on Ralston. Celtic had initially taken the lead through Johnny Kenny’s header after an own goal by Nicolas Raskin was chalked off for a marginal offside call against Daizen Maeda.
James Forrest hit the crossbar and Jack Butland made numerous saves before captain Callum McGregor emphatically restored Celtic’s advantage early in extra time, with victory then secured by a first goal in green and white for summer arrival Callum Osmand. Follow Celtic vs Rangers live below!
Celtic vs Rangers highlights
- GOAL! Teenager Osmand slides in first for Celtic
- GOAL! McGregor restores Celtic lead early in extra time
- GOAL! Tavernier levels with penalty after Ralston handball
- RED CARD! Aasgaard sent off for foul on Ralston
- GOAL! Kenny heads in opener after huge Chermiti miss
- NO GOAL! Raskin own goal ruled out for marginal offside
Celtic 3-1 Rangers
16:41 , George FloodCallum McGregor and Callum Osmand both net in extra time to seal holders Celtic's place in the Scottish League Cup final against St Mirren back at Hampden Park on December 14.
A valiant effort from 10-man Rangers, but they fall short in the end and it’s a painful defeat for new boss Danny Rohl in his first Old Firm derby.
But what a return to this famous fixture for Martin O’Neill, who certainly hasn’t lost any of his passion for the game.
Celtic 3-1 Rangers
16:34 , George FloodFull-time in extra time
Celtic 3-1 Rangers
16:34 , George Flood120 mins: Two more minutes of added time left for Celtic to negotiate here.
Their fans are in superb voice and really enjoying themselves now, with an ‘ole’ greeting every pass.
Balikwisha forces a late Celtic corner that comes to nothing.
Celtic 3-1 Rangers
16:32 , George Flood117 mins: It’s been a valiant effort with 10 men from Rangers, but this semi-final tie certainly looks beyond them now.
Celtic 3-1 Rangers
16:29 , George Flood114 mins: Concern for Celtic with Trusty down injured now and all of their substitutions already made.
They kicked the ball out but Rangers go on the attack through Gassama, who promptly gets an earful from McGregor.
A late offside flag then stops Rangers in their tracks, with Schmeichel barking at the assistant on the far side and Maloney exchanging words with the opposition bench.
Celtic 3-1 Rangers
16:26 , George Flood111 mins: Osmand, who Celtic signed from Fulham in the summer, is almost in again as he cuts inside but is well tracked by Antman and Rangers hoof clear.
An attacking change now from Celtic as Maeda makes way for Michel-Ange Balikwisha.
GOAL! Celtic 3-1 Rangers | Callum Osmand 109'
16:22 , George Flood109 mins: And that should be that!
Tierney’s expert cross is guided in from close range by Osmand, who scores a first Celtic goal to remember.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
16:20 , George Flood107 mins: Souttar is also in the book for Rangers and Tavernier is perhaps lucky not to follow suit for that foul on the lively and direct Osmand, who only made his Celtic debut against Falkirk in midweek.
The offside flag then thwarts Celtic as they look to fashion another chance from the resulting free-kick.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
16:18 , George FloodBack off and running at Hampden.
Can Rangers muster another dramatic fightback to take this to penalties?
It’s Maloney rather than O’Neill who seems to be delivering the final Celtic team talk.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
16:15 , George Flood105 mins: Hatate gets tangled up inside the Rangers box but it’s not a penalty and a breathless first half of extra time draws to a close.
McGregor’s goal could prove the difference, but there have been further massive chances at both ends.
Rangers are not done here yet.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
16:13 , George Flood104 mins: Butland saves low from Osmand yet again before a vital touch from Tavernier denies Maeda on the follow-up.
Rangers still alive here, just...
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
16:12 , George Flood102 mins: Rangers’ 10 men are suddenly in the ascendancy again as Scales makes a fine header to repel Antman’s cross and Schmeichel now holds another ball in to relieve the mounting pressure on Celtic.
Rohl has sent on Joe Rothwell for Djiga.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
16:10 , George Flood100 mins: Disciplined play from the experienced Schmeichel, who resists diving in, stays upright and tracks Miovski perfectly as another Rangers opportunity is lost.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
16:09 , George Flood99 mins: A huge chance for Rangers to level again as Miovski tees up Gassama, who is thwarted by Schmeichel.
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
16:08 , George Flood96 mins: Two big chances for Celtic teenager Osmand in quick succession, the first header tipped wide by Butland and the second aimed wide of the back post.
Replays show McGregor’s strike took a slight nick off Souttar, but Butland still should have got to it.
GOAL! Celtic 2-1 Rangers | Callum McGregor 93'
16:02 , George Flood93 mins: What a start to extra time for Celtic as captain McGregor fires home a belter!
But Butland really should have kept that out.
Rangers 1-1 Celtic
16:01 , George FloodThe additional 30 minutes are underway in Glasgow.
Rangers have now introduced Finnish winger Oliver Antman for Raskin.
A real dearth of natural midfielders out there now.
Rangers 1-1 Celtic
15:56 , George FloodEnd of 90 minutes
Extra time it is at Hampden Park!
What a comeback by Rangers’ 10 men.
Celtic so wasteful - Martin O’Neill will be seething.
Rangers 1-1 Celtic
15:55 , George Flood95 mins: We’ve played over the allotted four minutes as Celtic fashion one final chance, Ralston’s searching cross from the right being taken down well by Tierney.
The former Arsenal defender then drives wide off a blue shirt, but there won’t be time to take the corner - which the Celtic fans are audibly livid about.
Rangers 1-1 Celtic
15:52 , George Flood94 mins: Gassama gets the better of Scales in a nervy moment at the back for Celtic, but Schmeichel cleans up.
Rangers 1-1 Celtic
15:52 , George Flood92 mins: The Rangers penalty area is still being besieged as Celtic force another corner and a poor delivery from Tierney is then cleared.
Hatate lofts out to Forrest, who cuts back with a cushioned volley for the Japanese international, who blazes over the crossbar.
What a chance for a dramatic stoppage-time winner!
Rangers replace Meghoma with Max Aarons.
Rangers 1-1 Celtic
15:50 , George Flood90 mins: Four minutes of added time have been signalled as Tierney tries his luck and Raskin scrambles clear.
Rangers are defending frantically as they hope to force extra time against the odds.
Rangers 1-1 Celtic
15:49 , George Flood87 mins: Celtic have suddenly burst back into life and are putting enormous pressure on Rangers’ 10 men now.
They are slinging crosses into the box and a penalty appeal for a challenge on Osmand is waved away.
Rangers 1-1 Celtic
15:45 , George Flood84 mins: Forrest tees up fellow Celtic substitute Osmand with a brilliant low pass, but the teenager is denied by Butland.
That had to be 2-1!
Rangers 1-1 Celtic
15:44 , George Flood82 mins: Celtic are falling apart here and will lose this inside 90 minutes if they aren’t careful.
It’s all Rangers now as they force another corner that is hastily cleared.
GOAL! Rangers 1-1 Celtic | James Tavernier (pen) 81'
15:40 , George Flood81 mins: The 10 men are level late on at Hampden!
Schmeichel guesses the right way but it’s a superb spot-kick from Rangers captain Tavernier, right into the bottom corner.
Vintage Old Firm derby drama...
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:39 , George Flood79 mins: The referee awards a Rangers penalty after Ralston dives at Gassama’s shot and the ball cannons off his arm.
The decision stands after a VAR check.
No second yellow?
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:38 , George Flood77 mins: Tierney is coming on now for Celtic.
Off goes Saracchi.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:35 , George Flood75 mins: A goal-saving challenge from Scales on Gassama as we enter the final 15 minutes at Hampden.
What a last-ditch tackle.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:34 , George Flood73 mins: Celtic continue to push for the second goal that would surely kill off this tie as Butland initially fumbles a tame low effort from substitute Hatate.
He gathers the next ball lofted his way far more cleanly.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:33 , George Flood70 mins: Further changes from both sides now with 20 minutes left to play in this pulsating semi-final.
Reo Hatate and teenage forward Callum Osmand replace Nygren and Kenny for Celtic.
For Rangers, Tottenham loanee Mikey Moore and Bojan Miovski replace Diomande and Chermiti.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:30 , George Flood68 mins: So close again for Celtic!
A smart cut-back is thundered over Butland and against the crossbar off the left foot of substitute Forrest, who did well to generate that sort of power.
His follow-up with his stronger right is smashed over.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:28 , George Flood66 mins: A fifth yellow card for Celtic as Engels is booked for a needless foul.
Diomande blasts wide from distance for Rangers, but here come Celtic again as Nygren nudges off target after Saracchi’s persistent run.
A first change of the game from Celtic as James Forrest replaces Tounekti.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:23 , George Flood64 mins: Butland keeps this at 1-0 with a superb low save to keep out Nygren’s header from a Celtic corner.
A vital stop.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:22 , George Flood62 mins: Scales misplaces a simple pass intended for McGregor, who ends up taking down Raskin.
Yellow card for the Celtic captain - the fifth of the game so far and Celtic’s fourth.
We also had that Aasgaard red of course.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:19 , George Flood58 mins: The Rangers fans sound their encouragement as Rohl’s 10 men continue to crank up the pressure, earning a corner that is seen away by Ralston.
O’Neill is cutting a typically animated figure down on that Celtic touchline at the moment.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:18 , George Flood56 mins: Celtic have been wasteful here and are slowly relinquishing their grip on a game that is becoming more open, despite their numerical advantage.
Maeda is cautioned for a high boot on Diomande before a fumble from Schmeichel.
Raskin is well offside as he looks to pick out Chermiti inside the box.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:14 , George Flood53 mins: More warning signs for undermanned Rangers as McGregor tees up Engels for a curling effort that flashes wide of the far post.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:12 , George Flood51 mins: A really frenetic pace again at the start of this second half as Ralston goes into the book for a foul on Raskin.
Better defending from Djiga now as he rushes back to thwart Saracchi.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:10 , George Flood49 mins: Celtic engineer a dangerous two-on-one opportunity inside the box, with Djiga and Meghoma really struggling for Rangers.
However, Tounekti can’t sort his feet out and the chance is lost.
Now Butland tips away to prevent an own goal by Souttar as he battled with Kenny, who goes on to earn another corner.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:07 , George Flood46 mins: Celtic are straight back into the ascendancy as Tounekti gets the better of the shaky Djiga once more.
Butland ends up with a straightforward stop.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:05 , George FloodBack underway at Hampden, where 10-man Rangers have made a half-time change.
Djeidi Gassama has replaced Danilo.
As you were for Celtic, a goal and a player up.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:03 , George FloodThe other huge call in that chaotic first half...
A bizarre Nico Raskin own goal seemed to have given Celtic the lead, but VAR intervenes ❌
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) November 2, 2025
That looked like an incredibly close offside call 👀😮#PremierSportsCup pic.twitter.com/G5tIYwTipQ
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:03 , George FloodA moment to remember for Johnny Kenny at Hampden...
A bullet header from Johnny Kenny has @CelticFC in the lead against Rangers! 🍀
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) November 2, 2025
"What a header that is!" 🗣️#PremierSportsCup | @spfl pic.twitter.com/XNEWGaEWUn
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
15:02 , George FloodI don’t think there was any malice intended and he tried to pull out of it, but that’s red all day long for Aasgaard.
It's a red card for Thelo Aasgaard! 🟥
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) November 2, 2025
Rangers are now a goal and a man down against Celtic 😬#PremierSportsCup pic.twitter.com/WyBkjlx5kk
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
14:59 , George FloodShould Celtic also be down to 10 men at Hampden?
A really reckless challenge from Trusty on Butland on the stroke of half-time was met with yellow only...
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
14:56 , George FloodA chaotic first half at Hampden Park, with Kenny giving Celtic a deserved lead after an own goal by Raskin was chalked off for a marginal offside call against Maeda.
Chermiti with a couple of big misses for Rangers before Aasgaard's dismissal for a dangerous high challenge on Ralston.
An uphill battle from here for Rohl’s 10 men.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
14:50 , George FloodHalf-time
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
14:49 , George Flood47 mins: Naughty that from Trusty as he catches Butland in the head with his boot after the Rangers goalkeeper had dived on the ball to avert the danger following Celtic’s latest corner.
He’s shown yellow. A bit more force and that surely would have been red.
Rangers are not happy at all.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
14:47 , George Flood45 mins: Into two minutes of added time at Hampden as Tounekti jinks down the Celtic left and into the box, forcing another corner.
Rangers are so open at the back.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
14:44 , George Flood41 mins: Tempers are flaring after that sending off, with Raskin furious after the award of another Celtic free-kick.
The 10 men of Rangers are under huge pressure before half-time as Nygren shoots wide when he should have left it for Kenny.
Celtic fans really loud now.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
14:40 , George Flood40 mins: Rangers are down to 10 men as Aasgaard is shown a straight red card!
He took the ball on his chest and flicked it over the head of Trusty before planting his studs high on the thigh of Ralston.
No hesitation from referee Nick Walsh and Rangers are in real trouble now.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
14:38 , George Flood37 mins: Nygren comes closest to connecting with Engels’ latest whipped ball in from the left, but the ball is smothered by Butland.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
14:38 , George Flood34 mins: Kenny has been so lively up front for Celtic so far.
Another corner is forced after the latest spell of pressure and Engels is quickly fouled by Danilo, who is lucky to avoid a booking.
Celtic with another opportunity from a set-piece, with Engels’ delivery having been excellent so far today.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
14:35 , George Flood30 mins: A shocking start to this game from Chermiti as he’s picked out unmarked from a free-kick to the back post, but the ball bounces harmlessly wide off his shin.
Deary me. He had to do better there.
Celtic 1-0 Rangers
14:32 , George Flood28 mins: This is already an absolute belter of a derby as the persistent Kenny forces a save from Butland, while at the other end Schmeichel denies Raskin at his near post.
Such a frenetic pace to this semi-final now.
GOAL! Celtic 1-0 Rangers | Johnny Kenny 25'
14:27 , George Flood25 mins: That one will count!
It’s a lovely angled header from Kenny from Engels’ accurate corner, looping up above Butland and in.
A penny for Chermiti’s thoughts right about now.
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
14:26 , George Flood22 mins: The first yellow card of this feisty Old Firm derby goes to Rangers defender Cornelius for a heavy sliding challenge on Ralston.
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
14:25 , George Flood20 mins: Huge early drama at Hampden as Rangers quickly respond to that major reprieve, Diomande teeing up Chermiti with a lovely ball that the former Everton forward somehow turns wide.
How did he miss that?!
Still not seen that offside again.
It was Maeda ruled to be just off.
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
14:22 , George Flood18 mins: After Maeda shoots straight at Butland, Celtic appear to take an early lead amid an absolute calamity from Rangers, who fall asleep at a quick free-kick taken by McGregor.
Djiga ends up booting it straight at Raskin as the ball flies into the back of the net.
But there are suspicions of offside and it’s ruled out after a VAR check!
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
14:18 , George Flood16 mins: Celtic are having a lot of early joy down the flanks and in the channels, but their final ball is letting them down at the moment.
Tounekti fails to tee up Nygren and his disappointing cross is gratefully gathered by Butland.
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
14:15 , George Flood12 mins: It’s end-to-end at the moment, with Aasgaard failing to test Schmeichel before Meghoma gives away a clumsy foul on Maeda.
A Celtic free-kick into the box from a dangerous position on the right flank is headed clear.
A good tackle to stop Rangers breaking is penalised, leading to a furious reaction from O’Neill on the touchline.
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
14:13 , George Flood10 mins: Lively stuff now at Hampden as Celtic force a first corner down the right, which is taken short and a sliced clearance from the resulting cross lands at the feet of Tounekti, who slams over with a rushed finish.
At the other end, Meghoma takes on his man before standing up a cross for fellow wing-back Tavernier which is headed well wide beyond the back post.
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
14:09 , George Flood7 mins: Diomande drags down Engels in midfield, but the whistle had already gone for an initial foul on the Ivory Coast international.
A Rangers free-kick lofted in towards the head of Souttar is seen away.
Tounekti has received some treatment for Celtic as another ball pumped forward is easily claimed by Schmeichel.
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
14:06 , George Flood5 mins: All the early danger is being posed by Celtic, with Rangers looking nervous in defence to start this game.
Maeda tries to fashion a chance from the byline and Rangers can’t effectively clear their lines.
Butland now shanks a poor kick into touch on the near side.
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
14:01 , George Flood3 mins: Celtic are seeing plenty of the ball early on with both sets of fans in fine voice.
A bad mistake by Djiga opens the door down the left channel for Tounekti, whose low cross intended for Kenny is crucially scrambled clear.
Here come the teams
13:58 , George FloodA huge roar erupts all around Hampden as the teams emerge from the tunnel and the pyrotechnics go off.
Captains Callum McGregor and James Tavernier lead out their respective sides.
Having said that this rivalry rarely disappoints, the last Old Firm derby in August - the first of the season in the Scottish Premiership - was a real stinker, with Brendan Rodgers and Russell Martin still in charge.
John Souttar’s first-half header was ruled out by VAR for offside in a drab, lifeless goalless draw played amid a febrile atmosphere at Ibrox with both sets of fans furious at their club’s decision-makers.
Surely we’re in for far more entertainment today...
Atmosphere building at Hampden Park
13:38 , George FloodThe players and managers have been out surveying the pre-match scene as fans continue to pour in at Hampden Park.
A huge game feel about this one, as always when these fierce rivals collide.
Few will forget their meeting in the final of this competition last season, when Celtic held their nerve 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Three Rangers changes as Tavernier, Diomande and Aasgaard come in
13:21 , George FloodDanny Rohl, meanwhile, makes three changes to the Rangers team that made it back-to-back Premiership wins over Hibernian in midweek.
Captain James Tavernier and Mohamed Diomande replace Max Aarons and the suspended Connor Barron.
The other change sees Thelo Aasgaard come in for Tottenham loanee Mikey Moore.
Tierney on Celtic bench as Maeda replaces Forrest
13:15 , George FloodCeltic show just the one change from Wednesday night’s 4-0 home win over Falkirk in what was the first game in interim charge for Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney.
Japanese forward Daizen Maeda returns in attack, having come off the bench in midweek, replacing James Forrest.
Kieran Tierney is only a substitute after his injury that forced him to miss that game against Falkirk.
Marcelo Saracchi shakes off a knock to continue at left-back.
Rangers lineup
13:01 , George FloodRangers XI: Butland, Djiga, Souttar, Cornelius, Tavernier, Diomande, Raskin, Meghoma, Aasgaard, Chermiti, Danilo
Subs: Kelly, Aarons, Fernandez, Rothwell, Antman, Moore, Gassama, Curtis, Miovski
Celtic lineup
12:59 , George FloodCeltic XI: Schmeichel, Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Saracchi, McGregor, Engels, Nygren, Tounekti, Maeda, Kenny
Subs: Sinisalo, Balikwisha, Yang, McCowan, Osmand, Hatate, Murray, Forrest, Tierney
McGregor hails Celtic impact of returning O'Neill
12:39 , George FloodCeltic captain Callum McGregor believes that the new interim management team of Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney have provided the club with a much-needed instant lift following a difficult end to the second Brendan Rodgers era.
“They've come in with a real positivity," McGregor said this week.
“It's just about reminding the players how good they are and what we've achieved, albeit some new players came in.
"But a real good core of players that have won stuff at this club, and staff as well that have been a massive part of that.
"He [O’Neill] understands the fabric of the club. It's Celtic people who really understand the club.
"It was almost a full generation ago that he was here the first time. You've obviously seen the team being super successful, winning trophies, getting to the UEFA Cup final.
“I was coming through the academy at that time, and it was really inspiring to have the first team performing so well.
"You've seen how big the club was and you think, one day I want some of that. So to actually be here working with him on a really personal level, it's amazing.
"He's been great. He's sharp as a tack. He's a really good person and he's got good people around him as well.
“You know what he's like, he's quite a funny character as well and just lightened the mood a little bit.
"It helped for the players because sometimes you don't know how to feel when there's a change.
“But right away, when he spoke to the players, it made them feel at ease.
"Obviously, winning games is the biggest thing that helps everyone at a football club.
“So everyone's now naturally feeling good about themselves."
Rohl reveals respect for O'Neill before first Old Firm derby
12:24 , George FloodMartin O’Neill, now 73 and back in (interim) management for the first time since his spell at Nottingham Forest ended with his sacking after only five months in 2019, won 16 of his 27 Old Firm derbies in charge of Celtic between 2000-05, before leaving to take charge of his ill wife and later returning to football at Aston Villa.
It is a record that commands respect from Rangers counterpart Danny Rohl, who is getting his first taste of this famous rivalry at Hampden today as he seeks a third straight win.
“I feel a big respect for such a coaching career," said Rohl.
"I think it is always great as a manager when you work so long in this business and you are successful.
"I am just at the beginning of my career. I have a lot of work to do to come to this point but the good thing is we start at 0-0, different generations and let's see what we can bring with our teams in this game.
"I am very excited. I have had some experience but I expect a big, big one on Sunday. To be part of such a game, it's all or nothing.
“You win, you go into the final, you lose, you're out. I think everything is on for a great, great game."
O'Neill relives iconic 'Demolition Derby' ahead of Old Firm return
12:10 , George FloodThere has been so much talk this week ahead of his first taste of this fixture for two decades about Martin O’Neill’s first Old Firm derby in charge of Celtic, a massive 6-2 home triumph in the SPL back in 2000.
Though they were thrashed 5-1 by Dick Advocaat’s Rangers at Ibrox later that season, the so-called ‘Demolition Derby’, in which Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton both scored braces, is generally seen as a major momentum-shifting result in Scottish football that ushered in the ongoing period of Celtic trophy-winning dominance after a comparatively lean spell in the 1990s.
"Well, replicating that might be extremely difficult, scoring six goals against that side,” O’Neill said ahead of today’s clash at Hampden.
“I'd settle for a really lousy 1-0 victory if we could get it.
"Obviously fond memories, it was great. And it did give us a real springboard really, for that season.
“Because in November time, Rangers took us apart at Ibrox, but I think we had enough self-belief about us that we could withstand that and that's what happened.
"Some lads come up and say to me, 'that was a great game', and they weren't even born. They tell me their grandfathers and fathers were talking about it.
"It became a really pivotal match for us, not just that season, but probably for continuing on."
Celtic vs Rangers prediction
11:51 , George FloodBoth sides are under new management, although there is still some uncertainty bubbling around Celtic with Martin O’Neill only a temporary solution, and he admitted that that was the case at his unveiling, saying that he was merely “keeping the seat warm” for a long-term Brendan Rodgers replacement.
Danny Rohl has brought some calm to a Rangers side that seemed almost irreparable after the Russell Martin debacle, but there is an sense of fairytale about O’Neill’s return to Glasgow.
That momentum has seemed to buoy the Bhoys, who thrashed Falkirk in the Northern Irishman’s first game in interim charge alongside Shaun Maloney, and they could harness that feel-good factor again to come out on top at Hampden.
Celtic to win, 2-1.
Rangers team news
11:49 , George FloodRangers are missing midfielder Connor Barron as they look to continue their recent resurgence under new boss Danny Rohl that has seen back-to-back Premiership wins over Kilmarnock and Hibernian follow a dismal 3-0 Europa League defeat by Brann in Norway.
Barron is suspended after picking up two yellow cards earlier in the League Cup, against Hibs and Alloa.
Still out injured are the trio of Dujon Sterling, Rabbi Matondo and Kieran Dowell.
Celtic team news
11:45 , George FloodKieran Tierney looks set to undergo a late fitness test after missing Wednesday night’s 4-0 home rout of Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership with what Martin O’Neill described as a minor niggle more akin to stiffness.
If he is not ready to start, then left-back understudy Marcelo Saracchi should keep his place after his own knock suffered in midweek.
Celtic look set to remain without both right-back Alistair Johnson and striker Kelechi Iheanacho this afternoon, while Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota are long-term absentees.
How to watch Celtic vs Rangers
11:39 , George FloodTV channel: In the UK, Celtic vs Rangers will be televised live today on Premier Sports 1, with coverage starting at 1pm GMT.
Live stream: Subscribers can also stream the game live online via the Premier Sports app and website.
Celtic vs Rangers live
11:35 , George FloodGood morning and a warm welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of a huge Old Firm derby showdown between Celtic and Rangers in the second Scottish League Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.
Interim boss Martin O’Neill takes charge of Celtic in this famous fixture for the first time in 20 years as Danny Rohl gets his opening taste of one of football’s most ferocious club rivalries in the opposite dugout.
St Mirren await the winners in next month’s showpiece in Glasgow, having hammered Motherwell 4-1 yesterday to reach their first final since 2013.
Kick-off this afternoon is at 2pm GMT, so stay tuned for build-up to the match and live updates, including breaking team news and lineups.
This should be anything but dull!
