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Old Firm rivals clash in League Cup Final
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Unbeaten start for Rangers under Beale
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Celtic favourites to life the trophy
Rangers v Celtic
Sunday, 3.00 pm
Live on ViaPlay
Glasgow giants collide
Scotland's two biggest clubs prepare to decide this season's first piece of silverware at Hampden on Sunday. Rangers is the League Cup's top team with 27 previous titles, enjoying a cushion over the chasing pack led by Celtic on 20. But the Gers haven't won this famous trophy since 2011.
The Bhoys are on a winning streak at this level and enter as the defending champions. This was the first trophy Ange Postecoglou won in Scotland, and the former Australian national team boss returns to Hampden hoping for more of the same. Can new Rangers boss Michael Beale stop him?
Gers remain unbeaten under Beale
Since Michael Beale swapped Queens Park Rangers for Glasgow Rangers, the Englishman remains unbeaten. Beale was formerly Steven Gerrard's assistant during the club's title-winning season when the pair led the club to a 55th league title but were unable to win a cup. Rangers did make the final of the Europa League and won the Scottish Cup last term, but that was under the guidance of Giovanni van Bronkhorst.
Despite winning all but one of his games - drawing the spare at home to Celtic last month - Beale's team remains nine points behind Celtic in the title race. That places the emphasis on winning this trophy and defending the Scottish Cup. The light blues came agonizing close to beating Celtic at Ibrox in the New Year game but conceded a late goal after some sloppy defending.
Gers needed extra time to beat Aberdeen in the semi-finals of this competition, fighting back from a goal down to win 2-1 thanks to strikes from Ryan Jack and Kemar Roofe. The latter warmed up for Sunday's final with a goal against Livingston last weekend. Rangers fans hope the Englishman is fit to face Celtic as he'll be an important player, either as a starter or off the bench.
Hoops aim to continue their dominance
Apart from that league title won by Gerrard and the Scottish Cup by GvB, Celtic have dominated Scottish football over the last decade. They are champions of the Premiership and aiming for two in a row. The Hoops are also the current keepers of this trophy, beating Hibs 2-1 at this venue last December thanks to a double from Kyogo Furuhashi.
Celtic were comfortable in their semi-final against Kilmarnock, winning 2-0, but the game was closer than the bare result suggests. Daizen Maeda bundled in the opener 18 minutes before Giorgos Giakoumakis settled things with 95 minutes on the clock. They are back in another final, and this squad's experience of performing when it matters helps to make them the pre-game favourites.
Despite being streets ahead of the chasing pack in the Premiership, Celtic are showing no signs of taking their foot off the gas under Postecoglou. They were last seen smashing Aberdeen 4-0 at Parkhead on a day when Reo Hatate netted a double. Confidence is sky-high in the camp, which will come as no surprise to anyone following Celtic this season.
Bhoys are the betting favourites
The pre-match betting is available on the Betfair Exchange, and you can have your say on the 2023 Scottish League Cup winner now. But which team should you support with your stake? The betting has Celtic as favourites for the win with odds of 2.166/5 up for grabs. Prefer Rangers at 3.39/4 or the draw, which trades at 3.7511/4?
Rangers should've beaten Celtic at Ibrox just a few weeks ago and have improved since then, with several important players returning to the fold. If they can end their horrible run of losing the first goal in games, they should have the desire to lift the trophy. Back Rangers to win.
We already know how unpredictable the Old Firm Derby can be, especially when there's silverware at stake. With the previous two meetings this season producing four goals each, adding over 2.5 goals at 1.684/6 to your multiples is worthwhile. Tavernier has been ruthless from the spot again this season and he's 1110/1 to score first.