Complete team information and anticipated lineups for the Premier Sports Cup final
This Sunday afternoon’s Premier Sports Cup final between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden will decide the first trophy of the 2024–25 Scottish football season.
After defeating Aberdeen 1-0 in December of last year, Rangers are currently the holders. This is the sole trophy their manager, Philippe Clement, has won since taking over at Ibrox 14 months ago. Nevertheless, following an early elimination from the competition the previous season, Celtic is committed to winning the trophy again.
After winning the Premiership and Scottish Cup the previous season, Brendan Rodgers’ team has only lost once this season, away to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, and 3-0 at Parkhead in the season’s first Old Firm rivalry. They are the clear favourites to win at Hampden because they are now 11 points ahead of Rangers in the league.
Rangers vs. Celtic team news
Right-back Alistair Johnston is Celtic’s main injury concern after suffering a hip injury during Tuesday’s Champions League goalless draw with Dinamo Zagreb. Although he has had less training sessions in the lead-up to the final, the Canadian was substituted at the half and is still anticipated to participate.
Midfielder Luke McCowan, who played for Dundee earlier in the tournament, is regrettably cup-tied and will not be available to Rodgers. The manager’s main dilemma is deciding who will play in his three-man midfield with Reo Hatate and captain Callum McGregor. It appears that Paulo Bernardo will be chosen over Arne Engels.
When Rangers’ star central defender John Souttar hobbled off with a groin injury during Thursday’s Europa League match with Tottenham Hotspur, it was a major setback. Given that Leon Balogun will be paired with Robin Propper in the centre of defence for the derby at Hampden, he is extremely unlikely to play.
Clement must make a significant decision at right-back as well. Dujon Sterling will be a fierce rival for captain James Tavernier, who started against Spurs. With Ianis Hagi and Nedim Bajrami fighting for a start, it’s also unclear who the Belgian will select in the No. 10 spot. Hamza Igamane, the striker, should be able to play despite having a minor calf injury.
Longer-term injury sufferers Neraysho Kasanwirjo, Tom Lawrence, and Rabbi Matondo are unquestionably out of the Rangers’ lineup.
Teams predicted for Celtic vs. Rangers
Celtic (4-3-3): Paulo Bernardo, Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor; Nicolas Kuhn, Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda; Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Greg Taylor; and Kasper Schmeichel.
Rangers (4-2-3-1): Nicolas Raskin, Mohamed Diomande; Vaclav Cerny, Nedim Bajrami, Jefte; Hamza Igamane; Jack Butland; James Tavernier, Leon Balogun, Robin Propper, and Ridvan Yilmaz.
