Celtic vs Rangers LIVE: Scottish League Cup final team news and updates as Old Firm rivals clash
The Glasgow rivals battle for the first silverware of the season at Hampden Park
The first silverware of the Scottish season is on the line as the Old Firm rivals collide in the Scottish League Cup final.
Celtic and Rangers meet at Hampden Park as the competition’s two most successful clubs renew hostilities in Glasgow. Philippe Clement may be yet to test victory in this fixture since arriving at Ibrox but it is his side who are the defending champions after a narrow win against Aberdeen last December. Their hopes of victory today were also boosted by a highly encouraging showing in the Europa League, with a draw against Tottenham the latest in a string of good performances in Europe.
Domestically, though, it is the defending Scottish Premiership champions who are streaking clear. Celtic are yet to lose in the league this season and are already nine points clear of their closest challengers with a game in hand. Having missed out on this trophy last year, Brendan Rodgers will be looking to keep his hopes of winning a third treble at the club alive having previously achieved the feat in both 2017 and 2018.
Follow all of the latest from the Scottish League Cup final in our live blog below:
Celtic v Rangers - live
A massive roar greets the players as they emerge - Hampden is rocking. A loud and busy cup final is on the way next.
Celtic v Rangers - live
One defeat in 19 for Brendan Rodgers against Celtic.
“It’s a nice focus in the early part of the season. We’ve started the season so well, this is an opportunity for something tangible from that,” he said.
“Johnston felt pain in the Zagreb game but he was absolutely fine.
“They’ll come into the game with confidence but for us it’s about how we play and how we show our football.”
Celtic v Rangers - live
As for Rangers, it’s Balogun and Propper in at centre-back with John Souttar out injured.
“It’s a huge miss that Souttar’s out he’s been really consistent this season. But the two guys in have to communicate and not allow space behind. Leon Balogun has a big game in front of him,” former right-back Alan Hutton says.
“We’re always confident, I believe in my team. We’re getting better and better,” manager Philippe Clement says ahead of kick-off. “Others have to stand up and do the job, that’s the world of football,” he adds on Souttar’s absence.
Celtic v Rangers - live
Alistair Johnston is fit and starting for Celtic at right-back, despite doubts he’d make it.
“A huge boost for Celtic, he’s a wonderful player going forward and defensively what he brings to the team. He’s a great relationship with Kuhn which has really blossomed this season,” says Neil Lennon.
That right flank will be a key one for the Hoops.
Celtic v Rangers - live
We are 20 minutes from kick-off!
Atmosphere building, teams almost set. A massive occasion at Hampden.
Clement “under zero pressure” to win
In his pre-match press conference, Ranger boss Philippe Clement said that he feels “under zero pressure” to beat Celtic, adding that he is “200%” focused on winning games and winning trophies.
“There will be mind games” and the players will “need to handle that well,” he said, adding that “the belief is there before a match”.
On Celtic’s extra time to recover, he added: “I’m not busy with that. I’m just focused on ourselves. But having played Thursday/Sunday for much of the season is a help. Your body adapts to that.”
Rodgers: “You never get bored of them"
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers told the media that his side “never get bored of” Old Firm derbies, adding that “it’s such an iconic fixture throughout the world so to have the possibility to have so many in the season is amazing”.
“This is what we’re built for, the tougher the challenge, that’s what we relish.
“It’s not any other game, it’s an iconic game for everyone to be involved in.
“That’s not lost on me but from a coaching perspective it’s about what allows us to perform and for us that’s to stay calm, look at our tactics in the game and how we pitch that to the players so they can go and play.”
Celtic v Rangers live
45 minutes until kick-off, so here’s a reminder of how you can watch today’s match.
The Scottish League Cup final is set to kick off at 3.30pm GMT on Sunday 15 December at Hampden Park.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Premier Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 3pm GMT. Subscribers can stream via the Premier Sports website.
If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Team news
Rangers boss Philippe Clement has made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Spurs in the Europa League.
In defence, John Souttar drops out for Leon Balogun, while on the wing, Rıdvan Yılmaz has been replaced by Ianis Hagi.
Team news
Celtic line up with the exact same 11 as that which drew 0-0 to Dinamo Zagreb in midweek.
It’s a 4-3-3, with Callum McGregor playing as the more central midfielder and Paulo Bernardo and Reo Hatate on either side of the captain.
Up front, Kyogo Furuhashi starts centrally with Daizen Maeda on the left and Nicolas Kühn on the right.
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