Glasgow's Old Firm rivalry reaches a pivotal moment on Sunday 13 September when Rangers and Celtic meet in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Ibrox. The fixture carries exceptional weight this season due to a convergence of circumstances: the absence of visiting supporters, recent European disappointments for both clubs, and Derek McInnes' first managerial encounter with Celtic since taking charge at Rangers.
Rangers legend Graeme Souness has characterised the quarter-final as an opportunity for both sides to "put a marker down" as they face each other for the first time in the 2024-25 campaign. The match, scheduled for 12:00 BST, will be broadcast live on Premier Sports and represents the final quarter-final of the weekend.
How do the teams compare heading into the fixture?
Celtic have demonstrated domestic dominance, winning all six Scottish Premiership matches to date with 14 goals scored and just three conceded. However, their season has not been without blemish. An unconvincing opening victory against Dundee was followed by commanding performances at Kilmarnock and Dundee United. The picture darkened considerably in European competition when, despite establishing a 3-0 first-leg advantage over Austrian side LASK in their Champions League play-off, they suffered a catastrophic collapse. Callum McGregor's early strike in Austria had positioned Celtic to advance to the league phase, but LASK orchestrated a remarkable turnaround to claim a 5-1 victory on the night and progress 5-4 on aggregate.
Since that European setback, Celtic have stabilised their league form with four consecutive victories, though a narrow midweek win at St Johnstone lacked conviction despite manager Martin O'Neill rotating his starting eleven significantly.
Rangers have experienced a more turbulent domestic campaign. McInnes began his tenure with a draw at Dundee United followed by a defeat to Hibernian, leaving him without a league victory in his opening two matches. A commanding League Cup performance against St Mirren preceded four successive league wins, improving the mood at Ibrox ahead of Sunday's encounter.
The Rangers manager's European experience has mirrored Celtic's disappointment. After finishing third in the previous season, Rangers entered the Europa League third qualifying round but were eliminated following a 2-1 first-leg defeat to Polish outfit Jagiellonia Bialystok and a 1-1 home draw. They subsequently dropped into the Conference League play-offs, where they defeated Czech side Jablonec 1-0 in Glasgow before losing on penalties in the return fixture.
Why will there be no away supporters at Ibrox?
The absence of visiting fans represents a significant departure from traditional Old Firm protocol. Earlier this month, confirmation emerged that no away supporters would attend any SPFL matches between the Glasgow rivals for the remainder of the season. The SPFL has confirmed this arrangement will apply to Rangers-Celtic matches in SPFL competitions for the remainder of the 2026-27 season.
This "temporary arrangement" followed discussions between the two clubs and the SPFL in response to the Scottish FA's independent review into disturbances at the Scottish Cup quarter-final held at Ibrox in March. That fixture was marred by disorder and pitch incursions from supporters of both teams. Approximately 8,000 visiting supporters—a significantly larger allocation than previous away attendances—had been permitted entry to witness Celtic's penalty shootout victory.
The unrest that followed prompted the Scottish FA to mandate that both Celtic and Rangers play their subsequent home Scottish Cup ties behind closed doors. For this weekend's League Cup clash, Rangers initially proposed an allocation of 300 supporters, but Celtic rejected the proposal. In light of the SPFL's ruling, no away fans will be present inside Ibrox on Sunday.
What perspective do the managers bring to the encounter?
Rangers manager Derek McInnes has emphasised the importance of utilising home advantage.
I think we've got to bring the crowd with us. You're not going to play Celtic and dominate the game for 90 minutes. We'll have spells, they'll have spells, it's just the way it is. I think it's important that we tap into having that 50,000 behind us and be behind the players, support them, have their backs, not be on their backs and really make it as tough for Celtic as possible. There's been a lot of frustration over a period of time at the club and it's up to us to try and show that we're going to deliver something a bit different.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has focused on the importance of controlling the match's tempo and taking an early lead.
I suppose if you get in front in the game, that makes them anxious. Talking about getting in front and getting in front are two different things. The crowd will be right behind their team, which you would expect. We just do our best. We know that we're up against a very fine side. We're up against a crowd that can make a difference. I'd be delighted to be celebrating something in the game.
Celtic great Scott Brown, analysing the fixture, stressed the value of an early goal in silencing the home support.
As a Celtic player, you want to silence that crowd early doors. You want to make sure that you keep the ball, you dictate, and if Celtic get an early goal it becomes a nervous Ibrox. The big [derby] is always the first game.
What does the historical record reveal?
Celtic have dominated the League Cup head-to-head record in recent years, winning the past six meetings between the clubs since losing the final to Rangers in 2011. However, their record at Ibrox in this competition is considerably weaker. Celtic's last League Cup victory at Ibrox came in the group stage in 1973, when they also reached the semi-finals that season. Notably, they have never won a League Cup knockout tie in Govan.
In broader terms, Celtic have won only four of their previous 14 matches against Rangers at Ibrox. Rangers, by contrast, have reached the semi-finals in all but one occasion over the past decade. Celtic have not experienced a quarter-final elimination since 2009, when Hearts defeated them 1-0 at Celtic Park through a Michael Stewart penalty, with current Celtic coach Stephen McManus sent off late in that tie.
O'Neill's personal record at Ibrox stands at 11 matches played, with six victories, one draw, and four defeats. McInnes' overall record against Celtic is considerably less favourable: from 61 encounters, he has recorded 10 victories, four draws, and 47 defeats.
What happens next in the Old Firm rivalry?
Following Sunday's cup encounter, the two clubs will meet again in league competition just one week later. The Old Firm league meeting at Celtic Park is scheduled for Sunday 20 September, providing an immediate opportunity for either side to respond to the weekend's result and intensify their rivalry in the early stages of the season.
