Celtic and Rangers meet in the final of the Scottish League Cup on Sunday as Hampden Park plays host to the first trophy decider of the season.
Brendan Rodgers' side, who sit nine points clear at the top of the Premiership standings, produced an impressive performance in midweek as they drew away to Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Champions League. Unsurprisingly, they head into this game as favourites to take back the trophy that their Old Firm rivals won a year ago.
Rangers have struggled for consistency in the league, but have reserved their best performances for games against superior opposition. They claimed a stunning 4-1 away win over Nice in the Europa League last month, and have shown signs of improvement since their 3-0 loss to Celtic in their last derby meeting back on September 1. Thursday's 1-1 draw with Tottenham at Ibrox should arguably have ended in a home win.
The Sporting News looks at the latest team news and predicted lineups for this showdown.
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Scottish League Cup final 2024: Celtic vs. Rangers lineups, confirmed starting 11, team news
Right-back Alistair Johnson was a doubt with a hip problem sustained in the 0-0 draw with Dinamo Zagreb, but he is fit to start the final.
Daizen Maeda scored a hat-trick in the 6-0 thrashing of Aberdeen in the semifinal, and he partners Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn and compatriot Kyogo Furuhashi in attack. The latter scored both goals in Celtic's final win back in 2023.
USMNT defender Cameron Carter-Vickers is bidding to lift the trophy for a third time.
Celtic starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Schmeichel (GK) — Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor — Bernardo, McGregor, Hatate — Kuhn, Furuhashi, Maeda
Celtic subs: Scales, Palma, Idah, Valle, Sinisalo, Hyun-jun, Engels, Forrest, Ralston
Injured: Thiago Holm
Suspended: None
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Oscar Cortes returned to the Rangers bench in their 1-1 midweek Europa League draw with Tottenham, but he and centre-back John Souttar, who limped off in that game, miss out this weekend. Leon Balogun and Robin Propper start.
Striker Hamza Igamane keeps his place despite running himself into the ground against Spurs. Ianis Hagi and Nedim Bajrami start in support, while Mohamed Diomande comes into midfield.
Winger Rabbi Matondo is close to a return but still short of full fitness, and midfielder Tom Lawrence is not back from a leg injury sustained in the semifinal. Neraysho Kasanwirjo is a long-term absentee.
Rangers starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Butland (GK) — Tavernier, Propper, Balogun, Jefte — Diomande, Raskin — Cerny, Bejrami, Hagi — Igamane
Rangers subs: Yilmaz, Barron, Dessers, Dowell, Sterling, Kelly, King, McCausland, Danilo
Injured: Lawrence (leg), Kasanwirjo (knee), Matondo (hamstring), Oscar Cortes (muscle), Souttar (hamstring)
Suspended: None
Scottish League Cup final 2024 live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch Celtic vs. Rangers across selected areas of the world's major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | — | Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo |
| Canada | — | — |
| UK | Premier Sports 1 | Premier Sports Player |
| Australia | beIN Sports 1 | beIN Sports Connect |
| India | — | — |
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