Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Ally McCoist backs Rangers to defeat Celtic in bold Scottish Cup prediction

Ally McCoist has backed Rangers to beat Celtic in the Scottish Cup final.

The Ibrox hero reckons his former club can topple Celtic in the showpiece final at Hampden on Saturday.

However, for that to happen, McCoist has insisted Rangers must come flying out the traps with aggression - but not crossing the line like John Lundstram's red card tackle on Alistair Johnston.

McCoist has tipped Rangers to achieve a 2-1 triumph at the national stadium but warned that hinges on Philippe Clement's side avoiding a sluggish start like in previous matches against Celtic.

The former Rangers striker told sports betting site talkSPORT BET: “Rangers have to start the game well on Saturday. It’s unbelievable how Rangers have started Old Firm games recently on the back foot.

"The one thing you have to do in an Old Firm game is come flying out of the traps and meet the opposition head-on, and Rangers haven’t done that in recent games.

“They’ve been on the back foot. Look at the game at Ibrox in April, Celtic scored in 40 or 50 seconds. It was just unbelievable. Rangers fans were amazed with what they were watching!

“So Rangers have to come out fast, but they also can’t afford to put tackles in like the one John Lundstram put in at Celtic Park earlier this month.

"I’m not talking about coming out and being aggressive like that, I mean they must show an aggressive attitude and a mental intelligence. You can play aggressively without picking up silly yellow or red cards!

“The one thing Rangers have to do is keep 11 players on the pitch but play with a far more aggressive attitude. If they can do that then they can beat Celtic. I think it could be 2-1 to Rangers.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.