Neil McCann has tipped Rangers’ endurance to see them through to the end and lift the Viaplay Cup ahead of Celtic.
Michael Beale gets his first opportunity to lift silverware as a manager, while Ange Postecoglou has fond memories of the League Cup, with it being the first trophy he won as Hoops boss after beating Hibs at Hampden last year. Beale has won 13 of the 14 matches of his tenure after replacing Gio van Bronckhorst at Ibrox, with the only points dropped coming against their city rivals in a 2-2 draw at New Year.
The pair face each other at the national stadium for the first time since last season's Scottish Cup semi-final. Despite going ahead through Greg Taylor, Celtic were pegged back by a Scott Arfield strike before Fashion Sakala won it in extra-time for the Light Blues, who were taken beyond 90 minutes in the final by Hearts before eventually scoring twice to claim their first Scottish Cup win since 2009.
McCann expects goals, but not necessarily a winner after 90 minutes. And he believes his former club’s experience in going the distance could prove crucial. "This will go to extra-time I think. It will be a scoring game then go to extra-time,” he said on Sportscene. Rangers have shown that they’ve got a wonderful power of endurance when it gets to that stage. They've got form and they might just shade it. I’ve had my say in terms of Hampden. When it’s at absolute full capacity, it’s a good atmosphere
"I still think it could be better in terms of the club sides. But when the Old Firm come to Hampden to fight it out in a cup final, it's a very, very special occasion.
“I've come out on the winning side a couple of times and it feels good. You don’t want to lose because you’re remembered equally as if you win it.
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