It’s Viaplay Cup final week and unsurprisingly, much of the Rangers focus is on Sunday at Hampden.
Celtic stand between them and a first League Cup triumph since 2009. They have a recent Hampden win over the rivals to use as inspiration after knocking the Hoops out of last season’s Scottish Cup at the semi-final stage. Ange Postecoglou’s men are the holders of this trophy though and won’t be giving it up without a fight, especially when it’s their city neighbours trying to wrestle the silverware from them.
Michael Beale has been left sweating on who he’ll have available for the Sunday showdown. There was promising news regarding Malik Tillam and two others with just three days to go until the first showpiece event of the season. Fashion Sakala’s comments have caused a stir on the other side of the city and he’s been hit with a pre-cup final warning
That led to a look back at the most brutal Old Firm slap downs from years gone by. Both are being linked with a move for a greek midfielder as Record SPort rounds up the latest Rangers news headlines.
Big Sam in town
The former Bolton, Newcastle and disgraced England manager has admitted he would’ve managed Celtic or Rangers if offered and had the timing been right. The small matter of either club wanting him is somewhat brushed past and given at least one of them was scooping up trophies during Allardyce’s heyday, then it’s not a given they would have been clamouring to bring him north.
Tillman fitness boost
The Bayern Munich loanee could be given the all clear for the big occasion, along with John Lundstram and Kemar Roofe. The trio have been nursing injuries and were major doubts to be involved at the national stadium. But Record Sport reported exclusively that the American has returned to training and is in with a good shout of being declared fit for the final.
Fashion slap
Barry Ferguson has warned Fashion Sakala of the dangers of being too outspoken in the build up to a game against Celtic. The Zambian referred to Celtic as the “other mob” in his press conference. While it was tongue-in-cheek from the Zambian, Ferguson was wary about a perceived lack of respect that can fuel the opposition and end up making Sakala look foolish.
Slapdown city
Glasgow’s big two are never shy in sharing their thoughts on what the other half of the city has said or done. Mikael Lustig took great delight in trolling Rangers, as did his captain, Scott Brown. Walter Smith had all the respect for Celtic, but there were occasions when the Ibrox great couldn’t hold his tongue and felt compelled to speak up in defence of his own team. Then there’s Kyle Lafferty, who needed little excuse to weigh in on Old Firm week.
Happy families
The idea to hold a joint press conference with Beale and Postecoglou wasn’t the best there’s ever been. Photos from the media sit down showed both looking extremely awkward whilst sitting next to each other. Ally McCoist fair enjoyed himself though, and was left in hysterics that the duo couldn't at least kid on they were happy to be sat together taking questions.
Greece is the word
Dimitrious Kourbellis is out of contract at Panathinaikos at the end of the season. And the Greek club’s skipper has been linked with a move to both Rangers and Celtic. The 29-year-old is considering his options with a new contract at his current club unlikely to be signed, and Glasgow could well be his next destination.
Cho to Rangers?
The South Korean striker was a long-time target of Celtic before Rangers were credited with an interest in January. In the end, he remained in Korea and the Hoops opted for countryman Oh Hyeongyu instead. But Park Ji Sung, sporting director at Jeonbuk Motors, still believes that a move to either of the Glasgow clubs would be good for Cho and hinted that a move to Britain was at least in the works with the player taking English lessons.
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