Celtic held their nerve to beat Rangers on penalties in a dramatic Old Firm derby clash in the Scottish Cup that was overshadowed by regrettable post-match scenes at Ibrox. Tomas Cvancara was the hero for the Hoops as he stepped up to dispatch the winning spot-kick in front of the Copland Road Stand after Rangers captain James Tavernier had hit the crossbar and Djeidi Gassama fired over from 12 yards.
The fierce Glasgow rivals, meeting for the second time in the space of a week after last Sunday’s thrilling 2-2 draw in the Scottish Premiership, could not be separated through 120 minutes in a frantic stalemate that was high on tension but notably low on quality. Daizen Maeda saw a header for Celtic before half-time ruled out for a fractional offside against stand-in captain Liam Scales, while Emmanuel Fernandez bundled in for Rangers in extra time but the goal was quickly disallowed for handball.
All the post-match focus will inevitably be on the unsavoury events that followed the penalty shootout, with police intervening after hundreds of fans from both clubs invaded the pitch. Follow Rangers vs Celtic reaction live below!
Rangers vs Celtic latest news
- SFA launch investigation into crowd trouble
- Ugly full-time scenes as fans invade pitch
- Celtic win 4-2 on penalties after goalless draw
- NO GOAL! Fernandez effort chalked off in extra time
- NO GOAL! Maeda header ruled out for offside
Martin O'Neill reaction
17:54 , George FloodAsked if there was now a worry that there won’t be another full away allocation allowed in the Old Firm derby for some time, O’Neill replied: “I would certainly hope not.
“It was only a cup game for a start, so I don’t know what the SPL will be thinking about at the end of it all.
“You're asking me a lot of political questions here at this moment when I'm in a euphoric state.
“The fans have spilled over, big scenes there at the end, scenes all over the place. It’s not me diminishing it at all, I will have a think about it and speak to you in due course.”
Martin O'Neill reaction
17:53 , George FloodHere’s the reaction of Rohl’s Celtic counterpart Martin O’Neill when asked about the post-match scenes by Premier Sports.
“Yeah [the Celtic players and backroom staff are okay],” he said.
“It looked as if there were a few tete-a-tetes, anyway, as much as anything else. It's unfortunate. But hopefully it doesn't dilute the performance.
“That may well be [that the post-match scenes become the story]. I need to have a think about it at the end of the day.
“Old Firm games, they are explosive. They always have been. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why the derby is one of the best in the world.”
Rohl: Things like this should not be in the stadium or around football
17:49 , George FloodAsked about the post-match trouble in his press conference, Rangers boss Danny Rohl said he had already made his way back into the tunnel before it all kicked off.
“I’m honest, I was not on the pitch in this moment. I didn’t see it until now,” he said.
“I think we all know the emotional situation after a game. Nobody likes to see this.
“It was a great atmosphere for 120 minutes and I think it should be like this.
“All the other things should not be in the stadium or around football.”
SFA launch quick investigation
17:47 , George FloodThe Scottish Football Association (SFA) have already launched an investigation into those regrettable post-match scenes at Ibrox.
“The Scottish FA condemns the behaviour from supporters entering the field of play following today's Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final at Ibrox Stadium,” the SFA said in a statement.
“An investigation will be carried out immediately in line with the Judicial Panel Protocol.”
Order restored after ugly scenes
15:55 , George FloodThankfully the scores of pitch-invading fans looked to be largely kept away from each other by a barrier of police and stewards and some semblance of order has now been restored.
Really ugly scenes at Ibrox with tensions so high after a dramatic penalty shootout.
Not a good look at all for either club after they each spent so long appealing to be allowed to have full away allocations again in this fixture.
It might be some time again now before they get another.
Chaos at Ibrox
15:47 , George FloodCvancara celebrates in front of the Copland Road Stand and it’s utter pandemonium now at Ibrox.
There are scores of fans of both teams on the pitch, objects thrown, flares being lit and police and stewards everywhere.
Some of the fans are wearing masks.
Someone may have tried to confront one of the Celtic coaches, according to Premier Sports.
Deary me, this is not good.
Thankfully the players have safely exited the pitch.
Penalty shootout
15:44 , George FloodCvancara to send Celtic into the semi-finals... SCORES!
Penalty shootout
15:43 , George FloodGassama now for Rangers, skies it!
Celtic with one foot in the semi-finals...
Penalty shootout
15:42 , George FloodEmphatic from Hatate for Celtic, wow.
3-2
Penalty shootout
15:41 , George FloodNaderi now just gets the ball past Sinisalo!
2-2
Penalty shootout
15:41 , George FloodTrusty for Celtic... sends Butland the wrong way!
2-1
Penalty shootout
15:40 , George FloodBajrami just squeezes it under Sinisalo to bring Rangers level!
1-1
Penalty shootout
15:39 , George FloodOxlade-Chamberlain up first for Celtic... scores down the middle!
Celtic lead the shootout 1-0
Penalty shootout
15:38 , George FloodThe coin gets stuck in the grass on the initial toss.
The penalties will be at the Copland Stand, in front of the Rangers fans.
Captain Tavernier up first... HITS THE CROSSBAR!
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:34 , George FloodFull-time in extra time
We will have the lottery of penalties to decide which Glasgow rival progresses into the Scottish Cup semi-finals.
Which end, though? There are 7,500 Celtic fans taking up the whole Broomloan Stand, remember...
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:33 , George Flood120 mins: One last attack from Celtic, it’s a decent passing move and Forrest gets into the box before his low cross is cleared by Souttar.
The full-time whistle blows - O’Neill is furious that Celtic weren’t allowed to continue there.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:31 , George Flood117 mins: Chermiti is looking tired and laboured in extra time for Rangers and the ball is not sticking with him in attack.
Celtic survive another bout of pressure and a penalty shootout is looking inevitable at Ibrox.
Unless...
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:29 , George Flood117 mins: Araujo brings down Chukwuani and is booked before clashing with Raskin, who briefly has him by the collar.
Not the first bit of aggro involving Celtic’s Bournemouth loanee this afternoon.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:28 , George Flood115 mins: Danger for Celtic as Chermiti comes down the right and his disappointing floaty cross is chested back to Sinisalo by Bernardo.
Another menacing break from Rangers after Souttar had headed back to Butland to keep Celtic at bay and Oxlade-Chamberlain had so nearly won the ball back for the visitors.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:25 , George Flood111 mins: Butland comes charging out of his box to clear after being left short on the attempted back pass by Souttar.
Scales concedes and clears the latest Rangers corner after a swift break.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:23 , George Flood110 mins: Bernardo pulls back Raskin in not-so-subtle fashion and quickly goes into the book.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:22 , George Flood109 mins: Bernardo came on for Nygren a few minutes ago for Celtic and now dances into the Rangers box with some quick feet, but he’s foiled by Souttar.
Souttar has come on for Djiga in that home defence.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:20 , George Flood107 mins: Another important intervention from Murray inside the Celtic box.
Rangers are turning up the pressure again, but Celtic stand firm amid a bombardment before racing forward on the counter.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:18 , George FloodAnother Rangers change for the second period of extra time.
Meghoma is on for Rommens.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:16 , George FloodHalf-time in extra time
A huge impact from Tavernier for Rangers, but still there is nothing to separate these Old Firm rivals with only 15 minutes to go.
Do penalties loom?
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:15 , George Flood105 mins: One minute of added time has been signalled.
Rangers keep the pressure on from a corner but Tavernier’s latest ball into the box is overhit and sails behind harmlessly for a goal kick.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:14 , George Flood105 mins: Now Chermiti steers wide with a low volley from a second inviting Tavernier cross.
Sinisalo holds an effort from Bajrami as Rangers come on strong again late in the first period of extra time.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:10 , George Flood101 mins: The goal is quickly chalked off, unsurprisingly.
One disallowed goal apiece now.
Still 0-0.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:09 , George Flood100 mins: Ibrox erupts after Fernandez bundles home from close range from a Rangers corner.
But that was an absolutely blatant handball and the goal won’t stand.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:08 , George Flood99 mins: The best opening of the game for Rangers as Celtic rather fall asleep and Bajrami’s floated cross to the back post is chested down by Chermiti, whose tired effort is crucially blocked by Murray.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:07 , George Flood98 mins: A dangerous delivery from the right flank from Tavernier is emphatically punched away by a flying Sinisalo.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:05 , George Flood95 mins: The familiar theme of this frantic derby continues in the early stages of extra time - namely a lot of effort, tension and physicality, but preciously little quality.
Oxlade-Chamberlain now with a cheap foul given away.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
15:01 , George Flood92 mins: Rangers create more danger inside the Celtic box but Naderi can’t quite make it work.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:59 , George FloodOff and running in extra time.
Rohl wisely sends on Rangers captain James Tavernier for Sterling, who was pushing his luck on a booking.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:54 , George FloodEnd of 90 minutes
A collective groan around Ibrox as Raskin misses the target with a last-ditch effort.
We will have extra time!
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:52 , George Flood92 mins: Cvancara rises to clear the corner and Murray helps it on, but Rangers are quickly back in possession.
Celtic penned in for the final seconds...
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:52 , George Flood91 mins: Rangers break dangerously in stoppage time but Chukwuani is thwarted by a superb last-ditch block from Murray inside the box.
The hosts have a corner...
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:50 , George Flood89 mins: Sterling gets his head to the Celtic corner and Rangers clear their lines.
Extra time beckons at Ibrox, unless someone can make themselves an Old Firm derby hero in stoppage time.
Three added minutes coming up...
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:49 , George Flood88 mins: Rangers’ full-backs are living dangerously here as Rommens now pulls back Forrest.
The away end roars as Naderi concedes a late corner.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:46 , George Flood85 mins: Gassama’s shot is blocked after a backheel from Chermiti and Murray now nervily slices behind for another Rangers corner.
It’s scrambled away after another dangerous flick-on by Raskin, Nygren there to hook away crucially.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:44 , George Flood84 mins: Sterling needs to be very careful here as he chops down Mvuka on a yellow card.
Hatate is now booked after a tussle with Naderi.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:41 , George Flood80 mins: Despite all their pressure, Rangers have created few clear-cut chances this afternoon.
Chukwuani now fires high and wide.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:39 , George Flood78 mins: Two more changes from O’Neill now as we approach the final 10 minutes of the 90.
Forrest and Mvuka come on for Maeda and Yang.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:38 , George Flood76 mins: Rangers force another corner that is brilliantly claimed by Sinisalo.
Moore is off for Rangers. On comes Bajrami.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:36 , George Flood74 mins: Rangers look for Chermiti again inside the box, but it’s headed away and Moore shanks a tough chance well wide on the rebound.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:33 , George Flood71 mins: Maeda has been tracking back well today for Celtic but that’s a needless foul on Gassama, who has given Rangers real impetus off the bench so far.
Moore lines up a free-kick out on the right, with Raskin’s flick going high into the air and safely caught by Sinisalo.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:31 , George Flood69 mins: This is about as absorbing as a 0-0 gets as Rangers get forward again as the lively Gassama’s cross to the back post is knocked down by Rommens.
Trusty then makes a key block on Chermiti.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:28 , George Flood66 mins: Sterling takes out Nygren and becomes the third Rangers player to have his name taken.
Chermiti can’t make the most of another Rangers opening.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:27 , George Flood63 mins: You’d imagine that’s a knock for Arthur for O’Neill to change his defensive personnel now, especially after Murray struggled at Ibrox last weekend.
The frantic nature of this second half continues, with Rohl now sending on Gassama for Skov Olsen, the bulk of whom’s set-piece deliveries today have been very disappointing.
Rommens has also been booked for Rangers.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:22 , George Flood60 mins: Another Celtic change on the hour mark as Arthur makes way for Murray in defence.
They remain firmly under the cosh here.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:21 , George Flood59 mins: Trusty goes down after an incident with Chermiti as players from both sides pile in.
Replays show the Celtic defender went down very easily after Chermiti swiped his leg, trying to get to the ball.
All very silly.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:19 , George Flood57 mins: Still Rangers pour forward and Sterling’s looping cross from the right is plucked out of the air by Sinisalo.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:18 , George Flood55 mins: A painful collision there as Butland comes out to thwart Maeda. Both are fine to continue.
Celtic are making two early second-half changes here.
O’Neill replaces McCowan with Oxlade-Chamberlain in midfield and Tounekti makes way for Cvancara in attack.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:16 , George Flood54 mins: So close for Rangers!
Fernandez connects with the corner and it hits his own team-mate in Djiga.
Chermiti turns the rebound goalwards but I think it’s Tounekti who clears off the line.
A massive let-off for Celtic.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:13 , George Flood53 mins: As they did in the first half, Rangers are piling on the pressure at the start of the second period as Yang hacks behind for another corner after a cross is flicked on by Raskin.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:12 , George Flood52 mins: Rangers are back in the driving seat as Trusty twice denies Moore inside the Celtic box before a delivery to the back post is headed away by Arthur.
Another Skov Olsen corner is then easily cleared by Maeda at the front post.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:10 , George Flood49 mins: McCowan knocks the ball back for Arthur, who can’t control it and Sinisalo has to race out of his box to thwart the onrushing Chermiti.
Vital goalkeeping. Celtic continue to make too many errors in possession here.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:09 , George Flood48 mins: A typically frantic start to the second half as Sterling is clattered by Tounekti and a Rangers free-kick to the back post is nodded behind by Araujo ahead of Naderi.
Goal kick given.
Here come Celtic as Nygren plays in Maeda, who stumbles under pressure from Rommens.
No penalty.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
14:06 , George FloodDanny Rohl is reversing his midfield change for the second half at Ibrox.
Mohamed Diomande - on a yellow card since the opening minutes - is replaced by Tochi Chukwuani.
Back underway.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:57 , George FloodShould Rangers have had an early penalty after Youssef Chermiti’s shot hit the arm of Auston Trusty?
The Rangers players were convinced they should have had a penalty, but after a VAR review the referee waves play on 👀
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) March 8, 2026
"I think it's the correct decision" 🗣️#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/IGMgQws84b
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:56 , George FloodHere is the goal by Daizen Maeda that was ruled out for offside against Liam Scales...
Celtic thought Daizen Maeda had given them the lead at Ibrox, but the goal was overturned after a VAR review ❌
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) March 8, 2026
Liam Scales looks to have been just offside as he won the flick on 🍀#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/dzBKuz0VRp
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:52 , George FloodHalf-time
Goalless after a lively first half at a noisy Ibrox, where Daizen Maeda’s header for Celtic was ruled out for a fractional offside against Liam Scales.
Rangers dominated the first half an hour and had a huge penalty shout for handball against Auston Trusty waved away, but Celtic have made a real contest of it since.
All to play for after the break...
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:49 , George Flood46 mins: Into just the one minute of added time and Celtic don’t deal with a deep free-kick delivery into the box that is helped on by Naderi before Chermiti’s poked effort is parried wide by Sinisalo.
The offside flag is up.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:45 , George Flood42 mins: Sterling gets free down the Rangers right after Celtic give the ball away cheaply and his enticing cross is steered wide off the knee of Chermiti.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:42 , George Flood38 mins: A really open game this now as we enter the latter stages of the first half.
Djiga heads high and wide for Rangers at one end before Butland rushes out to make a crucial intervention at the other.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:39 , George Flood36 mins: NO GOAL!
The lines are drawn at VAR headquarters and it’s eventually ruled out for offside against Scales.
That looked very tight indeed.
A roar from the Rangers crowd. A huge reprieve for their side.
Goalless it remains...
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:38 , George Flood34 mins: Deadlock broken at Ibrox and the 7,500 travelling fans are ecstatic!
After his initial corner delivery is repelled by Fernandez after good work down the right by Araujo and Yang, McCowan’s cross is flicked on by Scales and headed in by a stooping Maeda, with Butland pushing the ball against the post and in.
But hang on, there is a VAR check for a potential offside...
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:33 , George Flood29 mins: Celtic have woken up at last and are now asking questions of this Rangers defence.
Tempers flare after an aerial clash between Araujo and Naderi.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:29 , George Flood27 mins: Better now from Celtic at last as Scales’ dangerous cross from the left almost reaches Yang, but is scrambled behind importantly by Djiga.
McCowan’s front-post delivery is met by Scales and eventually turned back behind by Fernandez.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:27 , George Flood25 mins: Finally some signs of life for Celtic on the break and Nygren is brought down by Moore, who is extremely fortunate to avoid a yellow card for that.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:27 , George Flood24 mins: Hatate gives up another corner as Celtic are forced onto the defensive once again.
Skov Olsen’s delivery from the right is headed clear by Scales at the front post.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:24 , George Flood21 mins: It feels like just a matter of time before Celtic go behind here.
Stand-in captain Scales is beaten down the Rangers right by Sterling and takes him down. Yellow card.
A wicked free-kick delivery into the box is then missed by the heads of Chermiti and Fernandez.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:22 , George Flood20 mins: Celtic are rather clinging on at the moment as Chermiti looks to be through, is just about contained and then has a shot blocked after good work from Moore to keep the pressure on.
Moore also has an effort well blocked.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:19 , George Flood17 mins: Maeda and Hatate are doing their best to drag and keep Celtic up the pitch after Rangers’ early pressure.
Yang gives away a needless free-kick by barging Tottenham loanee Moore in the back.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:16 , George Flood14 mins: Skov Olsen tries to pick out Moore with a cross after Celtic’s shaky backline is breached again, but Hatate crucially heads behind.
Celtic just cannot keep the ball in midfield at the moment.
The corner delivery is seen away by Nygren.
Celtic need an out ball.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:15 , George Flood10 mins: Rangers fans want a booking for Araujo’s challenge on Fernandez, but they don’t get it.
Celtic continue to soak up a lot of pressure during these opening exchanges.
Skov Olsen and Moore are early threats down the flanks for Rangers.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:10 , George Flood7 mins: Moore drives into the box for Rangers and Chermiti’s instinctive shot crashes into the hand of Trusty.
The hosts scream for a penalty, but it’s not given.
Checked and cleared by VAR- Trusty’s arm was tucked in enough.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:08 , George Flood6 mins: Celtic are caught in possession and Chermiti falls on the edge of the box as he looks to let fly with an effort.
Replays show there was no contact.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:06 , George Flood4 mins: Rangers start on the front foot, as they did last weekend, but a deep cross to the back post is put well wide by Rommens on the slide.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic
13:04 , George Flood2 mins: A typically combative start to the derby and Diomande has been booked already for a poor challenge on Maeda.
A long time for him to be on a booking in that Rangers engine room.
The referee has set his stall out early here.
Rangers vs Celtic
13:03 , George FloodHere we go!
Referee Don Robertson gets us off and running at a deafening Ibrox.
Andrew Dallas is leading the VAR team.
Teams are out
12:58 , George FloodThe usual strong tifo game in the Copland Stand ahead of kick-off at Ibrox.
The atmosphere is absolutely incredible with streamers flying down in a packed-out away end.
This is going to be an absolute belter.
Here come the players as ‘Simply the Best’ rings out around the ground.
Kick-off approaching
12:50 , George FloodFinal preparations at Ibrox, where those 7,500 Celtic fans are already making themselves heard as they take up the entire Broomloan Stand.
We should be in for a cracking atmosphere this afternoon.
Falkirk and Dunfermline already into semi-finals
12:41 , George FloodCeltic are the record 42-time winners of the Scottish Cup and had won it in successive years before being stunned on penalties by Aberdeen in last season’s final.
The last of Rangers’ 34 wins was in 2022. They last made the final in 2024, when they lost 1-0 to Celtic.
Woeful Aberdeen were toppled 3-0 by second-tier Dunfermline in the quarter-finals yesterday, while Falkirk beat Dundee United 2-1 on Friday night.
League Cup holders St Mirren host Championship side Partick Thistle tonight.
O'Neill explains McGregor absence for Celtic
12:23 , George FloodMartin O’Neill has explained the surprise absence of Callum McGregor during a pre-match interview with BBC Scotland.
McGregor, along with Kieran Tierney, is with the Celtic squad at Ibrox but will play no part this afternoon.
"Yes it is (an injury),” O’Neill said. “He was feeling pretty sore by the end of the Aberdeen game and he's just not recovered in time.
"It's a big blow. It's a blow to us. He's the captain in every aspect of it, both a leader in the dressing room and on the field. He'll be a big miss for us.
"You have to accept it. Things like this happen in football and you've got to get on with it."
On no Kasper Schmeichel again, O’Neill added: "Recovery yes, from the injection as well too, so I just thought we'd give it a little bit more time.”
No McGregor as Celtic show five changes for Ibrox return
12:13 , George FloodThe Celtic team shows five changes from last weekend’s dramatic draw.
Auston Trusty is back from suspension and joins Benjamin Arthur in returning to the defence, with Liam Scales seemingly shifting to left-back with no Kieran Tierney.
Luke McCowan and Reo Hatate come into midfield and Sebastian Tounekti is preferred to Junior Adamu in attack, with Daizen Maeda playing centrally up top.
No Callum McGregor is a huge shock blow for Celtic as their influential captain misses out through injury, with Scales taking the armband.
Trusty, Benjamin Nygren and Maeda for Tierney, McGregor and Tomas Cvancara are the changes from the midweek trip to Aberdeen, where Nygren came off the bench to net the winner.
Joel Mvuka is on the Celtic bench along with Paulo Bernardo and Dane Murray, but there’s no Junior Adamu, Kelechi Iheanacho or Michel-Ange Balikwisha.
Still no Kasper Schmeichel as Viljami Sinisalo starts in goal again, backed up by Ross Doohan.
Two Rangers changes as Djiga and Diomande come in
11:59 , George FloodDanny Rohl makes two changes to his Rangers team from the last Old Firm derby.
John Souttar makes way for Nasser Djiga at centre-back and Mohamed Diomande replaces Tochi Chukwuani in midfield.
Jack Butland is named as captain with James Tavernier and Souttar both on the bench.
No Connor Barron or Derek Cornelius in the squad just yet.
Celtic team
11:53 , George FloodCeltic XI: Sinisalo, Araujo, Arthur, Trusty, Scales, Hatate, McCowan, Nygren, Yang, Tounekti, Maeda
Subs: Doohan, Cvancara, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Bernardo, Mvuka, Saracchi, Murray, Forrest, Donovan
Rangers team
11:50 , George FloodRangers XI: Butland, Sterling, Djiga, Fernandez, Rommens, Raskin, Diomande, Skov Olsen, Moore, Naderi, Chermiti
Subs: Kelly, Meghoma, Souttar, Tavernier, Chukwuani, Bajrami, Gassama, Aasgaard, Miovski
Rohl: Rangers have 'belief' and 'trust' ahead of Celtic clash
11:47 , George FloodDanny Rohl said on Friday that Rangers had a balanced debrief on last weekend’s derby disappointment and go into today’s cup showdown with “belief and trust” that they can progress.
"We spoke about the good things, we spoke about the things we have to improve,” he said.
"The last training session was good, especially yesterday. Good intensity, good mindset, very focused.
"Today we work on some details again and then we have one more session and then we go with the belief, we go with the trust. I think this is very crucial, especially the 50 minutes.
"You know better than me. I don't know when was the last time Rangers dominated Celtic like this in the first 50 minutes.
"I think this is the focus where we are and what we want to do over 90 minutes, of course, or 95 and if it's necessary over 120 minutes. I think this is crucial.
"We are still in a (title) race. Of course, we are disappointed after this late equaliser.
“We know that we have to improve, especially in the second half, but we know as well we had a big chance for 3-0 and we would not speak about this today.
"But football is football. It's about decision-making, it's about focus, what we can influence.
"I see a group who is really ready to go again and also the belief that we can beat them."
This season's Old Firm derby story so far
11:39 , George FloodThis is not the first time Rangers and Celtic have met in a high-stakes cup match this season of course.
They also clashed in the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup back in early November, when Celtic won 3-1 thanks to extra-time goals from Callum McGregor and Callum Osmand, after Johnny Kenny’s opener had been cancelled out by James Tavernier’s late penalty and Thelo Aasgaard was sent off.
That was Martin O’Neill’s first Old Firm derby for more than 20 years in his first interim stint back at the club this term, but they would go on to lose the final to St Mirren.
The Glasgow rivals played out a rare bore goalless draw with Russell Martin and Brendan Rodgers in the dugouts back in August, before Danny Rohl’s resurgent Rangers won 3-1 at Celtic Park in January - against a team managed by Wilfried Nancy - with Youssef Chermiti at the double, as he was in last weekend’s thrilling 2-2 draw.
Celtic have not won at Ibrox since September 2023.
Rohl backs Rangers to silence large Celtic support
11:25 , George FloodRangers boss Danny Rohl concedes the large travelling support will have an impact, though believes his side will silence them if they play like they did in the first half last weekend, when Celtic were blown away and lucky to only be trailing 2-0.
"Of course it will have an impact. If we play 50 minutes like we did then the 7,500 will also be quiet,” Rohl said.
"We can influence, we can make the impact on our performance on the pitch.
"The atmosphere was incredible at 50 minutes, really incredible. It was amazing to feel this. We pushed our players forward, forward.
"Then it comes to 2-1 and you feel it in the stadium as well. But this is also part of the game.
"Maybe we can do it together and we come through these small minutes where you feel the opponent comes better into the game.
"But the 50 minutes was really, really outstanding. I really enjoyed being on the touchline in such a game."
7,500 Celtic fans set for Ibrox trip in Scottish Cup
11:15 , George FloodWith larger away followings now back for Old Firm derbies, Celtic’s dramatic second-half comeback against Rangers was cheered by just over 2,000 travelling fans last weekend.
However, Scottish Cup rules on allocations, which state that an away club should be entitled to 20 per cent, means that some 7,500 will be packed inside the Broomloan Road stand this afternoon.
Such numbers of Celtic supporters have have not been seen at Ibrox since 2018, with the Hoops believed to have provided assurances that the offer will be reciprocated in future.
How big an impact could they have today?
Rangers vs Celtic prediction
11:07 , George FloodLast weekend was everything you expect from the Old Firm derby, and why it is such a must-watch fixture almost every time.
You’d hope this iteration will be no different as both teams look to the cup to try and strike a key psychological blow in the title race, though Martin O’Neill will be demanding a far better start from his team at Ibrox after their wretched opening last time around as they trailed 2-0 inside just 26 minutes - and it could have been much worse.
Keeping Youssef Chermiti quiet will be instrumental to their hopes after he made it eight goals in his last four games against Celtic and Hearts - Kilmarnock are the only other team he has scored against so far this season.
Danny Rohl, meanwhile, will be desperate to ensure his team maintain their intensity levels across the full 90 minutes this time after they failed to prevent Celtic’s dramatic comeback in a nervy second half.
We expect another high-octane, entertaining draw that will necessitate more extra time and possibly even the lottery of penalties.
Rangers to win 3-2, after extra time.
Celtic team news
11:04 , George FloodNo such injury luck for Celtic, who remain without Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand and Arne Engels, as well as long-term absentees Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota.
Kieran Tierney has scored in back-to-back games against Rangers and Aberdeen, though was forced off with a foot injury during the hard-fought 2-1 win at Pittodrie in midweek - Celtic’s game in hand that saw them leapfrog Rangers into second place in the Scottish Premiership.
Kasper Schmeichel was back in training on Friday after illness and an injection to help a long-standing shoulder issue, though it remains to be seen if he will be involved today with Viljami Sinisalo having started in goal in the last three matches.
Martin O’Neill said that Tierney and Schmeichel would both be assessed on Saturday.
Marcelo Saracchi is now back fit and Julian Araujo has played the last two games after being rested for the Europa League knockout play-off round second-leg win over Stuttgart.
However, Kelechi Iheanacho was left out again in midweek and both Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Joel Mvuka were also similarly omitted once more.
Rangers team news
10:57 , George FloodRangers boss Danny Rohl reported a “full house” in training this week, meaning midfielder Connor Barron could be in contention to return from a knee injury that has kept him out of action since early January.
Marseille loanee Derek Cornelius also continues to build up his fitness following surgery on a significant muscle injury back in November.
Dujon Sterling and Ryan Naderi both shook off knocks to start against Celtic last weekend.
How to watch Rangers vs Celtic
10:53 , George FloodTV channel: The latest Old Firm derby will be broadcast live in the UK on Premier Sports. Coverage begins at 12pm GMT on Premier Sports 1.
Live stream: Premier Sports subscribers can also watch the game live online via the Premier Sports app and website, with the channel available as an add-on via Sky, Virgin, STV Player and Amazon Prime.
Rangers vs Celtic live
10:48 , George FloodGood morning and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Rangers vs Celtic.
A week on from their dramatic 2-2 draw in the Scottish Premiership, the Old Firm derby quickly returns to Ibrox for a huge showdown in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.
Kick-off in Glasgow is at 1pm GMT, so stay tuned for match build-up, breaking team news and live game updates.
As ever, this won’t be dull...
