It’s just over three years since Celtic and Rangers last met in the League Cup final at Hampden and they’ll do battle in Glasgow’s south side again for the same trophy this weekend.
It’s now called the Viaplay Cup, but it remains the first piece of silverware available to win during the campaign. It might be seen as the least important of the three up for grabs, but it’s importance shouldn’t be underplayed on Sunday. Ange Postecoglou kicked off his Celtic success by winning against Hibs last year, while Michael Beale has the opportunity to claim his first honour, not just as Ibrox boss, but his first as a manager in his own right after helping Steven Gerrard to the Premiership title in 2021. Beale was on the Light Blues’ bench in 2019 when they somehow managed not to win the Old Firm showdown. Rangers dominated their rivals but couldn’t find the net, even against ten men.
A mad four minutes saw Christopher Jullien put the Hoops in front on the hour mark with a controversial winner - the Frenchman was later shown to be in an offside position - before Jeremie Frimpong saw red after conceding a spot kick three minutes later. Alfredo Morelos stepped up, but saw his spot-kick saved by Fraser Forster, who was inspired on the afternoon as Neil Lennon's men held on to claim the bragging rights and the silverware. It was a sore one for the blue half of the city, who were left wondering what might and perhaps should have been.
Now Beale is back at Hampden to lend an even more familiar look to Rangers. Incredibly, ten of the starting XI that day are still at the club. By contrast, all but two of that victorious Celtic team have moved on. Postecoglou has rung the changes after taking over from Lennon, and it’s brought the trophies back to Parkhead, Record Sport looks at the who’s getting another chance and who’s long gone ahead of the showpiece occasion.
Celtic
Fraser Forster
The big keeper was Man of the Match after almost single-handedly keeping Rangers out. His penalty save from Morelos was just one of several that broke Gers hearts. His loan spell from Southampton ended the following summer and the towering Gerodie returned to the south coast. Now with Tottenham and enjoying a run in the first team due to Hugo Lloris’ injury.
Jeremie Frimpong
The young defender ran the risk of becoming the villain of the piece when he was sent off just three minutes after Jullien had headed the opening goal. The Dutchman bundled Morelos in front of goal, denying a clear scoring opportunity and was given has marching orders by Willie Collum. He had Forster to thank for sparing his blushes, who denied the Columbian and preserved his team’s clean sheet. Frimpong joined Bayer Leverkusen just over a year later in an £11.5million deal.
Christopher Jullien
The matchwinner didn’t know it at the time, but this was the highpoint of his Celtic career. Just over a year later, the french centre back suffered a serious knee injury that kept him out for over 400 days.
By the time he returned, a new centre back pairing was well established under Postecoglou and Jullien left last August to join Montpellier. He;s since admitted that he found the Aussie coach “distant.”
Kristoffer Ajer
Less than a year after this Hampden triumph, Ajer scored the decisive penalty in another as Celtic survived a spirited Hearts comeback to win on penalties in the 2020 Scottish Cup final after a 3-3 draw following extra-time. Ajer slammed home the winning spot kick, but left the following summer just as Postecoglou was arriving, joining Brentford for £15million.
Jonny Hayes
Something of an auxiliary left back for Celtic, Hayes certainly had his fair share of defending to do against Rangers that afternoon. Returned to previous club Aberdeen the summer after the final and the 35-year-old is still a bug part of the Pittodrie squad.
Scott Brown
One of the most decorated Celtic players of all time, Brown lived for cup finals. Brought a glittering Hoops career to an end in the summer of 2021 to join Aberdeen as a player-coach under Stephen Glass.
That didn't work out though, and Brown left after Glass was sacked and Jim Goodwin took over. Decided to hang his boots up completely and is now midway through his first season as a manager, in charge of Fleetwood Town.
Callum McGregor
One of two Celtic stars still at the club from the XI that started this final. McGregor has been through it all with his boyhood club and has since taken over the captain’s mantle from Scott Brown following his departure to Aberdeen. Postecoglou’s main man, the Scotland international has just kept adding to his collection of winners' medals and knows exactly what it takes to get the job done on these occasions.
James Forrest
The only starter still at Celtic along with McGregor. Forrest’s role has been reduced over the last couple of years under Ange Postecoglou, but remains very much part of the group. Reached two major landmarks this season, scoring his 100th goal for the club thanks to a hat-trick in a convincing win over Hibs, before achieving a century of assists in green and white three months later, joining an exclusive club including Henrik Larsson and Jimmy Johnstone.
Ryan Christie
The attacking midfielder left shortly after Postecoglou took the top job. With just a few months left on his deal, Christie was moved on to get some cash in for the Highlander. He joined Bournemouth and helped them to promotion to the Premier League, and is now in the process of trying to keep the Cherries in the English top flight.
Moi Elyounoussi
The Norwegian was a popular loanee from Southampton. So much so that he was back for another season the following campaign, but that did not end well as Celtic failed to clinch an historic tenth Premiership title ina row. Is still with Soutmapton, who are facing a big ask in preserving their Premier League status.
Lewis Morgan
It was needs must up front for Celtic with Odsonne Edouard still nursing an injury, so Morgan was given the nod to lead the line in a rare start. The following month, he was gone after Celtic accepted an offer from MLS side and David Backham-owned Inter Miami. Morgan thrived across the pond, and was treated to New York red Bulls in December 2021, signing a new three-year deal with them last month.
Subs
Nir Bitton
Played a further two years at Cettic before leaving last summer with a year still left to run on his contract. Returned to his homeland of israel with maccabi tel Aviv
Mikey Johnston
Still a Celtic player, but could be approaching the end of his time at the club. Injuries have hampered his progress and quest for regular playing time. Joined Vitoria Guimaraes in August on a season-long loan after penning a one-year contract extension with the Hoops. However, given their incoming transfers since, may be one that moves on at the end of the season.
Odsonne Edouard
Was only fit enough to appear from the bench in the final. Entered the final year of his contract when Postecoglou was appointed so was moved on to Crystal Palace on deadline day in August 2021.
Rangers
Allan McGregor
The veteran keeper surprised many when he agreed a one-year extension last summer. Didn’t start last season’s Scottish Cup final win over Hearts, but was brought on for what seemed to be his Rangers swansong in extra-time.
Finds himself still playing, but Michael Beale is sticking to his keeper rotation policy between Mcgregor and Jon McLaughlin. Started the semi-final against Aberdeen so is likely to be between the sticks at Hampden.
James Tavernier
The skipper is hoping to lift his third major trophy in Light Blue. Was last week inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame and will be desperate to follow it up with a League Cup winners medal after the pain of 2019.
Connor Goldson
Another who looked destined to leave Ibrox last summer with his contract just days from running out. Was widely expected to return to England on a free transfer before the shock announcement that the defender had put pen to paper on a bumper four-year deal.Has struck up a good understanding with new recruit Ben Davies and a stalwart of the gers backline.
Filip Helander
The Swede hasn’t been seen this season due to injury. With his contract up in the summer and Davies and John Souttar seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order, this could be his final few months in Glasgow after being a key part of the team that stopped 10-in-a-row under Steven Gerrard.
Borna Barisic
The Croatian left back seems to go through peaks and troughs. His form was criticised heavily last season and for spells in this, but has reclaimed his regular spot on the left-hand side of defence and looks to be getting back to his best form. A big source of ammunition thanks to his wicked delivery from the left, could be a key player on Sunday.
Glen Kamara
Wasn’t an automatic pick under Gio van Bronckhorst and while Beale is a big fan, hasn’t automatically found himself back in as a first choice in the engine room. Was heavily linked with a switch to France in the summer, although transfer talk seems to have cooled since Beale’s return to the club, with the manager rating him higher than the perceived level of the clubs chasing him.
Ryan Jack
Another long-serving player who’s deal is up in the summer. Jack admits he’s yet to hear from Rangers over the prospect of extending his stay, although is keen to do so.
Came up with an important leveller against former club Aberdeen in the semi-final and is likely to start against Celtic. Was in tears after the 2019 defeat.
Joe Aribo
The only Rangers starter from the final who is no longer with the club. A contract clause meant Southampton to snap him up for just £8million, which could rise to £10million. However, the Nigerian found himself frozen out under Nathan Jones, although the Welshman’s sacking could mean he’s back in the fold under whoever the Saints appoint to try and guide them to safety this season.
Scott Arfield
Has proved himself the man for the big occasion, if not always from the start. Netted the equaliser in last season’s Scottish Cup semi win over Celtic at Hampden before penning a one-year contract extension. Served a timely reminder of his importance with a dramatic late double to snatch three points at Pittodrie earlier this season, but may have to make do with a place on the bench this weekend.
Ryan Kent
Beale is a big fan of the Scouser but his appointment hasn’t yet convinced the former Liveprool man to sign a new contract. Will leave on a free in the summer as things stand and while Beale still holds out hope, admits he understands if Kent wants to move on and will wish him well if he does. Will demand a big display at Hampden from one of his main creative forces first, however.
Alfredo Morelos
Should have changed the course of the final when presented with the chance to score from the spot. But his failure inspired Celtic to go on to victory and haunted the Rangers fans watching on helplessly.
Another who appears to be running his contract down, although his scoring record against celtic has improved since the final after previously never scoring in a derby. Will likely get the nod ahead of Antonio Colak at Hampden.
Subs
Jermain Defoe
Defoe was almost a year into an 18-month loan at Ibrox and the following month, signed a pre-contract to make his move from Bournemouth permanent. Penned a one-year extension in summer 2021 that saw him become a player-coach and was part of a four-man caretaker team put in charge after Steven Gerrard’s departure. Van Bronckhorst’s appointment, then left in January 2022 to rejoin Sunderland before retiring.
Nikola Katic
The Croatian defender had to sit on the sidelines for a long time due to rupturing his cruciate knee ligament in June 2020. A loan to Hajduk Split allowed him to return to fitness before a deadline day switch to FC Zurich this season.
Brandon Barker
Barker was only a few months into a three-year deal at Ibrox by the time of the final. However, was loaned to Oxford United in January 2021 before signing a short-term deal with Reading following his release by Rangers in early 2022. Former boss at Hibs Neil Lennon reunited with Barker at Omonia Nicosia this season, and the 26-year-old is still in Cyprus despite Lennon's sacking last year.
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