Match Highlights and Key Moments
38 min: Maeda uses his speed to break through on goal, but Butland anticipates well and claims the ball just ahead of the forward.
37 min: Nasser Djiga heads just wide as Celtic seek to extend their lead.
VAR Decision: Maeda's Header Disallowed
McCowan delivers a cross, Scales flicks it on, and Maeda executes a diving header at close range. VAR reviews the play for offside and other factors.
The goal is disallowed as Liam Scales was marginally offside when he assisted Maeda. The decision was very close.
Game Progress and Tactical Play
32 min: Diomande falls outside the Celtic area but no free-kick is awarded. Celtic press forward; Yang holds the ball in Rangers’ box but Rommens clears for a corner.
30 min: The match has been played at a rapid pace, though clear goal-scoring opportunities remain scarce. Maeda persistently pressures Butland, who manages to clear the ball under pressure.
28 min: Celtic earn a second corner. McCowan’s improved cross is cleared again. Rangers regain possession and attempt a counterattack, but Tounekti recovers the ball for Celtic. The game sees end-to-end action.
27 min: Scales delivers a cross targeting Maeda, but Djiga deflects it out for a corner.
25 min: From a corner, Skov Olsen swings the ball in; Scales clears decisively. Nygren attempts a break but is fouled by Mikey Moore, who avoids a yellow card.
23 min: Celtic maintain possession with controlled passing, featuring Tounekti on the left flank. Rangers soon regain possession.
21 min: Liam Scales receives a yellow card for a clumsy challenge. Moore takes the resulting free-kick from the left, but it is too high for Fernandez and Chermiti.
19 min: Moore delivers a dangerous cross into the box, but Trusty manages to clear under pressure. Rangers appear more threatening at this stage.
18 min: The match becomes scrappy, with neither side establishing consistent passing sequences. Scales contributes with several challenges to disrupt Rangers’ play.
15 min: Celtic attempt to penetrate centrally, but Nygren is outnumbered. Rangers regain possession, though Scales quickly recovers the ball for Celtic.
13 min: Maeda challenges Djiga on the wing but the defender prevails. Rangers probe for openings; Hatate clears a ball for a corner. Celtic struggle to retain possession.
11 min: Raskin’s through ball is slightly overhit for Chermiti, who is a key attacking outlet for Rangers.
9 min: The pace is intense, with Rangers having the better early chances. Celtic are coping better than in their previous encounter.
6 min: Chermiti’s shot strikes Auston Trusty’s arm inside the box. Players appeal for a penalty, but the referee does not award one. VAR reviews the incident and determines Trusty’s arm was close to his body and the shot was too close for a deliberate handball.
4 min: Chermiti finds a chance but is quickly closed down by Celtic’s defense. He appears to be in some discomfort after the challenge but no foul is given. Rangers continue to apply pressure.
3 min: The first attacking move sees Tuur Rommens unable to keep the ball in play following a crossfield pass.
2 min: Mohamed Diomande receives an early yellow card for a tough tackle. The home crowd reacts negatively.
The match begins with Celtic in possession following the referee’s whistle. The atmosphere at Ibrox is electric, with Tina Turner’s "The Best" playing and Chris Eubank Sr. entering the pitch alongside Celtic players. The stands are filled with flags and flares.
Pre-Match Commentary and Fan Perspectives
Leeds fan Jeremy Boyce expresses enthusiasm for the match, predicting a 3-2 victory for Rangers. He praises Chris Eubank Sr. as a deep thinker and former Leeds player, noting the club’s tough reputation during his tenure.
Simon McMahon, supporting Dundee United, reflects on their recent Scottish Cup exit and expresses hope for an exciting, high-intensity match at Ibrox with numerous goals and disciplinary actions.
Managerial Insights
Rangers manager Danny Röhl comments on team changes and preparations:
"Nasser [Djiga] comes in, he’s trained really well and he deserves to play. We defend as a group. It’s not about a single person … We’ve spoken on the good things [from the 2-2 draw with Celtic], what the opponent did, how we have to adjust. We are ready. We built up our energy, we trained outstandingly."
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill discusses Callum McGregor’s absence:
"It is [an injury]. He was feeling pretty sore by the end of the Aberdeen game and he’s just not recovered in time. It’s a blow for us. He’s a captain in every aspect of it. Both a leader in the dressing room and on the field and he’ll be a big miss for us. Things like this happen in football and you’ve got to get on with it."
O’Neill indicates the injury is not long-term, possibly similar to McGregor’s previous Achilles issue.
Atmosphere and Support
With 25 minutes remaining before kick-off, Ibrox is filling rapidly. Celtic’s allocation of approximately 7,500 tickets represents their largest away support at an Old Firm fixture in eight years, promising a vibrant atmosphere.
Key Players to Watch
Benjamin Nygren is Celtic’s leading goal threat this season, while Youssef Chermiti, Rangers’ top scorer, has recently impressed with eight goals in his last four matches against Celtic and Hearts, including a notable overhead kick last weekend.
Nygren reflects on the previous match against Rangers:
"It wasn’t a great first half, but I think it was a very good second half, so we need to build from that."
Rangers dominated early in the last encounter but faded later. The challenge for Rangers is maintaining intensity throughout, while Celtic must avoid relinquishing control as they did previously.
Managerial Previews
Martin O’Neill on the importance of the previous match:
"I don’t think it [Sunday’s game] would have a serious bearing on the title, but in terms of confidence building, of course, those things always matter."
Danny Röhl on the team’s mindset heading into the cup tie:
"We spoke about the good things, we spoke about the things we have to improve. We go with the belief, we go with the trust. I think this is very crucial, especially the 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."
Team News and Lineups
Celtic will be without Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney due to injury. Tierney sustained an injury against Aberdeen and has not recovered in time. McGregor’s absence is significant given his leadership role.
Rangers make two changes from their last Old Firm match, with Chukwuani and Souttar dropping out of the starting lineup.
Rangers Starting XI: Butland, Sterling, Djiga, Fernandez, Rommens, Raskin, Diomande, Skov Olsen, Moore, Naderi, Chermiti.
Subs: Kelly, Meghoma, Souttar, Tavernier, Chukwuani, Bajrami, Gassama, Asgaard, Miovski.
Celtic Starting XI: Sinisalo, Araujo, Scales, Trusty, Arthur, Nygren, McCowan, Tounekti, Yang, Hatate, Maeda.
Subs: Doohan, Donovan, Murray, Saracchi, Bernardo, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mvuka, Cvancara, Forrest.
Officials: Referee: Don Robertson; VAR: Andrew Dallas.
Context and Stakes
The Rangers versus Celtic Scottish Cup quarter-final is a significant fixture for both clubs. With Hearts leading the Premiership, this cup tie may represent the best opportunity for either side to secure silverware this season.
The teams are closely matched this season, having drawn twice, including an exciting 2-2, and each securing a 3-1 victory. They are separated by only one league point, with Celtic second and Rangers third.
Rangers have had a full week to prepare, while Celtic played midweek, winning 2-1 at Aberdeen. The substantial away support for Celtic is expected to contribute to a lively atmosphere at Ibrox.
The winner will join Falkirk and Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup semi-finals. Kick-off is scheduled for 1pm GMT.
