Celtic v Rangers – The League Cup Final’s KEY Areas
With the biggest sporting fixture in UK sports mere hours away, we look at the key battles across the park in today’s League Cup Final. The Maeda Problem In what is arguably Phillipe Clement’s biggest headache ahead of today’s fixture is who he starts at right back. Daizen Maeda has tortured Rangers captain James Tavernier in past fixtures constantly. The Japanese star is constantly looked to in this fixture, with Tavernier seemingly unable to cope with Maeda’s electrifying pace. Tavernier had been dropped by Clement in weeks prior, Sterling had been given the nod, and it had seemed that the Rangers legend was maybe on his way out of the club. An injury to Sterling has changed all that however, Tavernier has come back into the side, and his form has skyrocketed. The captain has been chipping in with goals and assists and was excellent in the Europa League on Thursday night against Tottenham. I argue this is largely irrelevant. Tavernier has been in good form going into an Old Firm before, but the result always ends the same. He has consistently not fared well against Maeda. It is not just on the ball but off it, too. Tavernier likes time and likes to see a pass, Maeda gives him none of that. He is key to the Celtic press, and he does not give Tavernier a moment to be effective. It was Maeda who nicked the ball off Tavernier at Ibrox to help fire Celtic into an early lead. In my opinion, this is Clements’s biggest selection choice today. I believe he should be bold and start Sterling. Celtic will likely have most of the ball. Rangers need a solid shape out of possession, and Sterling should give them that. He is less attacking than Tavernier, who lets the attack worry about creating chances. However, when push comes to shove, I predict that Clement will stick with and put his faith in his captain. Prediction – Tavernier starts. Battle for the midfield Rangers are coming into this game largely as the underdogs, but if they can nullify the influence of Callum McGregor in the middle of the park, they give themselves every chance. Everything Celtic do comes through their captain. He picks the ball up in midfield, controls the tempo, and keeps the game ticking over with little five-yard passes that just moves the opposition around. Players have tried to press him in the past, but he knocks it around them and splits the lines into the midfield, with Hatate always looking to be an option. In past Old Firm games, Rangers have been unable to deal with the experienced midfielders’ influence in this fixture. Nicolas Raskin has been outstanding in recent games, and his performance on Thursday was the exact type Rangers will need if they’re to stop McGregor from inserting his influence. Raskin has had serious questions asked about his fitness for the majority of his time at the club. His ability has never been doubted, but his fitness issues have been a concern to supporters. On Thursday, he showed what Rangers fans expected of the Belgian, his intensity and work rate got the better of Premier League operators James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur. I would expect Rangers to set up similar to how they did against Spurs, with the same midfield two of Raskin and Diomande. This game is far too soon for Connor Barron; he is yet to show me anything he is worthy of a Rangers jersey personally. But I expect McGregor to lean on his experience and know-how in this fixture. I expect a frantic opening few minutes, and then McGregor will slowly drop five yards, start picking up the ball off the centre-backs and just slowly start dictating the play. For me, it is key that Rangers only let him play it side to side or backwards, they cannot allow Hatate or company time and space to turn and face the Rangers goal. If they can cut off McGregor’s passing lanes, they have a chance. Rejuvenated Rangers attack or CCV & Trusty excellence Hamza Igamane has been a revolution in the Rangers attack in recent weeks. His goals and work rate have been key in the Rangers uptick in form, now in pole position to overcome Aberdeen in second place. Alongside him, Vaclav Cerny put in a superb performance against Spurs on Thursday as he has started to replicate some of the form that was expected of him when he joined in the summer. Rangers have been a lot more free-flowing in recent weeks, with Clement seemingly finally finding a system that has unlocked the attacking talent at Ranger’s disposal. Dessers days seem to be numbered; he has only been making substitute appearances in recent weeks, with Clement opting for Danilo or Igamane through the middle. It would be harsh on Danilo to be dropped after his performances in recent weeks, but after the effective work of Jefte and Yilmaz on Thursday, it is now out of the question that Igamane starts today through the middle. In Celtic’s defence, however, they come up against Cameron Carter-Vickers and presumably Auston Trusty. The centre-back pairing has been key in Celtic’s defensive dominance this season, with Carter-Vickers by far and away the best centre-back in the league. Alistair Johnston is the one with a question mark hanging over his head. Taken off on Tuesday at half-time, it remains to be seen whether he is fit enough to start today. Arguably the best fullback in the league, he is one of the first names on the team sheet for Celtic. If he isn’t, Anthony Ralston is the natural replacement, and Rangers will have to hope their wingers can get more joy out of him and Greg Taylor than CCV or Trusty. Borussia Dortmund are effectively the only team to get the better of this defence, knocking seven past Celtic in Germany. Rangers will need to be at their very best if they hope to trouble
Chaos in Perth as St Mirren Snatch Dramatic Late Win
A 99th minute penalty from Roland Idowu sees St Mirren run out 3-2 winners at McDiarmid Park as they climb into the top 6. St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson made two changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Motherwell last weekend. Alex Iacovitti returned from a long spell on the sidelines, replacing the suspended Alex Gogic and Mikael Mandron started ahead of Toyosi Olusanya at the focal point of the Buddies’ attack. St Johnstone also made 2 changes with Croatian defender Bozo Mikulic replacing Kyle Cameron in the heart of the Perth sides’ defence and Adama Sidibeh came in for Sven Sprangler. In a half where clear cut chances were few and far between, the deadlock was broken after 10 minutes by the visitors. A well-timed pass by Mandron found Killian Phillips in acres of space and the Irishman calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net putting his side in front. The away side continued to pile on the pressure, utilising the wide areas and smart, interchanging runs from Greg Kiltie and Conor McMenamin caused the home side issues. An expert pass from McMenamin found Kiltie in the box but the Saints number 11 couldn’t get the ball under control in what would have been almost a certain 2nd goal. Up the other end, Ellery Balcombe gathered 2 trickling shots from Sidibeh as the home side became more threatening in the closing stages as the half fizzled out. Half Time: St Johnstone 1-0 St Mirren St Johnstone came out firing in the second half and dominated the opening stages. Benjamin Kimpioka was a thorn in the side of the St Mirren defence, effortlessly gliding through their back line and linking up well with Sidibeh but it was Mackenzie Kirk who squeezed the ball past Balcombe from a tight angle to level the game for the hosts. Trouble would hit St Mirren as ever-present centre back Richard Taylor had to be stretched off, in what they hope will be less severe than it looked. Stephen Robinson would turn to his bench and introduce youngster Luke Kenny to the fold. The Saintees continued to pile on the pressure and the visitors would have Kenny to thank to keep Sidibeh at bay. The pacy striker went racing through after a mix up from Marcus Fraser and Alex Iacovitti but the St Mirren academy product stood firm and made an important interception in his box. The away side looked to their bench to try and turn the tide of the game. Toyosi Olusanya, Declan John and Roland Idowu entered the game with immediate effect. Olusanya let the ball run through to John who crossed the ball and Phillips flashed his effort over the crossbar. With 10 minutes to go, Kimpioka used his trickery to ease past Bwomono. He played a pass to Drey Wright before receiving the return and firing his side ahead. The game looked dead and buried for St Mirren but highly rated 17 year old Evan Mooney had other ideas. Phillips looked to be taken out by Rae in the St Johnstone goal but Mooney was first to react at smashed the ball into the back of the net with 2 minutes left to play. His first professional goal breathed much needed life into the Buddies who went searching for a winner. Olusanya’s effort forced an excellent save from Josh Rae. St Johnstone had a chance of their own, Nicky Clark heading over the bar with a chance he ought to have done better. 7 minutes of added time followed. Roland Idowu danced and weaved through the St Johnstone low block and his shot hit the hand of Drey Wright and after a lengthy VAR check a penalty was awarded. St Mirren captain Mark O’Hara stepped up but after a stuttered run up his penalty was saved, yet again. Elation in the home end was short lived though as the penalty was ordered to be retaken with the St Johnstone stopper coming off his line. This time, Idowu took the ball and put it straight down the middle, snatching the game at the death. St Johnstone look ahead to a tough trip to Tynecastle next weekend meanwhile the Buddies make the long trip north to Dingwall to face Ross County. Full Time: St Johnstone 3-2 St Mirren Teams: St Mirren– Balcombe (GK), Fraser, Iacovitti, Taylor (Kenny, 64”), Tanser (John, 64”), Bwomono, O’Hara (C), Phillips, Kiltie (Mooney, 80”), McMenamin (Idowu, 69”), Mandron (Olusanya, 69”) St Johnstone– Rae (GK), Mikulic, Sanders, Neilson (Keltjens, 46”), Holt, Clark (C), Wright, Sidibeh, Smith, Kirk, Kimpioka
Hibs move eighth with win as County give up two penalties in two minutes
Venue: Easter Road Date: 14/12/24 Time: 15:00 Ross County were the architects of their own downfall as they gave Hibernian a second opportunity from the spot following Nicky Cadden’s saved effort, Elie Youan making not mistake this time to help his side to three points. The result means Hibs take a massive leap up the table to eigth, leapfrogging Don Cowie’s side in the process. Elijah Campbell’s quick thinking opened the scoring for the visitors after Scott Allardice’s header hit the post just three minutes in. Hibs responded in the fifth and final minute of added time of the first half, Dwight Gayle flicking on a Junior Hoilett cross past keeper Jack Hamilton. Following his goal, Youan was again the hero, teeing up Josh Campbell to seal the three points in the final minutes of the game. Both sides were guilty of failing to capitalise on good opportunities, Joshua Nisbet denied by Jordan Smith who looks to have cemented his place between the posts. Ross County’s lack drive in the second half was compounded by their inability to take their chances epitomised by Noah Chilvers and Akil Wright, both players seeing their efforts deflected out for corners. The introduction of top scorers Jordan White and Ronan Hale couldn’t turn things around as Hibernian came out deserved victors on the night. Youan to the rescue It’s not so long ago that the forward’s keepy-uppies during the 4-1 loss to Dundee saw him vilified by fans and pundits alike across the country. Just a weeks on it is fair to say that after a goal and assist to earn Hibs a vital three points, attitudes will have shifted considerably. Plenty of credit is deserved for stepping up to the plate following Cadden’s tame effort just minutes earlier but also driving his side on with an unselfish pass to Campbell when through on goal and put the game to bed in added time. A space in the game usually reserved for the Edinburgh side to concede rather than score. With tonight marking his first goal and assist of the season so far, Gray will hope the Frenchman can kick on and push Hibs away from the threat of relegation that has hung over them since the campaign began. Staggies’ away woes continue Ross County’s away form continues to blight their season having picked up just three points, all draws, from a possible twenty-four points on the road. Worse still, it is a run that stretches all the way back to September 2023 when they ran out winners against Kilmarnock. A lack of goals has certainly not helped matters either. With just thirteen, County are the lowest goalscorers in the league so far with Ronan Hale making up five of those. Hale and Jordan White were both left on the bench this evening as Alex Samuel was left with the task of improving on his record of one in twelve. The striker attempted to make life difficult for Hibs defenders with his pressing but the reliance of long balls over the backline meant he was comfortably dealt with on another difficult night away from Dingwall. Now just two points ahead of bottom side Hearts and trips to Dundee, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock incoming, Cowie will need to find some kind of remedy for this drought or face another battle to avoid the drop. What the managers said Hibernian boss David Gray: “Credit to Ross County, they started the game far better than us. Maybe nerves and a bit of anxiety around some players potentially. “The reaction from the players to go behind and get themselves back in front was excellent. “The one thing we’ve always been questioned about this year, and rightly so because of the points we’ve dropped at times, was character. Ross County threw absolutely everything at us towards the end and I thought we stood up to it really well.” Ross County boss Don Cowie: “We lost it because we made poor decisions at important times. “I’m not sure why [the referee] thought about blowing the whistle when we’re over the five minutes. [On the penalties for shirt pulling] “I’ve warned the players not to do it, it’s lazy defending and you give the referee the option to give the penalties and that’s what we did.” “What I do believe is if we keep playing like that, especially away from home, the victory will come.” Attendance: 14, 885 Line-ups: Hibs: J. Smith, J. Iredale (J. Obita ’65), R. Bushiri, W. O’Hara (Kwon Hyeok-Kyu ’91), N. Cadden, J. Newell, N. Triantis, C. Cadden, J. Hoilett (J. Campbell ’65), E. Youan, D. Gayle (M. Boyle ’80) Substitutes: J. Bursik, M. Boyle, J. Campbell, J. Doyle-Hayes, Kwwon Hyeok-Kyu, D. Levitt, H. McKirdy, N. Moriah-Welsh, J. Obita Ross County: J. Hamilton, E. Campbell (R. Leak ’21), K. Lopata, A. Wright, G. Harmon, J. Nisbet (R. Hale ’75), S. Allardice (V. Loturi ’65), C. Randall, J. Brown, N. Chilvers, A. Samuel (J. White ’66) Substitutes: J. Amissah, R. Hale, A. Denholm, M. Efete, R. Leak, V. Loturi, J. Reid, C. Telfer, J. White Referee: Lloyd Wilson
Hibernian v Ross County – Match Preview
Ross County make the long trip to the capital today as they take on Hibernian in what is a huge clash at the bottom end of the table. The Hosts Hibs are currently languishing at the bottom of the table but are only three points off Ross County in 8th. Putting a run of wins together has been the struggle for David Grays side this season. An impressive performance against Aberdeen was followed by an outstanding 3-0 at Motherwell to give the Hibbees hope. Arguably, it was the worst time for Gray and his side to gather some steam. Last week saw Hibs have the daunting task of travelling to Celtic Park in which they had their chances but were routinely beaten by the will-be Champions by 3-0. Gray is urging his team to get a win to kick off a tough festive period in which they face a trip to Aberdeen and the small matter of the Edinburgh Derby in the next two weeks. Gray said: “This weekend is an excellent opportunity because of the rewards for getting three points; that’s been the message this week. He added: “This weekend is an excellent opportunity because of the rewards for getting three points; that’s been the message this week.” The Visitors With only one win in their last five, Don Cowie will be hoping they can get back to winning ways to lift them further away from the bottom of the table. Back-to-back fixtures against the two Glasgow giants saw County pick up zero points, but Cowie was largely pleased with how they coped with Rangers last weekend. The Staggies away form this season is Cowies biggest cause of concern however, County are without an away win since September last year. Cowie said: “It’s another opportunity to try and end this run away from home, and we’re really motivated to put that to an end”. Another struggle for County coming into this fixture is their lack of scoring. County have been unable to find the net in five of their last six fixtures and have only managed 12 goals across the league so far. Cowie stressed the importance to move on from the Old Firm defeats as they face a host of sides near the bottom end of the table in a crucial December fixture list. Cowie added: “And now we go into a really important spell, the table is very tight where we are in the league. “I think everyone can see that. So it’s important that we rack up points in these games that we’ve got coming up, and then that gives us a real foundation to finish where we want to finish at the end of the season” Team news Hibs striker Mykola Kuharevich went off injured in the first half against Celtic last weekend and he will miss out today with a slight groin strain Gray confirmed. Striker Kieron Bowie remains sidelined so Dwight Gayle could lead the line for Hibs today. Defender Marvin Ekpiteta also remains out with a thigh issue. Ross County are boosted by the return of Kacper Lopata and Aidan Denhold, Cowie confirmed both players are in contention to start on Saturday. Rickie Lamie and Max Sheaf are back in training but are expected to miss out whilst Will Nightingale and Ross Laidlaw are longer term injuries. Predicted lineups Hibernian: Smith; Miller, O’Hora, Rocky, Iredale, Cadden; Youan, Triantis, Newell, Hoilett; Gayle Ross County: Hamilton; Wright, Lopata, Campbell, Harmon, Brown, Randall, Nisbet, Chilvers, White, Hale
History on the line for Celtic and Rangers in Sunday’s League Cup final
Venue: Hampden Park Date: 15/12/24 Time: 15:30 Where to watch: The game is live on Premier Sports On Sunday, it is not merely a League Cup at stake but history as both sides sit neck and neck on a monumental 118 trophies. Celtic come in favourites as the country’s dominant force and their UCL results are indicative of a side that has taken its game to another level under Brendan Rodgers. However last year’s winners Rangers look to have turned a corner in recent weeks following a poor start to the campaign, undefeated since October and notching some impressive results of their own in the Europa League. How did we get here Celtic swotted all before them as they put Hibernian, Falkirk and Aberdeen to the sword, scoring fourteen goals en route to the final. Current cup holders Rangers meanwhile comfortably dispatched St Johnstone and Dundee but were given a scare in the semifinal at Hampden when Motherwell led at the break. Ultimately Cyriel Dessers and Nedim Bajrami’s goals were the difference, saving Philippe Clement from an embarrassing exit. Domestic steamrollers Celtic There is no question who the favourites are on this occasion. Celtic sit nine points clear at the top of the table, undefeated with the season yet to reach the halfway stage. A goal difference of 40+ is an astounding figure as the side continue to rotate with no noticeable impact on performance. Nicolas Kuhn looks a cut above in the league and his performance against RB Leipzig will have drawn eyes from across the continent. The German tops the Premiership’s assist charts and his 3.12 chances created per 90 bettered only by Paulo Bernardo’s 3.13. Yet behind every machine like performance is the mechanic who keeps everything ticking, and in Callum McGregor, Celtic have a player whose ability to recycle possession is just as dangerous as his eye for goal. With six league goals, the captain not only sits joint top of the charts but has put away a third of the shots he has taken so far. Victory on Sunday would bring a 23rd domestic trophy to place him just two off Celtic’s record holder Bobby Lennox. Igamane the face of revived Rangers This time last month, Hamza Igamane was afterthought in heated discussions concerning how Rangers could turn their dismal season around. Losses to Celtic, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen had made winning the title nigh on impossible after only ten games as Igamane had managed a solitary goal against FCSB. Four weeks on, the Moroccan looks set to play a starring role in helping his side retain the League Cup for the first time since 2011. With the oft-maligned Dessers guilty of missing too many clear-cut chances, Igamane had the opportunity to make the striker’s berth his own and it’s fair to say he has grabbed it with both hands. A double against Nice kickstarted a run of five goals in as many appearances, including a terrific finish in Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham. Perhaps more impressive than the finish, was the cross that led to it. James Tavernier’s whipped ball a timely reminder of the talent Britain’s highest ever goalscoring defender possesses. It has not been plain sailing for the club’s captain this season, having been a lightning rod for the ire of fans furious with a season that has left them below Aberdeen in the table. Dropped to the bench, Tavernier would have been forgiven for thinking this was the start of an ignominious end to a career that has seen the right-back amass 329 appearances, dating right back to their time in the Championship. Five trophies in ten years pales in comparison to McGregor but there is a strong case to be made that there could have been even fewer without his contributions over the years. Europe beginning to show wear and tear? Celtic have without a doubt exceeded expectations in Europe, suffering a solitary, albeit emphatic defeat to Borussia Dortmund. The extent of this raised bar crystallised in the disappointment from fans to have only earned a point away to Dinamo Zagreb. Come Sunday, Brendan Rodgers’ men will have almost averaged a game every three days. Much has been made of the squad depth the squad have, with Arne Engels, Liam Scales, Luke McCowan and Luis Palma just some of the options from the bench who would star in every other Premiership side. However the flatness of the draw in Croatia suggests a fatigue that may be just as much mental as it is physical. Most footballers not immune to the grinding machine of modern football and this League Cup final could prove one game too many in such a short space of time. Meanwhile, for all of their European success that has propelled them into the automatic places of the Europa League table, Rangers do not posses that same quality from the bench. Too many rotations are unlikely but fortunately Rangers have yet to show that midweek games produce a weakened weekend performance. So far Clement’s players have won each of the five games domestic games that have followed European fixtures. Although as the Belgian manager will be acutely aware, a cup final against Celtic is an entirely different different beast to tame. History favours Hoops Rangers may be some distance ahead when it comes to the League Cup with twenty-eight wins to Celtic’s twenty-one but the side from the East End have captured seven of the past ten. What is perhaps more prescient to this tie is Rodgers’ own record versus Rangers. In nineteen games the Northern Irishman has lost just one Glasgow derby, winning an impressive fifteen. Celtic were winners in