Scottish Cup Final, Celtic v Rangers – Team news, match officials and where to watch | OneFootball

Celtic face theRangers in the Scottish Cup Final on Saturday in the showpiece finale to the 2023/2024 campaign. With Brendan Rodgers’ side lifting the Premiership trophy last weekend, the team will be motivated to retain the Scottish Cup and end the season with a Double…

Celtic Team News

Celtic go into the game in fine health with no fresh concerns from the weekend. Stephen Welsh was substituted with a shoulder injury but returned to training during the week and he will hoping that he is involved in the Matchday squad at Hampden on Saturday.

Callum McGregor and Joe Hart lift the Scottish Premiership trophy at Celtic Park on May 18, 2024  (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Of course there are tens of thousands of supporters who wanted to be at Hampden but were unsuccessful in the ballot. The supporter who will do anything to be at Hampden tomorrow could look to buy Scottish Cup Final tickets online as a final chance to be at the first ever Glasgow Derby Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and theRangers.

Joe Hart will start in goals for the final time as a professional footballer. The Englishman enjoyed an emotional afternoon at Paradise last weekend and will be determined to check out of a decorated career with yet more silverware.

In defence, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales will start in the central pairing. Greg Taylor and Alistair Johnston will start in the fullback berths with all but Taylor being rested in the win over St Mirren.

Callum McGregor will start in the middle of the park. The skipper will be joined by POTY Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate with Brendan Rodgers looking for his midfield to continue their control in this fixture.

Daizen Maeda celebrates after his cross leads to Celtic’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on May 11, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

In attack, Daizen Maeda and James Forrest are almost certain to start out wide. Forrest pulled level with Billy McNeill in terms of honours won at Celtic and he will be eager to mark a Scotland recall with another winners medal. Kyogo started on Saturday ahead of Adam Idah and is expected to continue up front at Hampden, with the Irishman likely to be introduced around the hour mark.

On the Celtic bench at Hampden, expect to see Bain, Ralston, Welsh, Nawrocki, Tomoki, Bernardo, Palma, Idah and Khun.

Predicted Celtic starting XI:

Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; McGregor (c), Hatate, O’Riley; Forrest, Kyogo and Maeda.

Celtic Manager’s View

“I think anything where it’s a one-off game means that the favourite tag doesn’t come into it because you just never know what will happen. You can lose a player, something can happen in the game. Our focus is on looking to bring our A game. If we do that then we have a fantastic chance of winning. In a one-off final anything can happen,” Brendan Rodgers.

Celtic Captain’s View

“We’ve put ourselves in a good position and now we go into the game at the weekend full of confidence. We understand that challenge as it will be a massive game. Both teams are really good teams. We understand where we are and we have to give everything to the game. In cup finals, you need a bit of luck and things to go your way on the day. We’ve got a good chances and we’ll turn up full of confidence off the back of securing the league. We’ve always been confident and the last sort of 10 days have put us in a nice place and hopefully, we can finish with a double this weekend,” Callum McGregor.

Match Officials

. Referee Nick Walsh signals a penalty to Hearts against Celtic. Photo Neil Hanna / Sportimage

Nick Walsh has been appointed as the referee for the Cup Final. The experienced referee took charge of Celtic’s win over theRangers in December. Walsh will be assisted by Calum Spence and David Roome with Steven McLean acting as Fourth Official. Meanwhile at Clydesdale House, John Beaton has been named as the VAR Official with David McGeachie assisting.

Kick Off Time

The 2024 Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and theRangers will kick off at the traditional 3pm slot, after the Scottish FA moving last year’s final to later in the afternoon to suit broadcasters.

Pre-Match Corteo from Glasgow Green

The Green Brigade and Bhoys Celtic have organised a corteo from Glasgow Green to Hampden, leaving at 12:30pm. The two Celtic ultra groups have also asked supporters to wear the Hoops, encouraging fans to turn Glasgow Green and White.

Where to Watch

With Hampden split down the middle in green and blue, both sets of supporters will contribute to an intense atmosphere and there’s no doubt that the Celtic support will be in a confident mood ahead of kick-off as the team are unbeaten against theRangers this season with three wins and a draw.

The Scottish Cup Final will be shown live on BBC One Scotland with their programme starting at 1.15pm. And the subscription based broadcaster Premier Sports will also be showing the match. Premier Sports has returned to the UK after being rebranded as viaplay Sports. You can tune in via TV or online, as subscribers can stream matches on a variety of devices including laptops, smartphones and tablets via their app.

As usual Celtic TV will be showing the match live for subscribers based outside of Britain and Ireland.

In terms of radio, commentary for the Scottish Cup Final will be available on BBC Radio Scotland.

Predicted scoreline

Except a competitive match but Celtic’s quality to tell in the end with a 2-0 victory with goals from Matt O’Riley and Adam Idah.

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