Rangers vs Celtic: League Cup Quarter-Final Preview

Old Firm Cup Clash at Ibrox

Rangers and Celtic meet in the Scottish League Cup quarter-final on Sunday, 13 September 2026, with a place in the semi-finals at stake. According to live coverage of the match, Rangers took the lead through Dan Neil, whose strike was his very first goal for the club. The goal came from neat buildup down the left-hand side, an area where Celtic have struggled defensively according to the same report.

The match, which kicked off at 12:00pm at Ibrox, is the latest instalment of the Old Firm rivalry and carries the added weight of a knockout cup tie. With the winner advancing to the last four of the Scottish League Cup, both sides know there is no margin for error in a single-leg quarter-final.

How the Opening Goal Came About

Rangers' opener was the product of patient possession down the left channel. Djeidi Gassama, who has looked dangerous when cutting inside or going on the outside, was involved in the buildup, though the report notes he has not yet brought the end product to his game. The decisive moment arrived when Dan Neil finished the move to hand Rangers the advantage.

Celtic's difficulties down that flank have been a recurring theme in the early stages, and Rangers appeared to target that area deliberately. For a cup quarter-final, the first goal can be decisive, forcing the trailing side to open up and chase the game.

What's at Stake

Progress to the Scottish League Cup semi-finals is the immediate prize, but the psychological boost of an Old Firm victory in knockout football cannot be overstated. Rangers will look to manage the game from their lead, while Celtic must find a response to keep their cup hopes alive.

With the match still in progress, the tie remains finely balanced despite Rangers' advantage. A one-goal lead in this fixture is rarely comfortable, and Celtic possess the quality to punish any lapse in concentration.

Elsewhere in Today's Football

Sunday's action also includes the Manchester derby, where Enzo Maresca's Manchester City face Michael Carrick's Manchester United in the Premier League. For predictions on that and other top-flight fixtures, see our Premier League predictions. Our today's AI betting tips page covers the weekend's key matches, and you can follow all the latest developments in our latest football news section.

Looking Ahead

As the second half unfolds at Ibrox, both managers will be weighing up tactical adjustments. Rangers will want to protect their lead and perhaps add a second to kill the tie, while Celtic need to find a way through a defence that has started brightly. The Scottish League Cup quarter-final promises a tense conclusion, with a semi-final berth the reward for the winner.