Co-operative Insurance Cup on offer
There’s more live football on Sky Sports than ever before, including the Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Clydesdale Bank Premier League, England away Euro 2012 qualifiers and La Liga. With four live Sky Sports channels, as well as Sky Sports News, you’ll never miss a moment on Sky. Click here for more.
Related links
Teams
Also see
The first piece of major silverware is up for grabs in Scotland on Sunday when arch-rivals Celtic take on Rangers in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final.
Gers are the reigning holders having beaten St Mirren in last year’s final while Celtic saw off the Light Blues in the 2008/09 season thanks to extra-time goals from Darren O’Dea and Aiden McGeady.
It will be the sixth time the teams have met this season after they needed a Scottish Cup replay to be separated and the Bhoys have the upper hand with three wins, one loss and a draw.
Things could barely be tighter between the two at the top of the SPL table with Celtic leading the way by two points, although Walter Smith’s side do have an all-important game in hand.
A win for Rangers on Sunday would see them claim the trophy for the 27th time in their history while Celtic have won the competition the second most number of times with 14 successes.
Celtic news
Celtic, like Rangers, had a midweek match where they got the better of Inverness 2-1 with Joe Ledley helping himself to a brace.
Neil Lennon is boosted by the availability of midfielder Scott Brown and defender Mark Wilson, who signed a one-year extension this week.
Both missed the Scottish Cup win at Inverness at midweek but are likely to go straight back in to the Hoops’ side.
Veteran Daniel Majstorovic is still out with fractured toe on his right foot. Thomas Rogne could be recalled and is vying with the likes of Charlie Mulgrew and Glenn Loovens to start.
Rangers news
Gers arrive at Hampden Park on a downer having being dumped out of the Europa League on Thursday following a 1-0 aggregate defeat to PSV Eindhoven.
Fit-again winger Steven Naismith is likely to be drafted into Smith’s starting XI after appearing off the bench against the Eredivisie club.
Striker Kyle Lafferty is doubtful to feature in Sunday’s showpiece final having been stretchered off in the 66th minute with a knee injury.
El-Hadji Diouf will be hoping to get the nod after coming off the bench on Thursday and either he or David Healy could start if Lafferty misses out.
On-loan defender Kyle Bartley is defiantly ruled out of this weekend’s clash after suffering suspected medial ligament damage against PSV.
View post:
Celtic v Rangers preview