Celtic v Rangers: Starting teams named for League Cup semi-final clash at Hampden

Martin O’Neill and Danny Rohl have named their starting teams for the League Cup semi-final clash at Hampden.

Celtic and Rangers meet at the national stadium on Sunday with a place in next month’s final on the line.

The winners will play St Mirren for the trophy on December 15.

The last derby ended in a 0-0 at Ibrox back in September, however there will be two different managers leading the team out onto the pitch this time around.

Rohl replaced Russell Martin last month and has won two of his first three games as Rangers head coach and comes into the game on the back of consecutive league wins over Kilmarnock and Hibs.

O’Neill was appointed caretaker manager at Parkhead after the resignation of Brendan Rodgers a week ago and took all three points from his game when they beat Falkirk 4-0 on Wednesday.

He has extensive experience of the fixture, from his first spell as manager between 2000-2005, but the last one was over 20 years ago when he recorded a 2-1 win at Ibrox.

Celtic won the tournament last season following a penalty shoot-out victory over Rangers, but they haven’t defeated their city rivals since, losing two and drawing two of the four derbies played in 2025.

Rangers have won the trophy more than any other team, but have only won it once in the last 15 seasons, while the Hoops have won it eight times during the same period.

O’Neill has made one change from their win over Falkirk four days ago with Daizen Maeda returning from injury in place of James Forrest on the right side of a front three.

Celtic start with Kasper Schmeichel in goals and a back four of Anthony Ralston, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales and Marcello Sarrachi.

Captain Callum McGregor anchors a three-man midfield beside Arne Engels and Benjamin Nygren, with Maeda and Seb Tounekti on either side of Johny Kenny up front.

Rohl has Jack Butland between the sticks and a back three of Nasser Djiga, John Souttar, and Derek Cornelious with James Tavernier and Jayden Meghoma on the flanks.