Celtic and Rangers both secured their spots in the Scottish League Cup final this weekend, setting the stage for another high-stakes Glasgow Derby.
Celtic delivered a masterclass, thrashing Aberdeen 6-0 in a performance that underlined their dominance.
The Dons, who had been keeping pace in the Premiership and recently snatched a draw at Parkhead after trailing by two at half-time, were no match for the Hoops on this occasion.
Rangers, by contrast, were far from convincing in their semi-final. Motherwell took an early lead, but Philippe Clement’s side managed to scrape through with a 2-1 comeback victory, booking their place in the December showdown.
The final will take place in mid-December, but intriguingly, Ange Postecoglou—despite now managing in England—could still play a role in influencing the result.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs Could Impact Rangers’ Chances
Rangers are set to host Tottenham Hotspur at Ibrox just days before the final, in what promises to be a crucial European fixture.
With Spurs under Postecoglou flying high, it’s not a game Clement’s men can afford to approach lightly if they wish to keep their European hopes alive.
Meanwhile, Celtic will travel to Croatia to face Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League but will benefit from a few extra days of rest before the Hampden Park clash.
Postecoglou’s Indirect Influence?
Given their current form, Celtic head into the League Cup final as favourites. Yet, the Glasgow Derby has a reputation for defying expectations, and form often counts for little in such fiercely contested encounters.
Celtic’s League Cup triumph two years ago was the turning point when fans fully bought into Postecoglou’s vision.
He defended the title the following year, cementing his legacy. Could his new team’s fixture inadvertently help his old side by tiring out their rivals? Time will tell.
For now, Celtic will know they cannot afford complacency. Bringing their best to Hampden will be crucial as they aim to retain the trophy and continue their domestic dominance.