IF you had predicted that it would be Martin O’Neill vs Danny Rohl in the dugout for the Premier Sports Cup semi-final between Celtic and Rangers a few weeks ago you might have got a few strange looks.
Yet that is the current state of affairs heading into a blockbuster clash at Hampden on Sunday.
The Hoops head to the national stadium on the back of a 4-0 win over Falkirk as O’Neill kickstarted his interim period in charge of the club with a comfortable victory.
Rangers, too, are also going in with a morale-boosting win over Hibs as Rohl secured back to back league wins for the Gers for the first time this season.
With both clubs having their struggles this season and new men at the helm, there is a feeling that this match could go either way.
Our SunSport writers give their predictions and they will be hoping for much more entertainment than the snorefest the pair served up at Ibrox earlier in the season.
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ROBERT GRIEVE
Celtic 0 Rangers 1
I genuinely think it’s a tie that could go either way with this Old Firm semi-final so difficult to call.
Both teams had good midweek wins and that’s helped to boost their confidence ahead of such a big game.
I’m tempted to say it’ll go into extra-time and all the way to penalties, where it becomes a lottery.
But I’m tipping Danny Rohl’s Rangers to nick a victory and go through to the final where they’ll play St Mirren.
BILL LECKIE
Celtic 2 Rangers 2 (Rangers to win on penalties)
Three weeks ago it would have been Celtic all day long.
Now?
So hard to call.
Both sides have been consumed by so much chaos it’s almost impossible to know what we’ll get from them on the day.
So for me, it could all come down to which has more energy in the tank – because this one could go right down to the wire.
ROBERT THOMSON
Celtic 2 Rangers 1
Despite their midweek wins both sides remain fragile and nerves will be jangling again with the stakes so high in this game at Hampden.
The fact Celtic have more experience of big occasions might just be enough to help them get over the line in a close contest.
Rangers have improved under Danny Rohl in a short space of time but the Hoops still have more matchwinners and Martin O’Neill will have them fired up.
ROGER HANNAH
Celtic 1 Rangers 2
Let’s not be kidded, no one can predict the outcome of this game with any confidence.
When the rivals met in that Ibrox borefest two months ago, Russell Martin and Brendan Rodgers were in the dugouts.
Who’d have predicted the next derby would involve 36-year-old Danny Rohl versus 73-year-old Martin O’Neill?
Gers finished that day with Cyriel Dessers up top and Nico Raskin in the doghouse.
Celts ended the scoreless stalemate with Shin Yamada leading the line.
Could it be Youssef Chermiti or Danilo – or both – for Gers at Hampden on Sunday?
Will Johnny Kenny start for the Hoops after his midweek double against Falkirk?
Which team’s ‘new manager bounce’ will lift them the higher and propel them into the final on December 14?
Frankly, after this of all weeks in Scottish football, any predictions simply come down to a hunch or a full-blown guess.
So I’ll say 2-1 Rangers and a degree of revenge for last season’s penalty shootout defeat in the final.
Then again, absolutely anything could happen.
GARETH LAW
Celtic 2 Rangers 1
Difficult to call with all the upheaval being experienced by both clubs right now.
Danny Rohl has led Rangers to two straight wins for the first time this season while Martin O’Neill’s old school tactics sparked Celtic into life against Falkirk.
But it’s the Hoops who edge it for me thanks to the extra proven quality they have in their squad.
ROBERT MARTIN
Celtic 2 Rangers 2 (Rangers to win on penalties)
I don’t think there’s much to separate these sides at the moment and I definitely don’t trust either of them to keep the other one out.
That could at least lead to an entertaining affair at Hampden as Martin O’Neill and Danny Rohl get used to the options at their disposal.
And I can see it going all the way to extra-time and yes, penalties, where the Ibrox side will just edge it to reach the final.
DEREK McGREGOR
Celtic 1 Rangers 2
Danny Rohl has quickly got Rangers back in a better place while he’s also managed to unite the fans behind him.
I reckon he’ll get a massive win on his derby debut.
Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney sparked Celtic back to life in the rout of Falkirk.
But I feel Rangers have a bit more about them and will triumph in a tense, tight game.
DAVID FRIEL
Celtic 1 Rangers 2
Celtic haven’t beaten Rangers in normal time for 14 months and there is little evidence to suggest that will change.
From the team that started that 3-0 win in August 2024, Kyogo Furuhashi, Nicolas Kuhn and Greg Taylor have gone, while Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston are crocked.
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Add in injuries to Jota and Kelechi Iheanacho, along with concerns over Daizen Maeda’s fitness, and the strength of the Hoops team has dropped massively.
Danny Rohl has already made Rangers tougher to break down and they can secure a big win over managerless Celtic.
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