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Celticvs.Rangers

sportsmole.co.uk, 13 December 2024, 19:59
The first major piece of Scottish silverware is up for grabs on Sunday when Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers lock horns in the Scottish League Cup final at Hampden Park.

Brendan Rodgers's Celtic have put together a 14-game unbeaten run in all competitions, most recently drawing 0-0 with Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The Hoops are in the driving seat to retain their Premiership title as they sit nine points clear at the top of the table and 11 points above third-placed Rangers, who are now bidding to retain the League Cup after beating Aberdeen in last year's showpiece event.

Philippe Clement's side, chasing a record-extending 29th League Cup, are unbeaten in nine matches across all tournaments and had a four-game winning streak ended by Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday as both sides shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in the Europa League.

Ahead of this weekend's eagerly-anticipated Old Firm derby, Sports Mole rounds up Celtic and Rangers' latest injury and suspension news.

CELTIC INJURY NEWS:

Alistair Johnston

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Knock

Possible return date: December 15 (vs. Rangers)

Alistair Johnston was taken off with a knock in the midweek draw with Dinamo Zagreb, but Rodgers has since revealed that he expects the right-back to be "okay" for Sunday.

Odin Thiago Holm

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Calf

Possible return date: December 15 (vs. Rangers)

Odin Thiago Holm has been sidelined since September with a calf injury, but Rodgers has revealed his Celtic squad is "healthy" and "we should have everyone fit and available" for Sunday, which suggests that the Norwegian could be involved in some capacity at Hampden Park.

RANGERS INJURY NEWS:

John Souttar

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Groin

Possible return date: December 15 (vs. Celtic)

John Souttar hobbled off with a groin problem in the midweek draw with Spurs and Clement has since revealed that the defender needs to be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Hamza Igamane

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Unspecified

Possible return date: December 15 (vs. Celtic)

Hamza Igamane, who scored a superb opener against Spurs, was also taken off before the full-time whistle after sustaining an unspecified issue, and the striker will be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Neraysho Kasanwirjo

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Neraysho Kasanwirjo has missed Rangers' last six games in all competitions with a knee injury and the winger is not expected to return until the New Year.

Tom Lawrence

Status: Out

Type of injury: Leg

Possible return date: Unknown

Tom Lawrence has missed Rangers' last eight games in all competitions since sustaining a knock to his leg in the Scottish League Cup semi-final win over Motherwell on November 3, and Sunday's final will come too soon for the attacker.

Rabbi Matondo

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

Rabbi Matondo has been sidelined since September when he pulled his hamstring in a 3-0 Scottish Premiership defeat at Celtic, and the winger remains unavailable for selection.

CELTIC VS. RANGERS SUSPENSION LIST

Both Celtic and Rangers have no suspended players for this match.

Rangers duo Danilo and Ianis Hagi were ineligible to represent the club in the Europa League in midweek, but they are available for selection on Sunday.

Written by

Oliver Thomas

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