Celtic v the Rangers – Team News, Match Officials & Where to Watch

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The Celtic Star

·1 November 2025

Celtic v the Rangers – Team News, Match Officials & Where to Watch

Cup holders Celtic are at Hampden tomorrow to take on theRangers in the semi-final of the Premier Sports Cup. Let’s hope it’s a long overdue Beautiful Sunday…

Daizen Maeda with the Premier Sports Cup after Celtic’s victory over theRangers on 15 December 2024 at Hampden Park. Photo Kenny Ramsay

It’s the final Glasgow Derby of the season and Celtic, under the leadership of the legendary Martin O’Neill will be looking to secure a first victory over the latest Ibrox club in 2025.

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The two sides of course met in the final last December and in an incredible game that finished 3-3 after extra time, Celtic won on penalties with Daizen Maeda taking the kick the brought the trophy back to Paradise. A Zombie hack at yesterday’s media conference wanted to call that final a draw to extend the tenth of time since the last Celtic ‘victory’ a thumping 3-0 win in September 2024.

Daizen Maeda scores to win the Premier Sports Cup Final for Celtic at Hampden on 15 December 2024. Photo AJ for The Celtic Star

He perhaps would have been less eager to reach the same conclusion after theRangers Scottish cup semi-final ‘draw’ against Celtic, even though the club Charles Green founded won the penalty shoot-out that time.

He was lucky it wasn’t Big Ange sitting in that chair rather than Martin O’Neill because he’d have roasted him.

Celtic Team News

Take the team that started against Falkirk and the question marks for any changes are at left-back, with Kieran Tierney available for selection. Martin was mightily impressed by Marcelo Saracchi in midweek but Shaun Maloney may well be whispering something different in his ear.

Marcelo Saracchi of Celtic controls the ball during the Premier League match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on October 29, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Like KT, Daizen Maeda is also back in contention, he came off the bench for twenty or so minutes in the midweek match and given the trouble he usually causes Tavernier & Co, he’s really got too start. So Martin aided by Shaun’s advice must decide if he plays on the right wing or through the middle and whichever position is selected will mean either Johnny Kenny or James Forrest dropping to the bench.

Kelechi Iheanacho. Dundee v Celtic. 19 October 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Martin O’Neill also mentioned in his media conference that Kelechi Iheanacho could possibly be available but that seems somewhat optimistic that he could start, so expect the striker to be on the bench. Alistair Johnston will also sit this one out but should be back in a few weeks time.

Predicted Celtic Team

Callum McGregor celebrates after the Premier Sports Cup Final victory over theRangers at Hampden on 15 December 2024. Photo AJ for The Celtic Star

Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Saracchi; McGregor (c), Engels, Nygren, Maeda, Kenny and Sebastian Tounekti

Subs: Sinisalo, Tierney, Donovan, Murray, Hatate, Balikwisha, McCowan, Bernardo, Iheanacho, Forrest and Osmand

Match Officials

Referee Nick Walsh Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, Quarter Final, Celtic Park, – 09 March 2025 : Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

The match referee for the Celtic v theRangers Premier Sports Cup semi-final will be Nick Walsh who will be assisted by Daniel McFarlane and Frank Connor. Steven McLean will be the VAR and his assistant will be Andrew Dallas.

Kick-off Time

The Celtic Huddle before the Premier Sports Cup Final victory over theRangers at Hampden on 15 December 2024. Photo AJ for The Celtic Star

The second Premier Sports Cup semi-final kicks off at Hampden Park at 2pm on Sunday 2 November. The winners will play St Mirren in the final on Sunday 14 December.

Where to Watch

The semi-final is exclusively live on Premier Sports in the Britain and Ireland. The match will also be streamed on Celtic TV and will be available to subscribers outside of the two islands mentioned above.

Predicted Score

Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates in the penalty shoot out during the Premier Sports Cup Final between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park on December 15, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Like many Celtic supporters I’m more confident that I was a week ago that we’ll win this semi-final against theRangers, and I reckon the score will be Celtic 2 theRangers 0.

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, signed copies by Danny McGrain available from celticstarbooks.com

Don’t miss the chance to purchase the late, great Celtic historian David Potter’s final book. All remaining copies have been signed by the legendary Celtic captain Danny McGrain PLUS you’ll also receive a FREE copy of David Potter’s Willie Fernie biography – Putting on the Style, and you’ll only be charged for postage on one book. Order from Celtic Star Books HERE.

Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books