![Celtic's Greek Australian head coach Ange Postecoglou attends a press conference at Celtic Park in Glasgow on October 24, 2022, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League Group F football match against Shakhtar Donetsk. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP) / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by ANDY BUCHANAN has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Celtic's Greek Australian head coach Ange Postecoglou] instead of [Celtic's English goalkeeper Joe Hart ]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9dce004c691f42eb863841de1e075dd817c90867bff36d432d1784948871668a.jpg "Celtic's Greek Australian head coach Ange Postecoglou attends a press conference at Celtic Park in Glasgow on October 24, 2022, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League Group F football match against Shakhtar Donetsk. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP) / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by ANDY BUCHANAN has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Celtic's Greek Australian head coach Ange Postecoglou] instead of [Celtic's English goalkeeper Joe Hart ]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)")
Celtic have been nearly perfect in domestic competitions this season. They have lost one game and drawn another, winning everything else. On the other hand, the Rangers have been in good form since the arrival of Michael Beale as well. The only game that they have not won since then was a 2-2 draw against the Hoops. Form will go out of the window when the two teams face each other in the final of the Scottish League Cup, as is often the case in a Glasgow Derby.
Something must give when the two best teams in Scotland meet each other in the final. And Ange Postecoglou’s side must be prepared to face the toughest version of the Rangers at Hampden Park.
Celtic have lost only one Glasgow Derby over the past year. That did come at Hampden Park though, in last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final. Thus, the Hoops have a point to prove.
Nikola Katic believes that the Rangers are in better form than Celtic going into the Scottish League Cup final. As reported by Football Scotland, he said:
"“It’ll definitely be 50/50. I give a little bit of an advantage to Rangers from the fan side and everything and I think Rangers are a better team. It’s a cup final and it’s going to be a hard game because nobody wants to risk losing with a stupid mistake. The final means a lot to the fans. I know I said 50/50 but I give a little bit of an advantage to Rangers because I think they are a quality side. Celtic are playing good but Rangers are in better form for me.”"
Former Rangers player makes unbelievable Celtic claim before League Cup final
It is safe to say that that is a bit unbelievable. Especially when you consider the fact that the Rangers do not have a better overall, scoring or defensive record compared to Celtic, even after the arrival of Beale as manager.
None of the talk will matter on Sunday though. The only thing left to do, will be on the pitch. And one can only hope that the Bhoys bring their best to Hampden Park this time around.
With silverware up for grabs, they must rise to the occasion and show their best. Anything less might not be enough, against a Rangers team that has been very good lately as well.