Celtic vs Rangers Scottish Cup Final forecast as our writers weigh in

Celtic and Rangers go head to head one last time in this season’s Scottish Cup Final.

Glasgow’s big two are in action in this weekend’s showpiece finale at Hampden Park which is to be played in front of a 50/50 fan split for the first time this term. Celts lifted the Premiership trophy last weekend with a win over St Mirren as they boasted an eight point lead over their rivals after the last day and Brendan Rodgers will have that success still in his mind as he looks to go the full season unbeaten on derby day.

Philippe Clement, meanwhile, is sure to want to add to the Premier Sports Cup his side won this year already to lift a domestic cup double but he’ll have some big names out missing through injury and the psychological disadvantage, perhaps, having failed to win this fixture three times.

Football Scotland’s writers have made the audacious attempt to predict the unpredictable which is the big derby in a cup final…

Ryan McDonald

Rangers haven’t had much to celebrate against Celtic this season. So it’s little wonder the odds are stacked against them getting their hands on the Scottish Cup.

The men from Govan face an injury crisis with up to nine players potentially missing which is in stark contrast to Celtic who have a clean bill of health heading into the showpiece final.

Taking that into account, it would require something special for Philippe Clement to mastermind a first Old Firm win over derby specialist Brendan Rodgers at Hampden – and I just can’t see it happening.

Celts are full of confidence after lifting the Premiership trophy and I expect them to round off their season in style.

Prediction: Celtic 2-0 Rangers

Mark Hendry

Celtic looked like running away with the game when they faced Rangers earlier this month. The minute John Lundstram’s own goal hit the back of the net it seemed like it was a runaway cricket score incoming. That certainly didn’t happen and even after Cyriel Dessers slicing the deficit was undone by Lundstram’s red card, the expected scudding didn’t come. That’s why I’m taking a more pragmatic look at the game tomorrow afternoon and I believe it’ll be closer than I’ve given Gers credit for in the past this season. A cup final is a one-off and there’s a half and half fan split inside Hampden which will give the atmosphere a lift.

I believe Celtic are too good not to come away with the win and the trophy, especially considering Brendan Rodgers’ record in the fixture. But Rangers can provide a scare or two themselves if they’re not dead and buried within the first few minutes as Philippe Clement rightfully fears, given the Hoops’ fast starts in this game.

Prediction: Celtic 3-2 Rangers

Blair Meikle

The main thing that the derbies have shown us so far this season is that Celtic are the better team of the two, that is clear. But what we’ve also seen is that Rangers are capable of hanging on in their to at least make it some sort of a contest.

That’s why I don’t necessarily see it being comfortable for the holders which is being mooted in some quarters.

At the same time, the Hoops are just too good for their rivals, especially now their main men in midfield are all fit and firing. It’s been mentioned a lot but Gers need to find some sort of solution to combat that area of the park and I’m just not sure such a solution actually exists.

I foresee a Celtic win with plenty of goals.

Prediction: Celtic 3-2 Rangers