Rangers vs Celtic: How can I watch Scottish Cup semi-final in the UK?

Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic face bitter rivals Rangers in a blockbuster Old Firm clash in the Scottish Cup semi-final. 

Celtic come into the game off the back of a 1-1 draw with Motherwell – with Callum McGregor scoring the side’s only goal.

Despite the recent draw, Postecoglou’s side currently sit top of the league table and are 13 points clear ahead of this weekend’s opponents.

As for Rangers, Michael Beale’s side come into the game off a 2-0 away defeat to third-place Aberdeen. 

Mail Sport breaks down everything you need to know ahead of Rangers’ meeting with Celtic including how to watch and team news.

Celtic game into the game off the back of a 1-1 draw with Motherwell last weekend

Rangers also dropped points in their last game, losing 2-0 away to Aberdeen

When is Rangers vs Celtic?

The showdown between Rangers and Celtic will take place on Sunday, April 30, with the game kicking off at 1.30pm.

The clash between the two sides is set to take place at Hampden Park.

Both teams last met at the start of the month, with Celtic securing the win. Goals from Kyogo Furuhashi and Jota ensured a 3-2 victory for Postecoglou’s side. The two sides also met in this season’s Scottish League Cup final, with the Hoops defeating Beale’s men 2-1. 

James Tavernier is Rangers’ top scorer this season, with 17 goals in all competitions. The defender has scored three goals in his last five games. 

Kyogo Furuhashi is Celtic’s top scorer this season, with 29 goals in all competitions. The forward has scored three times in his last five games.

Kyogo Furuhashi (Left) will be looking to add to his 29 goals against Rangers this weekend 

How to watch

Sunday’s showdown between Rangers and Celtic will be shown live on Viaplay – which was previously called Premier Sports – with coverage getting underway at 12.30pm. 

Fans hoping to watch the action on Viaplay can sign up via their official website. 

Viaplay costs £14.99 a month and can be cancelled at any time. 

This weekend’s clash between the two sides will take place at Hampden Park

Team news

For Rangers, they are set to have Ryan Kent and Connor Goldson available for selection. The pair missed the last game against Aberdeen.

Leon King and Alex Lowry are also expected to be back in the squad.

Beale will be without Ryan Jack, Kemar Roofe, Steven Davis and Tom Lawrence, while Antonio Colak is a major doubt for the game.

For Celtic, the Scottish Premiership league leaders may welcome Jota, Reo Hatate and Liel Abada back into the squad.

The trio missed Celtic’s last game but have been seen in training ahead of Sunday’s game. 

Predicted Rangers XI (4-2-3-1): McGregor; Tavernier, Souttar, Davies, Barisic; Jack, Raskin; Morelos, Cantwell, Tillman; Sakala 

Predicted Celtic XI (4-3-3): Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; Mooy, McGregor, O’Riley; Jota, Furuhashi, Maeda 

Reo Hatate is in line to return to the squad ahead of this weekend’s clash with Rangers

Ryan Kent (Centre) looks set to return to the Rangers squad after missing their last game

What’s been said?

Ahead of the game, Beale revealed that the clash with Celtic will have a ‘big impact’ on the season.

‘It’s a huge game, we know that. This season has been a rough ride for the fans I think, and this is a chance for us to put a few wrongs right in this game’, Beale said at his pre-match press conference.

‘It is just one game, but I think it would have a big impact on the season if we were to win and go back to the Scottish Cup final again.

Michael Beale believes that this weekend’s clash will have a big impact on the season 

Ange Postecoglou has praised his players’ mentality heading into the game with Rangers

As for Celtic, Postecoglou  is confident that his players can get the job done this weekend and has also praised their mentality.

‘This group of players have been through these scenarios fairly often and I don’t think there has been a moment that a player has been overawed.

‘We’ve given debuts to boys in these kinds of games, even guys like Alistair Johnston this year. Part of us recruiting players and bringing them in is that we know that character and personality and they can cope with it.

‘Even the slightest blip like last week, the players know they don’t want to drop below those standards.’ 

Odds

Rangers to win – 2/1   

Celtic to win – 11/10

Draw – 12/5

Rangers to win each half and Rangers to have the most corners in each half – 66/1

All odds via Paddy Power and correct at the time of publication. 

Celtic will be full of confidence heading into Sunday’s clash with bitter rivals Rangers

Prediction

Celtic have won three of the last four meetings with their bitter rivals and will be fully confident heading into the game.

With Furuhashi being arguably their top performer this season, if the forward is firing from the off, it will be enough to give Celtic the win.

As for Rangers, the club will be desperate for revenge. Their last win against their rivals came over a year ago.

Despite Celtic winning the last encounter, Tavernier proved to cause Celtic’s defence a lot of problems and even scored twice. It is fair to say that he has the potential to be a real game-changer.

Prediction – 3-2 Celtic