This Sunday’s Scottish League Cup semi-final at Hampden arrives with both Glasgow giants heading in very different directions.
Rangers, under Danny Röhl, are beginning to stabilise. Celtic, meanwhile, are coming to terms with managerial upheaval, supporter anger and key injury concerns.
Martin O’Neill returned to take the Celtic job on an interim basis after the shock resignation of Brendan Rodgers early this week and the 73-year-old won his first match in charge of the Hoops in 20 years with a 4-0 home win over Falkirk midweek after back-to-back defeats in Rodgers' final two matches.
Rangers have won two out of two in the league under Röhl, defeating Kilmarnock at Ibrox before a gritty 1-0 win at Easter Road on Wednesday.
To gauge the mood on the other side of the divide, we spoke with Joshua Granger, host of the Bhoys in Green YouTube channel.
Did Celtic change their shape under O’Neill?
According to Granger, the shape didn’t dramatically shift, it was still largely a 4-3-3, but the approach did.
He said: “It was the same shape, but more direct.
“Under Rodgers it got stale, sideways, slow. With O’Neill and [Shaun} Maloney, there was more urgency, fewer passes between the centre-halves, and getting the ball forward quicker.
“James Forrest started on the right, Johnny Kenny led the line, and Arne Engels, Calum McGregor and Benjamin Nygren formed the midfield.
“The biggest tactical tweak was Nygren pushing higher, becoming almost a second striker at times.”
This switch will be something Rangers will need to watch out for – with an extra man in the hole between midfield and attack that will need tracked.
What is the fan mood like after Rodgers' departure?
Simply put: Shock, frustration and anger at the Celtic board was how Joshua described the feeling from the support.
He said: “It was a shock that he left - but the statement from Dermot Desmond was seen as disgraceful.
“It felt like the board were trying to shift blame. The anger is now aimed squarely at them.
“The protests pre-match midweek tell the story.”
Celtic’s injury issues & danger men?
Celtic still have key absences: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston, Jota and likely Kelechi Iheanacho. Daizen Maeda is back training but short of fitness.
The players he suggested Celtic would therefore lean on:
• Johnny Kenny – fresh off two goals midweek and expected to start with Maeda still not fully fit.
• Sebastian Tounekti – lively on the left, one of few summer signings viewed positively.
• Callum McGregor – not at his best this season, but still the tempo-setter.
• Benjamin Nygren – pushed higher, linking with Kenny.
Joshua suggested that Rangers should expect a more direct Celtic, especially in transition.
View on Celtic’s season so far
Granger did not sugarcoat it: “Disappointing. Performances have been poor.
“Recruitment in summer was badly handled. The team hasn’t gone on any sort of run.”
He highlights the 0-0 draw at Ibrox as a “poor result”, believing Celtic should have taken advantage of Rangers’ early-season struggles.
Could a win kick start Celtic’s season?
“Potentially – but it is not guaranteed. It could build momentum, let the team settle and push on.
“But we’ve not turned up against Rangers in over a year.
“A win might spark something - but there are no guarantees.”
Is there fan confidence going into the semi-final?
“Not much,” Joshua said.
“Personally, I am never confident for these games anyway, but with injuries, the way the season’s gone, no, not really.”
Who will their next manager be?
When pressed on who he expected to take the job permanently Joshua could provide no firm answers - but some wants:
• Nicky Hayen (Club Brugge)
• Kieran McKenna (Ipswich)
• Kjetil Knutsen (Bodø/Glimt)
But Granger admits: “I’ve no idea who it’ll be.”
What This Means for Rangers?
Celtic are likely to:
• Be more direct
• Look early to Kenny and Tounekti
• Push Nygren higher to press Rangers’ back line
• Depend on McGregor to control rhythm – but only if he’s allowed to
Which makes one thing absolutely pivotal:
Rangers must control McGregor.
Whether Röhl sticks with Thelo Aasgaard or Mikey Moore in the advanced midfield role or turns to the proven derby-shutdown option: Nedim Bajrami, could decide who dictates tempo at Hampden.
Celtic arrive emotional, disrupted, and still dangerous, but fragile.
Rangers arrive organised, steadier, and with a real chance to take control of the fixture and set the tone for the second half of the season.
If there’s a moment for either side to claim momentum, this is it.