Andy Walker predicts Rangers v Aberdeen in Viaplay Cup semi-final
Rangers will take on Aberdeen in the Viaplay Cup semi-final this weekend and Sky Sports’ Andy Walker predicts that it could be another “feisty” encounter, with many expecting a 16th Scottish League Cup Old Firm Derby final.
The Scottish Premiership goes on ice for the League Cup’s final four this weekend with both semi-finals taking place at Hampden.
Both Rangers and Aberdeen were involved in a pulsating League meeting back in December, a game which saw the Gers come away with a dramatic 3-2 victory [20 December] after Scott Arfield’s stoppage-time double gave them all three points.
And Walker is predicting a similar outcoming in the League Cup semi-final this Sunday, with Aberdeen hoping to exact some revenge. However, many will be expecting both Rangers and Celtic to overcome their tough tasks to set up a famous 16th Old Firm Derby League Cup final.
Writing in his column on Sky Sports [11 January], he said: “The other one (tie) I think is much closer, there’s always an edge to that Aberdeen-Rangers game.
“There was that extraordinary 3-2 game just before Christmas, Aberdeen were 2-1 up after 90 minutes but Rangers’ determination and will to win got them two goals in added time. That’ll be a really feisty one on Sunday, but I think most people are suggesting Celtic and Rangers will play in the final.”
Tough test
Sunday’s semi-final tie with Aberdeen will indeed be a feisty encounter and a tough test for Michael Beale’s men. The pressure will certainly be on the Gers to come out of Sunday, entering the final showpiece.
The league title race is indeed looking like a foregone conclusion in Celtic’s favour, with the Hoops sitting pretty at the top of the league table by nine points.
Many of the Gers faithful will be demanding a League Cup triumph as Beale attempts to cement his first few months in the job with a trophy. And it could well be a triumph which could prove the catalyst for more trophies down the line, especially in toppling Celtic and winning it consecutively for the first time in a long while.
It is imperative Rangers prove themselves under Michael Beale, and there may be no perfect way to do that than by winning a 28th League Cup and their first triumph since 2011.
It certainly won’t be easy against a tough Aberdeen side looking to exact revenge after December’s dramatic late defeat on their own turf.
In other Rangers news, a new contract is now on the cards for a key player Beale wants to build his team around.