Credit: Manh Tung - Breaking Media

Daniel Davis

Sun 8 March 2026 7:55, UK

Celtic look to have got their excuses in already ahead of their Scottish Cup quarter-final showdown against Rangers on Sunday afternoon.

The Old Firm rivals will go head-to-head for the second time in a week at Ibrox, having shared the spoils in a 2- 2 Scottish Premiership thriller last time out.

Youssef Chermiti’s superb first-half double appeared to have put Danny Rohl’s side in the driving seat, but their fierce Glasgow nemesis hit back to clinch a last-gasp point.

Now, they will renew derby tensions for a spot in the semi-finals of a domestic cup, and according to one columnist, the Bears hold the mental advantage heading into Rangers versus Celtic.

Martin O’Neill compares Celtic spending to Rangers

It has been a torrid campaign for Celtic, who trail Hearts by five points in a four-way top-flight title race and lost to St Mirren in the League Cup final back in December.

Martin O’Neill has earned plaudits for his work steadying the ship on either side of Wilfried Nancy’s nightmare tenure, but believes they are currently miles behind Rangers.

Rohl has been given funds to strengthen his squad after the disaster that was Russell Martin, and O’Neill, speaking ahead of the trip to Ibrox, admitted Celtic must raise their game after costly missteps.

However, Daily Record sportswriter Hugh Keevins believes the 74-year-old has tried to get his excuses in early, while pointing to the sheer cost of tickets for away supporters.

Keevins wrote: “The away support for the Scottish Cup tie with Rangers have paid top dollar in the hope of getting bang for their buck, as they say, but the manager’s list of excuses relative to the inadequacies only drew attention to the fact Celtic did not pay one thin dime for new players in the January window.”

Regardless, the atmosphere is set to be sensational, with 7,500 Celtic supporters to be housed inside Ibrox after years of reduced allocations.

But Keevins is worried the showdown could boil over, especially with emotions riding high.

Rangers must make big cup statement

It’s an understatement to suggest that Sunday’s cup tie is season-defining.

Rohl and his players would have been bitterly disappointed to drop two points to their arch rivals last time out, and they cannot afford another setback like that.

The head coach, deservedly or otherwise, has been criticised for questionable tactics and substitutions on multiple occasions, so a win would quieten that noise, too.

With both halves of the ground set to be in full voice, the noise will be deafening. It therefore falls to Rangers to ensure they keep their cool heads and get the job done.

Anything less, and the disappointment could also spell the end of their title push.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.