Celtic, Rangers eye showdown

Celtic and Rangers can set up a mouthwatering League Cup final showdown if they can dispose of tricky opponents in Aberdeen and Motherwell this weekend.

Celtic tackle Aberdeen at Hampden today just a week after the two sides clashed at Parkhead in a Scottish Premier League encounter which the Hoops won 1-0.

Neil Lennon’s side sit five points clear at the top of the league but the League Cup is his first chance to win silverware since he took charge.

“It’s a semi-final and something to look forward to,” said Lennon.

“It’s certainly a game to win because a cup final is worth getting to and we are against a pretty good Aberdeen team.”

Celtic will have new signing Kris Commons available after the forward joined from Derby but Shaun Maloney, Georgios Samaras, Daniel Majstorovic and James Forrest all miss out through injury.

Aberdeen suffered a club record 9-0 loss to Celtic in November but have lost just once since new manager Craig Brown replaced Mark McGhee. The Dons boss has vowed to play with two strikers as he tries to lead his team to their first national final in 11 years.

A Celtic victory could set up a potential Old Firm final if Rangers can come through tomorrow’s semi-final against Motherwell.

Kenny Miller was the star the last time Rangers were at Hampden when he scored the winner that clinched the League Cup against St Mirren last year.

The club lost their top scorer in the January transfer window when he joined Bursaspor, but his departure coincided with a return to action of striker Nikica Jelavic.

The former Rapid Vienna player was out of action for three months with an ankle injury after getting off to a great start at the beginning of his career at Ibrox.

Jelavic netted on his first start since returning in the win against Hibernian in midweek.

Meanwhile, the clash with Motherwell will see manager Walter Smith pitting his wits against his former Rangers midfield general Stuart McCall who replaced Craig Brown at Fir Park.

“He was an integral part of a lot of success at Rangers when he was here,” said Smith of Motherwell’s manager.

“He will know how to handle going into a semi-final. He’s got the experience.”

Fixtures and forecast

Scottish Premier League
Hamilton-Kilmarnock - 2
Hearts-St Johnstone - 1

Tomorrow:
Dundee Utd-Hibernian (14:15) - 1

League Cup, semi-finals (both at Hampden Park)
Aberdeen-Celtic (16:00) - 2

Tomorrow:
Rangers-Motherwell (16:00) - 1

First Division
Cowdenbeath-Dundee - 2
Morton-Ross County - 1
Partick Thistle-Dunfermline - X
Raith Rovers-Falkirk - 1
Stirling-Queen of South - 2

Second Division
Ayr-Stenhousemuir - 1
Dumbarton-Brechin - 2
Forfar-Airdrie Utd - 1
Livingston-East Fife - 1
Peterhead-Alloa - X

Third Division
Albion-Elgin - 1
Annan Athletic-Queen’s Park - 1
East Stirling-Berwick - X
Montrose-Clyde - 1
Stranraer-Arbroath - X