League Cup: Final place at stake as Hampden hosts semis, Celtic v Rangers and St Mirren v Motherwell

Hampden is set to host two semi-finals this weekend as the last remaining teams in the League Cup battle it out for the season’s first silverware.

A place in December’s final is on the line as St Mirren play Motherwell and Celtic take on Rangers at the national stadium.

St Mirren v Motherwell

Saints v the Steelmen is first up on Saturday as Stephen Robinson and Jens Berthel Askou hope to take their side a step closer to a major trophy.

Motherwell come into the game in good form after back-to-back Premiership wins over Livingston and Dundee United.

They are now aiming to reach their first final since the 2017/18 season when they lost both the League Cup and Scottish Cup finals to a treble-winning Celtic side.

The Fir Park side haven’t lifted any silverware since 1991 when they beat Dundee United in the Scottish Cup final.

St Mirren won the League Cup 12 years ago, defeating Hearts in the final, but haven’t been to another final since.

They are without a win in their last four games, but will have taken some confidence from their 2-2 draw with the Jambos midweek.

Robinson will feel his side should have taken all three points from the league leaders after having a controversial goal ruled out by VAR.

Celtic v Rangers

On Sunday there will be a repeat of last season’s final as Glasgow’s big two come head to head at Hampden yet again.

The Hoops lifted the trophy a year ago after a dramatic penalty shootout that followed an enthralling 3-3 draw.

The game wasn’t without controversy however, with then-Rangers boss Philippe Clement convinced his team should have been awarded a penalty in extra-time.

There will be two new managers in the dugout this time around as Danny Rohl gets his first taste of the derby.

His opposite number Martin O’Neill has plenty of previous experience in the fixture, but his last one was a 2-1 victory at Ibrox over 20 years ago.

Both sides come into the game on the back of midweek wins, with Rangers beating Hibs 1-0 and Celtic sweeping aside Falkirk in a four goal victory on Wednesday night.

Celtic haven’t tasted victory over Rangers since last season’s final, with the Ibrox side winning two of the last four meetings and the other two ending in a draw.

However, Rangers haven’t defeated Celtic at Hampden since 2022 when Giovanni van Bronkhorst’s side beat Ange Postecoglou’s men in extra-time.

Since then, the Hoops have come out on top in three Old Firm finals and one semi-final.