Scottish Cup Semi-Final
Rangers v Celtic
Sunday, 30 April 2023, kick off 1:30pm
Hampden Park

Scottish Cup holders Rangers are set to face rivals Celtic in the second Semi-Final on Sunday at Hampden Park.

The two sides met at this stage last season, when Rangers came from behind to win 2-1. 

However, it was Celtic came out on top in their last meeting at Hampden Park when they triumphed by the same scoreline in the Viaplay Cup Final earlier this year. 

Cup Form 

Rangers were taken to extra-time by Hearts in last season's final, which took place just three days after their penalty shoot-out defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League Final.

They eventually came out on top though, with Ryan Jack making the breakthrough in extra-time and Scott Wright sealing the win. 

That was Rangers' 34th Scottish Cup win and their first since 2009. 

This season, they began their defence at McDiarmid Park where Borna Barisic gave them a 1-0 victory over St Johnstone.

They were given a scare in the Fifth Round though as Partick Thistle first took the lead and then later equalised with 20 minutes to go before James Sands nodded home the winner. 

Raith Rovers would not provide such a stern test in the Quarter-Final and Michael Beale's side recorded a routine 3-0 win.

Celtic, meanwhile, have enjoyed a smooth ride to the Semi-Finals. 

Ange Postecoglou's team put five past Morton and then repeated the feat against St Mirren as they began their Scottish Cup campaign in ominous fashion. 

Hearts were expected to provide a more thorough examination at Tynecastle in the Quarter-Final but a wonderful early goal from Aaron Mooy set the Hoops on their way to a 3-0 win. 

Celtic have won the Scottish Cup on 40 occasions and - with a 13-point lead in the Scottish Premiership and the Viaplay Cup trophy secured - they will be looking to take a step towards winning another domestic treble. 

Pre-match thoughts

Rangers captain James Tavernier reflected on victory in last year's Final: “It makes you hungry, it makes you want to achieve more, pick up more trophies and you want to create those moments that you will never forget.

“Heading into this Semi-Final against Celtic we know we are one game away from making the Final and having the chance to have one of those moments again so we have got to get the job done and keep a hold of the trophy we took home last season.

“I am really looking forward to it and we will be doing everything in our power to try and get to the Final. It is intense in the build-up to a game like this but we are practising every single day, it is about sticking to that and being in a good mind frame".

Celtic captain Callum McGregor also has fond memories of the competition - having won the Scottish Cup on four occasions - he is hungry for more: "The Scottish Cup is obviously a big competition and there are a lot of good memories in there.

“The Scottish Cup has got its own history and you want to continue to write your own part of that history and be part of that when people speak about Celtic teams and winning the cup.

“The success we have had as a club in the competition, it is another big opportunity for us. It is a massive game and we have to be ready.”

Match Programmes 

Programmes are available now through Ignition Sport Media.

To purchase your copy online, click here. 

Where to watch

The match will be shown live on Viaplay, with highlights available on BBC Scotland.