Rangers will welcome a partisan home crowd to Ibrox on Sunday as the hosts look to exploit a disrupted Celtic preparation in their domestic quarter-final.
The visitors arrive without any travelling supporters following a ticket allocation dispute and recent derby unrest that resulted in a £100,000 compensation bill.
Ahead of the tie, Police Scotland issued a mandatory disciplinary briefing to the visiting squad, with manager Martin O’Neill confirming a 15-minute meeting regarding player conduct.
Targeting An Unsettled Opposition
Derek McInnes holds a distinct psychological advantage with O’Neill wrestling over an uncommitted defensive lineup.
The Celtic manager remains undecided on whether to start late summer arrival Sam Johnstone or early-season regular Viljami Sinisalo in goal.
Addressing the dilemma, O’Neill told RTE: “I haven’t made my mind up at all. It was a matter of getting a look at what Sam can do.”
Rangers must capitalise on this defensive uncertainty to secure a semi-final spot inside a 50,000-capacity stadium.
While the recruitment department evaluates an Oskar Fallenius pre-contract opportunity and considers an impending Oscar Cortes transfer choice, McInnes is fully focused on advancing.
Celtic will have midfielder Mika Baur available to start despite the German missing a recent training session with a minor knock.
The playmaker scored the decisive goal against St Johnstone on Wednesday evening. The domestic tie kicks off at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon.
Everything is set for another feisty Old Firm encounter this weekend.
