Glory Beckons: Why Celtic Will Dominate Rangers at Hampden

Rangers are facing total humiliation against a Celtic juggernaut rolling towards League Cup glory at Hampden.

It is around two weeks until Celtic take to the pitch at Hampden to face Rangers in the League Cup Final. That familiar buzz of anticipation is building, but this time it's different. This time, we're not just heading to Hampden for another Glasgow derby - we're heading there to witness what could be one of the most one-sided League Cup Finals in recent memory.

Rangers under their manager Philippe Clement are a side desperately searching for an identity. Watching them play is like watching a tribute act trying to cover Queen, they might hit some of the right notes from time to time, but they’re nowhere near the real thing. Their performances have been more erratic than a Glasgow weather forecast, and the pressure on Clement, Tavernier & co. is at boiling point. Sunday’s 1-0 win over St.Johnstone was met with a chorus of boos at Half Time as per usual, and only an own goal by former Rangers midfielder Jason Holt saved their skins from the away support baying for their blood throughout much of the game. They are already 11 points behind Celtic in the league, and losing the Cup Final and the manner in which they lose could lead to more ugly scenes outside Ibrox.

Meanwhile, Celtic have been purring like a well-oiled machine. The fluidity of our movement, the precision of our passing, and the relentless nature of our press - it's a sight to behold at times. Every player knows their role inside out, and the interconnected play between our midfielders and strikers has been nothing short of superb at times.

Despite not hitting the form he did in his first season at Celtic under Ange Postecoglou, Kyogo is still a major thorn in the side of opposition defenders. His movement off the ball is like watching a master at work, seemingly two or three moves ahead. Finding space where there doesn’t seem to be any and latching onto balls that seem to be lost causes. Rangers' central defenders will be pulled every which way by the Japanese striker, and when he drops deep, he creates space for Celtic’s midfield to exploit. And exploit it they will.

Our midfield dominance is where this game will truly be won. Callum McGregor, while struggling at times in Europe, has shown he pulls the strings in the heart of the Celtic midfield domestically. His partnership with Bernardo and Hatate will be the cornerstone of Celtic’s dominance of the Cup Final - and with the likes of McCowan and Engels coming off the bench to freshen things up in the second half, I cannot see past our midfield dominating once again. Rangers' midfield, in comparison, looks about as coordinated as a pub team after a heavy night out.

The wide areas are where we usually embarrass them. Our full-backs regularly push high up the pitch they're practically wingers, and with the technical ability they possess, Rangers will be forced to either commit men forward and leave spaces for us to exploit behind them, or sit back and invite pressure. Either way, they're damned if they do and damned if they don't.

Celtic’s pressing game will force them into mistakes, and when - not if - those mistakes come, Celtic will be ready to pounce. The sight of their defenders desperately hoofing the ball clear while our players hunt in packs will be a regular sight throughout the final.

The tactical battle, or lack thereof, will be fascinating to watch. Clement has shown about as much tactical flexibility as a concrete lamp post since arriving in Glasgow. His rigid formation might work against the likes of St.Johnstone and St.Mirren, but against our fluid, interchangeable system? It'll be like bringing a knife to a gunfight.

Let's not forget the psychological aspect either. The weight of that Rangers jersey seems to be getting heavier with each passing week. The pressure from their support is immense, and you can see it in their play - the hesitation in the final third, the nervous energy when they're pressed, the lack of composure in key moments. Meanwhile, Celtic are playing with the kind of freedom and confidence that comes from knowing you're simply better than the opposition.

The strength in depth we have in comparison to Rangers is another factor that should have Rangers fans worried. When we look to make changes, we've got game-changers ready to come on and maintain our intensity. When they look to their bench, it's more a case of hoping someone isn’t as bad as the player they are replacing.

The atmosphere at Hampden will be electric, as always, but I expect the noise levels from the Rangers end to drop significantly as the goals start flowing. Their support, bless them, convinced themselves that Clement had brought about some kind of revolution at Ibrox only for it to fall flat on its face as it has done with every revolution they’ve had since the departure of Mark Warburton. The game on the 15th will be another reality check for them, delivered in the most brutal fashion possible. I just hope that Celtic don’t sit back in the second half thinking the job is done.

Their defensive organisation has more holes than Rab C. Nesbitt’s string vest, and with our movement and passing accuracy, we could rack up a Ross County scoreline. The only thing that might save them from complete humiliation is if we decide to take our foot off the gas after four or five goals.

As for their attacking threat? Well, that's assuming they get enough of the ball to mount any meaningful attacks. Their forward line has been about as threatening as a sleeping kitten in recent weeks. They might have a moment or two, maybe even a half-chance, but sustaining any kind of pressure against our defence? Not a chance.

The reality is, this Celtic team isn't just better than Rangers - they're in a different league entirely. The gap between the sides hasn't been this wide since the days when Rangers were still crying over being called Sevco and demanding programme editors & tannoy announcers be sacked for laughing at them. The difference is, this time it's down to better coaching, better players, and a better understanding of how modern football should be played.

When that final whistle blows and the green and white ribbons are being tied to the trophy, I expect to see a lot of empty seats in the Rangers end. Their fans will have seen enough, heading for the exits early to avoid watching us celebrate yet another triumph - heading to Ibrox with pitchforks at hand.

A Celtic victory against Rangers in the Cup Final, won't just be a victory - it will be a statement of absolute dominance in Scottish football.

For those Celtic fans lucky enough to have tickets, you're not just going to watch a football match - you're going to witness a demolition derby. The kind of performance that gets talked about for years to come, the kind that becomes part of Celtic folklore. Rangers might turn up hoping for a miracle, but miracles are in short supply when you're up against a team that's superior in every department.