Rangers B team will take on their Celtic counterparts in a Glasgow Cup tie this afternoon with a few first team figures primed for action.
The historic tournament is no longer contested by the senior teams of Rangers and Celtic, but alongside the other members of the Glasgow FA, Partick Thistle, Queens’ Park and Clyde, the old trophy is still played for.
In the current set-up, a five team group stage takes place ahead of the semi-final and the decider.
In January, Rangers B got their campaign underway with a resounding 5-1 win over Partick at Auchenhowie. Today’s Old Firm encounter will also take place at the Rangers Training Centre.
👊 Back in Glasgow Cup action this afternoon.
🆚 Celtic
📍 Rangers Training Centre
⏰ 3pm
📲 Live Updates💙 Come on #RangersFC! pic.twitter.com/97Jh3f3Vva
— Rangers B & Academy (@RFC_Youth) March 7, 2023
Now this is where it gets interesting.
The tournament is effectively limited to U21’s but the Old Firm can field a maximum of three overage players. The other clubs in the Glasgow Cup will feature a mixture of first team, reserves and youths.
From the perspective of Michael Beale and the first team coaches, here is an opportunity for decent match practice for some on the fringes of the squad, on the return from injury layoffs so who would benefit most?
Right away, John Souttar and Ridvan Yilmaz will come into contention. Beale was quoted at the weekend in regard to the Turkish international, stating on the injury front:
“Ianis Hagi has just got a loading problem with his knee. Sometimes it reacts to certain things so he’s in and out of training but he’s fit for the weekend.”
“John (Souttar) and Ridvan are too but with Ridvan it’s probably more with an eye on the cup tie next weekend. He’s back in training but only for seven days so I’d like him maybe to get some minutes in a B Team game or behind closed doors just to make sure. But he looks in a good place.”
Rabbi Matondo is another one to watch out for. The Welsh wide player was said to be close for the weekend but didn’t make the squad.
Full live updates on the game will be provided by Rangers B and Academy on Twitter (@RFC_Youth) with the contest set for a 3pm kick-off.