The Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals have been scheduled across the weekend of 12–14 September, with the standout fixture confirmed as Rangers hosting Celtic at Ibrox — a noon kick-off on Sunday 13 September that is sure to dominate Scottish football's agenda.
A Weekend of Scottish Cup Football
The quarter-final programme gets under way on Friday evening when Stenhousemuir welcome Heart of Midlothian in what will be a notable occasion for the Ochilview club. Saturday's action sees Ross County take on Hibernian up in Dingwall, while Kilmarnock and Aberdeen go head-to-head at Rugby Park — a fixture that could have significant implications for how both clubs approach the early part of their seasons.
The weekend concludes with the most high-profile tie of the round. Rangers and Celtic meet at Ibrox, completing the last-eight draw and promising one of Scottish football's most charged atmospheres regardless of kick-off time.
Recent Old Firm History in the Cups
Celtic will arrive at Ibrox with recent cup history firmly on their side. Last season the two clubs met at the semi-final stage of this very competition, with Celtic advancing on penalties before ultimately losing the final to St Mirren. The clubs also clashed in the Scottish Cup, where Celtic again edged through in a shoot-out following a goalless draw at Ibrox.
That run of results means Rangers will be hungry to reverse the trend on home turf, while Celtic will be well aware that their opponents are overdue a cup result against them. The market will no doubt reflect the complexity of an occasion that rarely follows form books.
Why This Tie Matters Beyond Bragging Rights
Old Firm encounters in knockout competitions carry a weight that extends well beyond a place in the semi-finals. For Rangers, a home draw offers the chance to reassert domestic authority in front of their own supporters. For Celtic, a win at Ibrox — their third successive cup victory over their city rivals — would send a powerful statement about their continued grip on Scottish football's biggest occasions.
The broader picture for both clubs includes European commitments and a title race that barely pauses for breath, making squad depth and squad management crucial considerations heading into September. A noon kick-off limits some of the logistical pressures around the fixture, though the intensity inside Ibrox will be no less fierce for it.
Ticket arrangements for the match are understood to be under discussion, with further details expected to be confirmed by the clubs in due course.
Full Premier Sports Cup Quarter-Final Schedule
- Friday: Stenhousemuir v Heart of Midlothian
- Saturday: Ross County v Hibernian (Dingwall); Kilmarnock v Aberdeen (Rugby Park)
- Sunday 13 September, noon: Rangers v Celtic (Ibrox)
With the semi-finals to follow, all four winners will be looking ahead to what is traditionally one of the most coveted domestic prizes in Scottish football. For now, though, attention turns to a compelling last eight that offers intrigue well beyond the headline act.
Frequently asked
- When is Rangers v Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final?
- Rangers host Celtic at Ibrox at noon on Sunday 13 September in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final.
- What are the other Premier Sports Cup quarter-final fixtures?
- The other ties are Stenhousemuir v Heart of Midlothian on Friday, and Ross County v Hibernian and Kilmarnock v Aberdeen on Saturday.
- What happened when Rangers and Celtic met in the cups last season?
- Celtic beat Rangers on penalties in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final and also won on penalties in a Scottish Cup tie after a 0-0 draw at Ibrox, before losing the League Cup final to St Mirren.