The upcoming League Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic carries significant weight as both clubs seek to establish dominance early in the season. Scheduled for 12:00 BST at Ibrox, this match marks the first meeting of the two rivals this term, and former Rangers player Graeme Souness emphasizes the importance of this encounter as a chance for both sides to "put a marker down."

Celtic enters the match with a strong record, having won all six of their Scottish Premiership matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding only three. However, their recent European performance raises concerns, as they suffered a shocking 5-1 defeat to LASK after initially leading 4-0 in the Champions League play-off. Despite a narrow win against St Johnstone, Celtic's form has been inconsistent, prompting Scott Brown to stress the need for a quick start to silence the Ibrox crowd.

On the other hand, Rangers have found their footing after a rocky start, which included a draw and a loss in their first two league matches under new manager Derek McInnes. Following a decisive League Cup victory over St Mirren and four consecutive league wins, morale is improving. Yet, they too have faced European disappointment, exiting the Europa League and dropping into the Conference League, where they were eliminated by Jablonec.

Adding to the tension, this match will take place without any away fans due to a recent decision by the SPFL, following disturbances at previous encounters. This temporary measure aims to enhance safety and security, ensuring a focused atmosphere for what promises to be a thrilling derby.