It is now guaranteed that there will be no Glasgow derby Scottish Cup final this season, or even another Hampden derby before then.
Celtic and Rangers have been drawn together at the quarter final stage, with Celtic handed an away trip to Ibrox.
That single draw removes any chance of a Hampden meeting between the two this season and sets up a huge knockout tie with serious consequences for both sides.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – NOVEMBER 09: Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neil and Celtic coach Shaun Maloney during a William Hill premiership match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park, on November 09 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Paul Byars / Alamy Live News)
Neither team has had a smooth campaign,. This is not just about progressing to a semi final. It is about denying your biggest rival a route to silverware and salvaging momentum in a season that has been stop start for both clubs.
Celtic’s derby record this season has been mixed. The Hoops beat Rangers at Hampden earlier in the campaign, drew at Ibrox, and then lost at Celtic Park. Interestingly, the only victory came under Martin O’Neill, with both Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy failing to record a win in the fixtures they oversaw.
It sets up a punishing run of four consecutive away matches for Celtic:
Stuttgart away
Rangers away
Aberdeen away
Rangers away
That is a brutal sequence by any measure, combining European pressure, title implications, and a winner takes all Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox. Squad management, fitness, and mentality will all be tested to the limit.
The Scottish Cup quarter final is scheduled for the weekend of March 7, although it is still unclear whether the match will be played on the Saturday or Sunday. That detail will be confirmed in due course.
One thing to perhaps keep a look out for is how many tickets Celtic are allowed. The Scottish cup rule book allows visiting teams to claim up to 20% of the stadium capacity which would be well beyond the agreement in place for league games which is capped at just over 2k.
Could Celtic test the boundaries? The rule does state practical measures and police input would also come into consideration which could quell a larger Celtic presence.
There is no hiding place, no easier route, and no second chance. Win at Ibrox and a semi final at Hampden awaits. Lose, and the cup is gone, along with a major opportunity to build belief and momentum.
