Gary Neville has delivered a prediction that is already dividing Old Firm fans ahead of Sunday’s massive Scottish League Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox.
The Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United defender has boldly backed Rangers to beat Celtic and book their place in the semi-finals.
Speaking on air, Neville made his stance crystal clear.
“I think Rangers are going to win this one,” he said. “Ibrox on a cup day against Celtic is a different beast. The atmosphere will be fierce, the intensity will be through the roof, and I believe Derek McInnes’s side have enough to get the job done. I’m going for a Rangers victory.”
Neville did not stop there. He expanded on why he believes the home side can come out on top in one of the most anticipated fixtures of the Scottish season.
“Celtic have started the league season strongly and they look solid, but cup ties at Ibrox have a habit of writing their own script,” Neville continued. “Rangers have momentum, they have a full house behind them, and McInnes has them organised and difficult to break down. I think they can frustrate Celtic and take their chances when they come. Rangers to win.”
The prediction has sparked immediate reaction across social media and supporter forums. Rangers fans have seized on the endorsement from a high-profile English pundit, while Celtic supporters have dismissed it as typical outsider noise.
One Rangers account posted: “Gary Neville gets it. Ibrox will be bouncing and the boys will deliver. Believe.”
A Celtic fan hit back: “Neville talking nonsense as usual. Celtic are the better side and they’ll prove it again. Typical big-game bottlers at Rangers.”
Another neutral observer noted: “This is exactly the kind of comment that adds extra spice. Neville backing Rangers at home is going to wind up one half of Glasgow and fire up the other.”
Neville acknowledged the difficulty of the fixture while standing by his call.
“I’m not saying it will be easy,” he added. “Celtic are a very good team with quality all over the pitch. Martin O’Neill has them well drilled. But in these games the crowd can be a twelfth man, and Ibrox at full volume is something special. I think Rangers feed off that energy and find a way to win.”
The timing of the prediction has only heightened interest in the tie. Both clubs head into the quarter-final in solid form, with Rangers looking to build on recent league wins and Celtic aiming to maintain their early-season dominance. A place in the last four of the League Cup is at stake, and the first Old Firm meeting of the season always carries extra significance.
Neville’s bold call has given supporters on both sides plenty to discuss in the final days before kick-off. For Rangers fans it offers external validation of their belief that this could be the day they finally get the better of their rivals in a cup setting. For Celtic supporters it has provided extra motivation to silence the doubters.
Whether Neville’s prediction proves accurate will be decided on the Ibrox pitch on Sunday. What is already certain is that his words have ensured the build-up to this quarter-final is louder, more passionate, and more divided than ever.
Rangers or Celtic? Gary Neville has made his choice. Now the football will do the talking.
