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Celtic v Rangers: Six of the best Scottish Cup Old Firm derbies

Celtic v Rangers

When Celtic face Rangers in the Scottish Cup on Sunday, they will look to end a sequence which has seen them go almost a century without a semi-final win over their rivals in the competition.

The Premiership champions last overcame the Ibrox club at that stage in 1925 - 92 years ago - when their 5-0 victory set up a 2-1 final success against Dundee.

Since then, the pair have met six times in the penultimate round, with Celtic only avoiding defeat in one of those games as they drew 1-1 in 1960, before losing the replay 4-1.

That's not to say Rangers have had it all their own way in the Scottish Cup against Celtic. Far from it, in fact, even though they have also won the last two finals between the teams.

Indeed, Celtic have come out on top 23 times against their Old Firm opponents in the event compared with 16 victories on the other side.

Rangers players celebrate their penalty shoot-out win over Celtic
Image: Rangers won a penalty shoot-out between the sides at the same stage of the Scottish Cup last season

Nevertheless, they will be seeking to end a long wait for success against Rangers in the last four, particularly after a penalties defeat to them there just 12 months ago following a 2-2 draw.

With more than 400 competitive matches between the clubs now played, plenty of the best ones have come in the Scottish Cup.

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Ahead of the latest instalment this weekend, live on Sky Sports 2, here's a look at some of the most memorable previous clashes…

Live Scottish Cup Football

Celtic 5-0 Rangers, 21/03/25, semi-finals

While Celtic's 7-1 League Cup final win over Rangers in 1957 stands as the record scoreline between the clubs, their 5-0 success in 1925 is the biggest score in a Scottish Cup Old firm game. By that point, the trophy had eluded the Ibrox side for 22 years and the manner of this result showed they still had some way to go to get it back. Rangers actually had a good first 20 minutes but the first of three goals from Jimmy McGrory set Celtic on their way soon after. Played in front of a then Scottish record attendance of 101,700, Adam McLean and Alec Thomson completed the scoring.

Celtic 4-0 Rangers, 26/04/69, final

Celtic captain Billy McNeill put them ahead in their 4-0 Scottish Cup final win over Rangers in 1969
Image: Celtic captain Billy McNeill put them ahead in their 4-0 Scottish Cup final win over Rangers in 1969

Despite Celtic already winning the league and League Cup in the previous four weeks, Rangers were strong favourites when the sides met in the 1969 Scottish Cup final, largely due to the fact their opponents were missing several key players. Billy McNeill's early header set a tone though and two goals just before half-time from George Connelly and Bobby Lennox killed the game. Stevie Chalmers added a fourth to round off a handsome success as Jock Stein led his team to a domestic treble for the second time in just three seasons.

Rangers 1-0 Celtic, 31/03/92, semi-finals

David Robertson is shown a straight red card after just six minutes of Rangers' 1-0 Scottish Cup semi-final win over Celtic in 1992
Image: David Robertson is shown a straight red card after just six minutes of Rangers' 1-0 Scottish Cup semi-final win over Celtic in 1992

This win was remarkable for Rangers in the sense they played most of the match with just 10 men. With only six minutes gone, left-back David Robertson was shown a straight red card by referee Andrew Waddell for a bodycheck on Joe Miller deep in Celtic's half. The dismissal took Robertson by surprise as much as anyone, with the defender anticipating a yellow card instead, and his departure left Rangers on the back foot. Despite that, they rallied and went in front through Ally McCoist shortly before half-time then turned in a solid defensive display to keep their 1-0 lead.

Celtic 1-2 Rangers, 05/04/98, semi-finals

Ally McCoist dives to head Rangers in front against Celtic in their 1998 Scottish Cup final
Image: Ally McCoist dives to head Rangers in front against Celtic in their 1998 Scottish Cup final

With Hampden being rebuilt, a ballot was held to determine whether the Old Firm semi-final would be held at Celtic Park or Ibrox. The former was picked out, giving Celtic home advantage to an extent, although tickets were split evenly between the clubs. All the key moments came in the last 15 minutes, with McCoist's 27th and final derby goal putting Rangers in front after they had withstood swathes of pressure. A solo goal from German midfielder Jorg Albertz - which saw him run from his own half to score - sealed Rangers' win before Craig Burley pulled one back late on.

Celtic 2-3 Rangers, 04/05/02, final

Peter Lovenkrands secured the Scottish Cup for Rangers in 2002 with a stoppage-time winner against Celtic
Image: Peter Lovenkrands secured the Scottish Cup for Rangers in 2002 with a stoppage-time winner against Celtic

The most recent final between the two clubs in 2002 was a classic. Celtic struck first through John Hartson's header but Peter Lovenkrands levelled within two minutes later with his fourth Old Firm goal of the season. Bobo Balde restored Celtic's advantage but Rangers hit back again, with Barry Ferguson curling in a 20-yard free kick after hitting a post. From there the Ibrox side were stronger but struggled to get in front yet just as extra-time loomed, Neil McCann crossed for Lovenkrands to head in two minutes into stoppage time to claim the trophy for Dick Advocaat's team.

Rangers 2-2 Celtic and Celtic 1-0 Rangers, 06/02/11 and 02/03/11, fifth round

Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist clash at full-time after Celtic's 1-0 Scottish Cup replay win over Rangers in 2011
Image: Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist clash at full-time after Celtic's 1-0 Scottish Cup replay win over Rangers in 2011

El-Hadji Diouf started for Rangers after spitting at a Celtic fan in a 2003 UEFA Cup tie while playing for Liverpool and received a hostile reception from the away support at Ibrox but his corner led to a screaming 20-yard opener from Jamie Ness. Kris Commons levelled but Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster was sent off and Steven Whittaker's penalty put Rangers ahead again. Scott Brown made it 2-2, however, and celebrated in Diouf's face, something he's still revered for now. That meant a replay, which would have gone down as being largely uneventful but for a heated touchline row between coaches Lennon and McCoist after Mark Wilson gave Celtic a 1-0 win. Their clash was so hyped up it led to a government summit aimed at discussing disorder in Old Firm matches.

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