ALL of a sudden, Scottish football has a familiar look about, familiar that it is, if you can remember back to the late 1950s and 1960s when the Old Firm really did begin to dominate Scottish football.
It is a myth that absolutely every season of Scottish football has been dominated by the big two since the 1890s, but it’s a fact that in almost every season since World War II, either Celtic or Rangers has won any one, two or three of the League Championship or Scottish Cup or Scottish League Cup. The only seasons that the Old Firm drew a treble blank were 1951-52 and 1954-55. In every other season, one of them won at least one of the three domestic trophies. No club other than Celtic or Rangers has won the league title since Aberdeen did so in 1984-85, and we can already say it’s looking very likely that situation will continue this season.
No club other than Celtic has won any domestic trophy in the last three seasons, and that run will eventually come to an end, most likely in either of the cup competitions. One day Celtic will have a poor game and one of the other clubs will play well above themselves, but is that going to happen on Sunday at Hampden Park?
With Rangers having improved under Steven Gerrard, they are having a very good season and now have the chance to win their first major silverware since the disastrous events of 2012, though of course they did finish runners-up to Hibs in the 2016 Scottish Cup Final.
It is hugely important for Rangers to break Celtic’s run of trophy wins. Ten in a row would surely give Celtic a major psychological advantage for the rest of the season, especially since the Ibrox club has to go to Parkhead at the end of the month. Aberdeen finished runners-up to Celtic in the Premiership from 2014-15 to 2017-18, but Rangers took second last year and are now presenting a serious challenge to the champions. Losing the League Cup final would be a setback, however, though nothing compared to the rumoured loss of Scotland’s top scorer Alfredo Morelos in the January transfer window – if there really are serious eight-figure offers out there, Rangers would surely have to cash in on a man who, don’t forget, was a "steal" at £1 million two years ago.
Morelos has made no secret of his desire to play in England or in one of the big Continental leagues where his style of play would be appreciated even more than it is here – and having curbed that temper of his, he is very much more of a saleable prospect.
The Colombian is also one of the main keys to the final. If he can break his duck and finally score against Celtic that would indicate the holders’ defence would be weaker than before and Rangers would surely profit. If the Celtic defence can keep him out as before, then the cup will surely go to Parkhead because of their scoring potential.
It’s too close to call, but the player around whom this final revolves is Alfredo Morelos. A no show from Alfredo and it’s Celtic doing 10 in a row.
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