Scottish League cup

The Scottish League Cup: Who Will Lift the Trophy in 2023–24?

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The Scottish League Cup, also known as the Viaplay Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out football competition involving all 42 professional clubs in Scotland. The competition is steeped in history; it was first held in 1946–47 and remains the oldest national league cup in existence.

This season, the race for the prestigious trophy is heating up, with several contenders vying for glory. Let’s take a look at some of the teams with the highest chances of lifting the cup:

Rangers:

• The Rangers, the current champions and record holders with 28 wins, are the clear favorites heading into the competition.
• Led by the experienced Giovanni van Bronckhorst, they boast a strong squad with talented players like Alfredo Morelos and Glen Kamara.
• Their recent dominant 1-0 victory over Aberdeen in the final further solidifies their position as frontrunners.

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Rangers Football Club celebrates their victory in the Scottish League Cup

Celtic:

• The eternal rivals of Rangers and Celtic are always a force to be reckoned with in the Scottish Cup.
• Having won the competition 21 times, their hunger for a 22nd title will be immense.
• Under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou, they possess a dynamic attacking unit, with Kyogo Furuhashi and Liel Abada leading the charge.
• However, their recent inconsistency in the league raises some concerns about their ability to maintain momentum throughout the Cup competition.

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Hibernian:

• The “Hibees” have historically been strong contenders in the Scottish League Cup, reaching the final on no less than 12 occasions.
• This season, under the leadership of Lee Johnson, they have shown impressive form, currently sitting third in the league table.
• Players like Martin Boyle and Kevin Nisbet provide a potent attacking threat, making them a dangerous proposition for any opponent.

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Aberdeen:

• Despite narrowly losing the final to Rangers, Aberdeen shouldn’t be underestimated.
• Manager Jim Goodwin has instilled a strong defensive discipline in the team, making it difficult to break down.
• Players like Luis Lopes and Connor McLennan offer attacking spark, ensuring they can threaten on the counter-attack.

Dark Horses:

• Teams like Hearts, Dundee United, and Motherwell also have the potential to cause upsets and make a deep run in the competition.
• Their unpredictable nature and passionate fan base add an extra layer of excitement to the tournament.

Prediction:

While Rangers undoubtedly have the upper hand, the Scottish League Cup is known for its fair share of surprises. Celtic’s hunger for revenge, Hibernian’s impressive form, and Aberdeen’s defensive solidity all pose significant challenges. Ultimately, the team that manages to combine consistent performance with a bit of cup magic will have the best chance of lifting the trophy.