Rangers and Celtic Set Up High-Stakes Scottish Cup Final 2026 Path
Dunfermline Athletic and Falkirk have already secured places in the Scottish Cup semi-finals, and Sunday’s Old Firm quarter-final plus St Mirren v Partick Thistle will determine the other two semi-finalists. Sunday at 3: 00 p. m. ET, those results will narrow the field and shape the scottish cup final 2026 picture for the remaining clubs.
Scottish Cup Final 2026: Old Firm Quarter-Final to Decide Semi-Final Line-up
Rangers and Celtic meet in the quarter-finals after a recent 2-2 draw at Ibrox, a result that fed into both clubs’ momentum; Rangers enjoyed a dominant first-half performance in that draw, while Celtic fought back in the second half to salvage a point. Martin O’Neill’s Celtic followed that with a 2-1 win in Aberdeen, and Rangers earlier recorded 5-0 and 8-0 victories over Annan Athletic and Queen’s Park respectively, setting up a high-profile tie that will determine which Glasgow side advances toward the Scottish Cup Final 2026.
Dunfermline Athletic and Falkirk Already in Scottish Cup Semi-Finals
Dunfermline Athletic swept aside holders Aberdeen 3-0 to book their semi-final place, a result that sent Neil Lennon’s second-tier Pars through to Hampden. Falkirk also reached the last four; John McGlynn’s Bairns saw off Dundee United to secure their semi-final berth, leaving two remaining quarter-finals to complete the semi-final line-up.
St Mirren Versus Partick Thistle and Coverage of the Later Kick-Off
St Mirren will host Partick Thistle in the later kick-off being shown live by the, with Thistle aiming to make it two Championship sides in the last four. St Mirren already have the League Cup in the trophy cabinet but arrive at this tie under pressure after a 2-1 defeat at Dundee United left Stephen Robinson’s side only three points above Kilmarnock in the Premiership relegation play-off spot.
Still, Partick Thistle sit second in the Championship and will hope to upset the Paisley side to push their cup run further, while Rangers and Celtic focus on lifting a trophy that both clubs view as vital this season; Rangers are chasing a return to the final after last year’s loss, and Celtic seek to improve on last season’s defeat in the final.
Nine points separate Falkirk and Dundee United in the Premiership table context referenced in recent coverage, and United’s run of 12 draws in 29 league games has been highlighted as a factor that could influence cup form in the quarter-finals. Aberdeen’s recent run has also been scrutinised after losing 11 of their last 16 matches in other coverage of the competition.
More details on the semi-final draw are due this weekend; the semi-final draw is scheduled to take place this weekend, with more details expected Sunday at 3: 00 p. m. ET.
