It’s set to be a gusty and chaotic affair at Hampden Park on Sunday, with gale-force winds threatening to play a major role in the showdown between Celtic and Rangers.
The latest weather forecast from the Met Office suggests that fans and players should brace themselves for a stormy afternoon in Glasgow’s south side. Winds are set to peak at 48 miles per hour during the game, while a 90% chance of rain will add to the challenging conditions.
Former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan weighed in on how the unpredictable conditions at Hampden could impact the game. Strachan highlighted the swirling winds at Hampden as a potential advantage for Rangers:
“It’s always a concern, no matter who you play. I’ve played in cup finals myself. You’re always thinking in the back of your mind, ‘We can lose this.’ We can lose this for whatever reason, because strange things happen in cup ties. Conditions can make a difference.
“Celtic Park is so enclosed that hardly any wind gets in, but Hampden does a different thing altogether. It’s put back, there’s wind swirling about all over the place. There’s all kinds of things that can happen.”
According to the Met Office, the winds are expected to reach speeds of up to 46mph when the game kicks off at 3:30 pm. Anything above 39mph is classified as a gale-force wind, meaning players will have to contend with unpredictable ball movement, swirling passes, and potentially chaotic set-pieces. These conditions could wreak havoc on tactics and game plans, forcing both Brendan Rodgers and Philippe Clement to adapt quickly.
With driving rain also in the forecast, visibility and ball control are set to be severely tested. Fans attending the match should prepare for a challenging afternoon, with waterproof gear and windbreakers a must to endure the wild Hampden weather.
Both managers will need to factor the weather into their preparations. Brendan Rodgers, aiming to reclaim the League Cup that eluded him last season, may look to exploit his team’s composure and technical ability to counteract the conditions.
It might stop Rangers’ long-ball, hoof football.
Despite the potential weather chaos, the stakes remain sky-high. Celtic, with their relentless domestic form, are gunning for their 22nd League Cup trophy. On the other hand, Rangers, under Clement, are aiming to defend the trophy and relieve the pressure on Clement.
