It's been a terrible season for the Old Firm – and Scottish football in general – but did the Scottish Cup semi-final show all is not lost?

Since Rangers and Celtic last met in August, both teams have parted company with their managers, and Hearts have surged clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Can the League Cup ignite their seasons?

W ith the possible exception of the very early weeks of the season, when Celtic and Rangers meet, it is usual for one of them to be hovering somewhere close to crisis. It is simply the nature of Scottish football, the overwhelming strength and remorseless antipathy of the Glasgow sides. When one is down, the other is presumably up.

BRENDAN RODGERS has resigned as Celtic manager. The move comes after the Hoops fell eight points behind Scottish Premiership league leaders Hearts, who beat Rodgers’ side 3-1 over the