Scottish roundup: Rangers match Celtic win but injuries cloud cup final buildup

Michael Beale revealed Malik Tillman, Ryan Jack and John Lundstram are “big doubts” for Rangers’ League Cup final against Celtic at Hampden Park next Sunday.

The midfield trio missed the 3-0 cinch Premiership win over Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena which kept them nine points behind the leaders, Celtic.

The Rangers captain, James Tavernier, grabbed a double, one from the spot, before the substitute Kemar Roofe added a third. The home side ended the game with 10 men after the midfielder Stéphane Omeonga was shown a second yellow card by the referee, David Dickinson, in the 77th minute.

As he turned his attention towards the Old Firm showdown, Beale, who has won 13 and drawn one since taking over as Rangers manager, said: “They are big doubts because they were not available today. Malik has a problem with his hamstring, Jacko has a problem with his calf and John with his ankle.

“I’m optimistic they will return to training at the back end of the week, with maybe Scott Arfield, but it will be touch and go.

“What you saw today might be what we have and I was delighted with what we got today from the players. I have had to take a few deep breaths when other players have gone down injured this week. But you have to trust your next group of players. Everything I needed to see today I saw. We will now wrap the boys up as we have a full week to prepare for the cup final.”

Ange Postecoglou stressed there were no doubts about Kyogo Furuhashi’s fitness for the final after the Celtic forward spent most of the 4-0 win over Aberdeen on the bench.

Furuhashi showed no ill effects from the shoulder injury that forced him off the previous weekend after he came on in the 71st minute.

“I just thought before the game it was good chance