Rangers vs Aberdeen preview: Team news, TV channel and kick-off time for Hampden semi-final

Rangers face Aberdeen at Hampden on Saturday with a place in the Premier Sports Cup final at stake and fresh defensive problems for Stephen Robinson.

Chris Cadden and Kristers Tobers have both been ruled out, adding to an Aberdeen absence list that already includes Mats Knoester, Lewis Mayo and the suspended Dan Happe. Rangers have their own fitness decision over midfielder Tochi Chukwuani.

Derek McInnes faces his former club after Rangers recovered a point at Hearts on Wednesday. Aberdeen arrive following defeat by Falkirk, but their cup campaign offers an opportunity to reach December’s final.

Team news checked on Friday 30 October 2026.

When is Rangers vs Aberdeen and what TV channel is it on?

Detail	Information
Competition	Premier Sports Cup semi-final
Date	Saturday 31 October 2026
Venue	Hampden Park
Kick-off	5.30pm GMT
UK television	Premier Sports 1
Coverage starts	5pm GMT
Live stream	Premier Sports online with a qualifying subscription

The SPFL has confirmed the semi-final arrangements. The winners will face Hearts or Hibernian in the final on Sunday 13 December. The Edinburgh clubs meet at Hampden on Sunday 1 November, with kick-off at 3pm.

Premier Sports 1 will show Saturday’s match, according to Aberdeen’s official preview. GlasgowWorld’s viewing guide reports that coverage begins half an hour before kick-off. Streaming is also available through Premier Sports online.

Rangers team news: Chukwuani a doubt

Chukwuani remains a doubt with a knee problem. McInnes said on Thursday that the midfielder would undergo a scan after reporting knee discomfort, according to the press-conference report. Chukwuani had appeared as a late substitute against Hearts on Wednesday.

The Rangers manager did not believe the problem was serious, but Chukwuani’s availability has not been confirmed. He scored as a substitute in Rangers’ 4-0 win over St Johnstone on 24 October, as recorded in Sky Sports’ match report.

Ross McCrorie, Cammy Devlin and Lawrence Shankland are all sidelined with hamstring injuries. Youssef Chermiti remains out with a knee injury, while Daisuke Yokota has a groin problem, according to Friday’s team-news update.

McInnes has also defended Emmanuel Fernandez following the Hearts match, saying responsibility for the performance belonged to the team, as reported on Thursday. He acknowledged Rangers had been second best during parts of the game while praising their response to falling behind.

Aberdeen team news: Cadden and Tobers ruled out

Aberdeen’s defensive options have narrowed further since Wednesday.

Cadden has a mild hamstring injury and will miss the semi-final. Robinson hopes Cadden could return for Aberdeen’s next Premiership match, at home to Hibernian on Saturday 7 November, although his availability remains uncertain.

That changes the position outlined in our earlier Chris Cadden injury report, when he was still considered a doubt.

Tobers is also unavailable after swelling in his knee. He returned to the matchday squad against Falkirk following a lengthy absence but remained an unused substitute.

Knoester and Mayo are out with thigh and foot injuries respectively, while Happe is suspended. Robinson said Happe was also suffering from illness. The Press and Journal’s Friday update confirms the latest setbacks.

Connor Ronan remains sidelined with a knee injury. Our Ronan injury report covers the initial diagnosis and specialist referral. Tony Yogane missed the Falkirk defeat through illness; his availability for Saturday remains unconfirmed in the latest team-news report.

Rangers seek a more complete performance

Rangers extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches in all competitions with the draw at Hearts, winning eight and drawing two, although the latest result required a late recovery.

As our Hearts 2-2 Rangers report details, Kevin Kelsy opened the scoring before Cláudio Braga and Calvin Miller put the hosts ahead. Olwethu Makhanya’s 89th-minute header rescued Rangers.

Their cup performances have been more decisive. Rangers beat St Mirren 5-1 before defeating Celtic 3-0 in the quarter-finals, scoring eight goals across those two ties, as detailed in Aberdeen’s official preview.

Aberdeen won their group, then eliminated Dundee and Kilmarnock. Kevin Nisbet scored twice against Dundee, while the quarter-final against Kilmarnock was settled by a penalty shoot-out.

Robinson looks for a response at Hampden

Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Falkirk was Aberdeen’s third defeat in four matches. Robinson has accepted criticism of those results, but believes his players can produce an upset.

In Aberdeen’s official match preview, he called for positive, forward-looking play and said his side would need to perform at their best against strong opposition.

McInnes has also warned against overlooking the Dons. Despite Aberdeen’s recent difficulties, he believes they are capable of a significant performance on the Hampden stage.