Match Pictures | Matches: 2024 – 2025
Trivia
- KO: 15:30: Sunday; Premier Sports TV
- League Cup final
- Scorelines 3-3 at Full-time, 3-3 after extra-time, Celtic win 5-4 on penalties, Sevco missed one penalty, Celtic scored all theirs.
- Celtic win their 119th major trophy!
- First time Celtic have defeated Sevco in a League Cup final on penalties. Only other League Cup final with Celtic on penalties was the defeat to Raith Rovers.
- Penalties: Sevco won the coin toss and their fans got to watch the Penalty shoot out at their end to see their defeat up close! Celtic even took the penalties second which is not recommended by researchers! So even with all that advantage and they still lost! Truly rubbed in the pain.
- James Forrest: The League Cup is his 25th Celtic trophy. He now shares the club record with the legendary Bobby Lennox.
- Sevco far behind in the league (after 15 games Celtic +11pts & far superior GD ahead of Sevco) so their only likely chance of silverware is cups.
- Trolling from the Green Brigade: “Making Rangers Greet Again” in response to the Union Bears “Make Rangers Great Again” MAGA banner + “Celtic at Work 119 Trophies” flag.
- Sevco fans claim penalty was not given but referee appeared to have blown for a foul before Cerny advanced towards penalty box thinking it was prime advantage & unlike in the St Johnstone cup game where ref misled the players, Beaton actually blew his whistle whilst indicating foul referee John Beaton blew for a foul before Cerny advanced towards penalty box thinking it was prime advantage & unlike in the St Johnstone cup game where ref misled the players, Beaton actually blew his whistle whilst indicating foul.
Post match: the weekly VAR review stated that on review that the penalty should have been awarded : The VAR officials felt the moment was “close, but just outside the area” and ref John Beaton gave the free-kick.Celtic’s Paulo Bernardo also clamped the penalty claims and insisted his side were open to moving past the controversy.Now, though, head of referee Willie Collum has explained that the VAR team got it WRONG and that it should, indeed, have been a penalty.To the point that Beaton need not have even been called to the monitor as it should have been a “factual overturn.” bottom line is that it’s a clear honest error, sadly being overlooked by many from Ibrox. - Celtic’s day in numbers… 1 First Celtic win in a final penalty shootout v any Rangers 13 Germany (Kuhn) – 13th nationality to score for Celtic in a League Cup Final 22 Celtic’s 22nd League Cup win 119 Celtic have won 119 major trophies
- Trouble in town, some running battle (mainly the Sevco Ultras) v the police, but not pleasant in this time when families out for Xmas shopping. Missiles were thrown at police and one officer was injured during a disturbance on Argyle Street. The Ultras & their Corteos (both sides) are losing faith from some sections of the support. Major calls to stop pyro, but there was plenty of it today through the match (both ends).
- A week earlier Clements stated that Celtic and Tottenham are ‘out of Rangers (sic!) league’ financially which caused a stir amongst the Sevco fans.
- World Cup: Fifa confirm Saudi Arabia as 2034 hosts; Spain, Portugal and Morocco joint hosts for 2030.
- Reports: Bologna, Club Brugge & RB Salzburg all interested in Celtic youth striker Daniel Cummings and have sent scouts to watch him closely. EPL clubs also monitoring the 18yo.
- Shirt sponsor: contract extension with shirt sponsor Dafabet will make them longest-running shirt partnership in Celtic’s history.
Summary
“A cup final for the ages won by Daizen Maeda in a penalty shootout”
Premier Sports @PremSportsTV
“This is a club that’s been organically grown. We haven’t been handed money. This is something that’s been grown. That has allowed us to win and, when you win, that brings more success. For us, that is all I’m interested in. The club is in a brilliant position, but it’s all been earned.”
Brendan Rodgers prematch
“I think when you’re really successful it’s within your culture. You’ve got to keep fighting and working everyday. The guys on the penalties were fantastic and we pulled through in the end. We deserved to win the trophy but you have to go and earn it.”
Brendan Rodgers post-match
“It gives us something tangible to show for how well we’ve started the season and it can be a real springboard for us.”
Callum McGregor: We showed great personality to win the League Cup
@joebloggscity of thecelticwiki:
Both sides returned from European competition during the week, but domestically the league title challenge is really over with the gap between Celtic and the rest likely now too wide to wholly close out (Celtic’s squad is too strong). Sevco had come into this match on a return to form so expectations were for a less one sided match than last meeting, whilst the cups are also Sevco’s only chance for silverware.
But what a head to head match that will be spoken about for years. By no means a vintage tactical match but undeniably a nerve shredding match that saw some peculiar turns that the stats don’t particularly reflect correctly what happened. Celtic dominated in possession but could have made more of it. Sevco had supposedly more shots on goal, but really misleading as many were not challenging shots.
The key difference today was mistakes, with four of the goals due to errors or poor luck: one deflected goal each and one disastrous bit of defensive play from each creating a goal.
Taylor was at fault for the first conceded goal that let Sevco go into the break one up after a poor pass across to his teammates was well read by the opposition who took advantage to steal possession and score. He made up with it by scoring the equaliser (albeit by deflection). Maeda stole the ball soon after from the Sevco defence, then with some brilliant control to score the take Celtic 2-1 up. Annoyingly, Sevco equalised partly thanks to a small deflection by Kyoto that otherwise would have been a shot saved by Schmeichel, but credit it was a very good turn & shoot by the Sevco player to get the shot in & score.
Best goal was scored by Kuhn which should have settled the match late on close to the death, which started from Celtic’s goalkeeper with some fine play taking the ball up field, with Kuhn & Engels linking up to score a truly class goal. Engels in particular deserved great credit for his part in it. Move starting in our half and played brilliantly with Kuhn to lay the ball off to him perfectly misdirecting the Hun defence.
Only for Celtic to then conceded a final equaliser 30 seconds later! (It could have been better dealt with).
One key moment was incredibly when Carter-Vickers was left stranded on a one v Four players situation and really it was set for a certain Sevco goal, only for Carter Vickers to incredibly shepherd & control the situation, put in a timely tackle and somehow save the situation! Incredible bit of play & commitment. How many other players anywhere in the world could have matched the same? Most would have admitted defeat upfront.
Extra-time was mostly Celtic dominated with Sevco clearly happy to waste time take it to penalties, and they won the toss to take the penalty shoot out to the “Rangers End”.
Scoring all our penalties was an incredible achievement for Celtic (can’t think of 100% record beforehand from Celtic), with Yilmaz having his chance for Sevco saved by Schmeichel. Maeda scored the final penalty but humbly he later claimed it was a mishit (but still went in).
The celebrations at the final whistle sparked some incredible scenes (with only a few eejits spoiling things by running onto the pitch). A number of fans ran onto the track side but stayed off the pitch and created a carnival atmosphere.
The team had overcome another major domestic obstacle this day, after the tough matches v Aberdeen and defeating Sevco in the league earlier. Good to see varioius players back on form. Trusty was taken off at half-time to bring on Scales in a tactical move to make Celtic more attacking. Did it work? Can be argued both ways. Johnstone clearly appeared to be a man who hadn’t trained for days after injury (as was the case), but all else were on top form.
Admittedly Celtic lost three goals, and that’s a bit of concern, especially as they could have been avoided. Sevco did do well in midfield and so there is still much room for improvement at Celtic.
Sevco played to their absolute best, maximising every strength they had in a fantastically contested final.Celtic mostly showed up, at times, some fantastic individual performances, but not a great team performance.At their best, they could only match us on an off day.
Incredible tension and relief on the day with Celtic the winners and continuing our hegemony in the titles. A real heart stopping match but Celtic deserved marginally on the day.
Inside The SPFL @AgentScotland Congratulations to Rangers, it has to be acknowledged, out of all the finals Celtic have pumped them in, this was their best performance, one of their biggest achievements. First runners up, a big medal for those players.
Cameron Carter-Vickers is Celtic’s best CB in my lifetime, he might not have the ability of some who’ve played there but I’ve not seen a more consistent player at the heart of their defence, his timing is impeccable, cool as a cucumber, and a total a colossus in battle.
Daizen Maeda will go down as an all time great Celtic player, gives absolutely everything anytime he’s on the football pitch & when it truly matters he always delivers, a warrior to the truest extent, an unbelievable teammate, and a man with ice in his veins. Bedlam in here btw.
Etims on Maeda: A beautiful human being. To be loved, cherished and adored. Limitations more than made up for by an incredible drive to never stop working at 120mph for his team. An icon for our ages. All Hail Hail the glorious
Teams
Celtic:
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 – 3 – 3
01 K. Schmeichel
03 G. Taylor, subbed for Álex Valle at 90mins
06 A. Trusty, subbed for L. Scales at 46mins
20 C. Carter-Vickers 90’+2, Yellow Card at 90mins plus 2
02 A. Johnston, subbed for A. Ralston at 70mins
41 R. Hatate
42 C. McGregor (c), Captain
28 Paulo Bernardo, subbed for A. Engels at 71mins
38 D. Maeda
08 K. Furuhashi 67′, Yellow Card at 67mins, subbed for A. Idah at 76mins
10 N. Kühn, subbed for J. Forrest at 105mins
Subs:
27 A. Engels
49 J. Forrest
09 A. Idah
07 L. Palma
56 A. Ralston
05 L. Scales 93′ ET, Yellow Card at 93mins extra time
12 V. Sinisalo
11 Álex Valle
13 Yang Hyun-Jun
Goals:
G. Taylor (56′)
D. Maeda (60′)
N. Kühn (87′)
Assists:
L. Scales (56′),
A. Engels (87′)
TheRangers
Manager: Philippe Clement
Formation: 4 – 2 – 3 – 1
01 J. Butland
22 Jefté 44′, Yellow Card at 44mins, subbed for R. Yılmaz at 61mins
04 R. Pröpper
27 L. Balogun 24′, Yellow Card at 24mins, subbed for D. Sterling at 67mins
02 J. Tavernier (c), Captain90’+4, Yellow Card at 90mins plus 4
43 N. Raskin 90’+1, Yellow Card at 90mins plus 1
10 M. Diomande, subbed for C. Barron at 105mins
30 I. Hagi 111′ ET, Yellow Card at 111mins extra time
14 N. Bajrami, subbed for Danilo at 86mins
18 V. Černý, subbed for K. Dowell at 105mins
29 H. Igamane 95′ ET, Yellow Card at 95mins extra time, subbed for C. Dessers at 101mins
Subs:
08 C. Barron
09 C. Dessers 102′ ET, Yellow Card at 102 minutes extra time
20 K. Dowell
21 D. Sterling 107′ ET, Yellow Card at 107 minutes extra time
31 L. Kelly
38 L. King
45 R. McCausland
99 Danilo
03 R. Yılmaz
Goals:
N. Bajrami (41′)
M. Diomande (75′)
Danilo (88′)
Assists:
H. Igamane (75′), V. Černý (88′)
Referee John Beaton
Video Assistant Referee Alan Muir
Assistant Referee 1 David McGeachie
Assistant Referee 2 Jonathan Bell
Assistant VAR Official Frank Connor
Venue:Hampden Park
Attendance:49,420
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Overall Possession
Celtic 66.6% Rangers 33.4%
Shots
Celtic 10 Rangers 19
Shots on target
Celtic 7 Rangers 8
Total touches in the box
Celtic 32 Rangers 28
Goalkeeper saves
Celtic 5 Rangers 4
Fouls
Celtic 14 Rangers 22
Corners
Celtic 5 Rangers 9
Articles
Cruel Celtic persecution of Rangers – why this cup win means more as dancing dad steals show
Alan Pattullo
By Alan Pattullo
Specialist Sports Writer
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtics-cruel-persecution-of-rangers-hits-new-levels-why-this-cup-win-means-more-as-dancing-dad-steals-show-4910117
Comments
Published 16th Dec 2024, 07:00 GMT
Celtic claim historically significant Hampden victory
“Eyes on the prize,” commanded the banner at the Rangers end of the ground. Once the pyro smoke had stopped swirling – quite a long, long time after it, in fact – and with the Ibrox side having been cruelly permitted to believe things might turn out differently this time, Celtic kept their nerve to swipe the League Cup from the grasp of their rivals. They have also succeeded in putting clear daylight between themselves and Rangers in this ancient story of oneupmanship.
While Brendan Rodgers’ side were taken to the very brink, they showed they had no intention of being deflected from their purpose. Part of this objective seems to involve finding new and ever more cruel ways of rubbing Rangers’ nose in it. After Adam Idah’s last-minute winner in the Scottish Cup final, here was a more psychologically complex way of eviscerating the Ibrox side, who had pegged them back twice – with two minutes of normal time left in the latter case – having also taken the lead.
With so much on the line, it was hardly surprising that both sides proved so unwilling to yield. The teams shared six goals in a thriller for the ages before Daizen Maeda, who had already struck with a thrilling solo effort to underline his status as hammerer of Rangers, walked towards the penalty mark at 6.19pm with the chance to secure a lot more than just the League Cup.
Celtic players celebrate after winning the Premier Sports Cup final following a penalty shoot-out against Rangers. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)
Celtic players celebrate after winning the Premier Sports Cup final following a penalty shoot-out against Rangers. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group
The players had not only been playing for themselves and their teammates but also the ghosts of yesteryear who had worn the colours. The trophy count stood at Rangers 118 Celtic 118 at kick off. It remained on that knife edge until a penalty shootout to end all penalty shootouts. No pressure, lads.
In the circumstances, the quality of the kicks was exceptional. The first six were all tucked tidily away. Then up stepped substitute Ridvan Yilmaz, who saw Kasper Schmeichel dive low to his left to claw out the young Turk’s effort.
Reo Hatate converted the next effort before some confusion reigned. Nobody from the Rangers players strung out along the halfway line took a step forward. Instead, goalkeeper Jack Butland hung around the spot. It soon became clear that he would take the next, crucial kick. He had to score and did, with a well-struck effort into the corner. Still, it perhaps says everything about this Rangers team that they were relying on the goalie at such a pivotal stage.
Butland was still the man shouldering their hopes a few moments later, though in more orthodox style. He was their last chance unless Maeda missed the target. The winger didn’t. He put the ball in, to Butland’s right. Celtic now move ahead of their great rivals on major honours for the first time since the late 1930s.
Rangers left-back Ridvan Yilmaz is consoled by his team-mates after missing the crucial penalty in the shootout defeat to Celtic. Cr: SNS Group.
Rangers left-back Ridvan Yilmaz is consoled by his team-mates after missing the crucial penalty in the shootout defeat to Celtic. Cr: SNS Group. | SNS Group
Ange Postecoglou, perhaps watching in a hotel on the south coast prior to Tottenham Hotspur’s duel with Southampton, might have allowed himself a wry smile. Over 18 months since leaving Celtic and just a few days after reacquainting himself with life in this particular goldfish bowl when returning to Ibrox with his current team, the Australian was still having a say in an Old Firm derby.
Maeda and Reo Hatate, two gifts left from his time in charge, converted penalties with the former also putting his team 2-1 in front. Kyogo Furuhashi, another Ange recruit, also made his mark, if not in the way expected. The Japanese striker had one of his quieter games before watching in horror as Mohamed Diomande’s shot clipped off his foot to make it 2-2 with 16 minutes left. It was Kyogo’s last touch before being replaced by Idah.
What a game this was and it was not over yet. Not by a long shot. It was already gearing up to be an all-time classic. Billowing smoke from pyro devices smuggled in by both sets of fans delayed the start. “No tifo more pyro,” was the unequivocal message from Celtic fans, or at least those associated with their Green Brigade corps.
On this issue at least the Rangers supporters seemed to be firmly in accordance. Reports were already filtering through of running battles in the city centre. Fans flinging fireworks at each other was one eye-opening detail. Mercifully, they resisted doing so inside the ground. The players traded goals instead on an afternoon that produced so many positive vignettes. Danilo’s dad dancing – as in the Rangers striker’s dad, yes, dancing – was among the most memorable. The substitute rescued Rangers to prompt some samba moves in the area reserved for players’ families.
SNS Group
Two minutes earlier Nicolas Kuhn had scored what seemed certain to be Celtic’s winner after 86 minutes, when he calmly side-footed past a ruck of bodies after Arne Engels had played the killer cutback following a sweeping move. Danilo, who had replaced Nedim Bajrami after 85 minutes, got in front of Anthony Ralston to head home Vaclav Cerny’s penetrating cross to send his old man reeling down a flight of Hampden stairs. The fact Danilo Snr was stretching a Rangers scarf above his head at the same time made this feat all the more impressive.
Maybe this was going to be Rangers’ day after all. Bajrami had given the Ibrox side the lead after tapping home. Schmeichel could only touch to one side a shot from Hamza Igamane, with Greg Taylor gifting possession to the striker following a loose pass.
The Celtic full back redeemed himself with the equaliser nine minutes after half time, with his effort helped by a deflection off Nico Raskin. And then merry hell broke loose, with Maeda putting his side in front after the unfortunate Raskin was short with a header.
The only surprise in extra-time was that no further goals were scored with tired legs increasing the likelihood of mistakes. Rangers manager Philippe Clement argued afterwards that the greatest blunder of all was the failure to award his side a penalty when Liam Scales tugged Cerny’s shirt on the edge of the box. Referee John Beaton awarded only a free-kick, from which Rangers failed to profit. Their torment goes on.
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cdd6e6yrr04t#Report
Celtic lift the League CupImage source, PA Media
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter at Hampden
Celtic were pushed to the absolute limit before extending their domestic dominance in a thrilling Scottish League Cup final derby against Rangers that was ultimately decided on penalties.
After six successful spot-kicks in the shootout, Rangers defender Ridvan Yilmaz’s low effort was saved by Kasper Schmeichel and, although goalkeeper Jack Butland netted the holders’ next kick, Daizen Maeda converted to seal the trophy for Celtic.
The triumph – following an epic 3-3 draw after extra time – extends manager Brendan Rodgers’ record of never having lost at Hampden and leaves Ibrox counterpart Philippe Clement still searching for his first derby victory.
It also moves Celtic ahead of the silverware haul of their old rivals for the first time since the 1930s.
All that only tells a small part of the story in what was an incredible cup final. Celtic got there, as they normally do, but this could have gone either way.
This was a similar Rangers that squared up to Tottenham Hotspur in midweek. It needed to be and their reward was an invaluable half-time lead.
Six goals, 10 pens & 120 minutes of Old Firm chaos
Published
14 hours ago
All the latest Celtic news & views
Everything you need to know about Rangers
That came from Greg Taylor’s error, something Rangers forced as they harried and harrassed Celtic all over the park.
Nedim Bajrami gathered and fed Hamza Igamane. His shot was parried by Kasper Schmeichel and Bajrami touched in the loose ball not long before half-time.
At that stage, Rangers looked to have got this one absolutely right. Celtic had all the questions to answer.
What followed was bedlam. Two fighters, slugging it out until one could no longer continue.
Taylor was redeemed shortly after the break as his shot from the edge of the area deflected off Nicolas Raskin and past Butland.
That sparked something of a Celtic swarm. They smelled blood and, when Raskin casually nodded back toward Balogun, Maeda was ruthless to fire Celtic ahead.
The Ibrox side looked rocked. But, Celtic took a step back, Rangers took another forward and Mohamed Diomande turned and netted to level.
From there, it went back and forth with sheer will looking more decisive than any genuine quality.
It seemed Celtic’s name would adorn this trophy, though, when Nicolas Kuhn linked with Arne Engels and found space to fire in what seemed destined to be the winner.
But inside a minute, Rangers found another incredible equaliser.
It was Danilo, so frustrated by injury for so long, who leapt to meet Vaclav Cerny’s cross and gleefully haul his side back on terms.
Rangers’ energy-sapping display against Spurs on Thursday came to mind during extra time, with Celtic having been afforded more rest after a Tuesday outing.
That told as Celtic finished the stronger, pinning Rangers back in their own half, but neither side could strike a decisive blow even though the Ibrox side claimed for a penalty when Liam Scales tugged back Vaclav Cerny.
But that moment came and went. As did the shootout.
Penalties require nerve, heroes and villains. Schmeichel was the hero. Yilmaz the unfortunate villain and Celtic were once more triumphant.
Celtic pushed to maximum
Celtic players during the penalty shootoutImage source, SNS
Winning is a habit and Celtic maintained that by the thinnest of margins.
Rodgers’ side came into this utterly dominant domestically and, for many in their support, there would be only one outcome here.
The idea this would be a formality quickly evaporated, though. More so after they fell behind.
It became a slug-fest in which will to win may have been the most important characteristic. Celtic have that, to go with their ability.
Big players win big matches and Celtic have an abundance of them, too. Maeda has tormented Rangers in the past but his influence was muted until his big moment.
Kuhn seized on his as well and must have thought he’d delivered the ultimate landmark moment in a season littered with them. Not today.
Celtic were pushed and pushed and pushed. They were never allowed to settle into their rhythm. Too often they were hurried into errors and that cost them the opener.
Fortune favoured them with Taylor’s deflected leveller but champions take charge and that is what Celtic did when Rangers were rocked.
They found a way and that is all that matters. Far, far from their best, but they got the job done to inflict more anguish on their old foes.
Rangers roused but fall just short
Clement and his players needed to turn up and signal this would be no formality.
They did exactly that and much, much more. Anyone wondering if Rangers are progressing have more than enough evidence on this viewing.
In an incredible final, they showed tactical nous, discipline, determination, and crucially, no inferiority complex whatsoever.
With so much at stake, Rangers could not shirk this challenge. They stood up.
They played with a freedom and purpose, for the most part, and showed incredible mentality to twice come from behind after leading at half-time.
They more than matched Celtic, something they have struggled to do. But this will hurt and adds more pain for these supporters and players.
They can take enormous positives but, given their league position, to be so close and let this chance slip will undoubtedly be damaging.
What they said
Media caption,
‘Most important thing is being on the podium at the end’ – Rodgers
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: “I thought Rangers played well in the first half and we had to show heart to come back.
“I think when you’re really successful it’s within your culture. You’ve got to keep fighting and working everyday. The guys on the penalties were fantastic and we pulled through in the end.
“We deserved to win the trophy but you have to go and earn it.”
Rangers manager Philippe Clement: “Football can be amazingly great and fun, but it can also be cruel, and this was a really cruel one.
“I think my team deserved more today. They created more than the opponent, they came back in a good way and then losing with penalties – it’s a casino game.
“You want to win the trophy but we’d need to do a lot of things extra to get it on our side if you don’t get a penalty like that.”
Six goals, 10 pens & 120 minutes of Old Firm chaos
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c205wnd0xego
Celtic players celebrateImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Celtic have lost just one game this season, defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League
Tom English
BBC Scotland’s chief sports writer at Hampden
Published
15 December 2024
On a day of six goals, 11 bookings, 12 substitutions and 120 minutes of cup final bonkerdom, into penalties they went.
Chests were wheezing, legs cramping, hearts fluttering, rain falling. “Carnage, just carnage” as the Celtic defender Liam Scales said in the aftermath.
The tension, the drama, the lost-soul demeanour of Ridvan Yilmaz as he walked back to the halfway line having had his penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel.
The sight of Jack Butland, the Rangers goalkeeper, then having to score against Schmeichel to keep his team alive in the shoot-out, which he did.
Then the suspense as Daizen Maeda stood over that last kick, the big opportunity to finally put a gallant Rangers to sleep, which he took. Unerringly.
Maeda carries himself like a man who laughs in the face of pressure, who pokes a finger in the eye of stressful situations such as this. At no point did you really get a feeling that he was going to miss.
That’s not being wise after the event. This was in real time. Maeda looked like he was in his element. He was oh so cool in the final seconds of a final that for big chunks reached epic proportions.
Celtic beat Rangers on penalties after epic
More Celtic reaction & have your say
What are they saying in the Rangers camp?
‘Of all Old Firm blows, this has to be most painful’
Rangers looked stunned and sickened, as well they might. Of all the blows that Celtic have inflicted on them in recent seasons, this has to be the most painful.
Worse, surely, than last season’s Scottish Cup final, secured at the death by Adam Idah. That had been a scrap. On that day, Rangers hadn’t delivered anything like the goals and moments they came up with on Sunday.
More grievous than the Scottish Cup semi-final in April 2023 won by Jota? For sure.
More sickening in its own way than the 3-0s and 4-0s visited upon them in the time of Ange Postecoglou and earlier this season? You have to think so. Those were heavy beatings with no excruciating what-might-have-beens attached.
Regret was the difference.
At 1-0 at Hampden on Sunday, and with Celtic a rattled version of their usual selves, Rangers broke free and had a four-on-one. Hamza Igamane was in control of the ball with men running free outside him.
Had he made the right decision, it was a one-on-one with Schmeichel from point-blank range. He didn’t. He made a bad call. Sliding doors. A possible 2-0 went begging.
There was more. Three minutes into the first period of extra time, Scales tugged Vaclav Cerny so microscopically close to the penalty box that Philippe Clement complained later about a lack of VAR intervention. He had a point.
Rangers folk may feel tortured by those what-if moments as much as the missed penalty much later on.
As Celtic lifted the trophy, most Rangers fans had already exited, presumably having had a bellyful of disappointment for one day. Only Butland and Cyriel Dessers took it in from the touchline. Suckers for punishment, perhaps.
Media caption,
Clement’s phone ‘overloaded with penalty’ incident
Rangers had a checklist of things that they had to get right to make a proper final of this and one by one they ticked them off.
Score first – they did it having not done it in their previous six games against Celtic.
It was their first goal against Rodgers’ team in more than four hours of football, the first time they were ahead against Celtic in more than nine hours.
What else was on their must-do sheet?
Shut down the wounding influence of McGregor – they did that.
Show ruthlessness in front of goal – yes.
Silence Kyogo Furuahshi – done.
Bring the intensity and work rate and aggression and character of Thursday against Tottenham to Hampden – achieved, with bells and whistles attached.
Tick, tick, tick. Character? They had it in spades.
When Greg Taylor, villain turned hero, and then Maeda transformed a 0-1 into a 2-1, it looked like Celtic had finally got hold of things. We thought we knew which way this was heading at that point, but we hadn’t a clue.
Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande had put in towering performances in hustling and harrying and living in the face of a Celtic midfield that has brought ruination to their door so often – and it was Diomande who levelled.
With 15 minutes of normal time left, it was 2-2. With three minutes left, it was 3-2 Celtic.
Twenty one seconds after the restart it was 3-3, Danilo’s header extending the final and hammering home the point that Rangers have found something of late, a bit of steel and a bit of belief. But no trophy to go with it.
‘Celtic’s mental strength is thing of wonder’
Media caption,
‘Most important thing is being on the podium at the end’ – Rodgers
Incredibly, McGregor has never lost a cup final, but “it was mighty close today,” he said. The captain was as relieved as he was honest.
“The performance wasn’t great, so we had to grind it out. We had to hold our nerve. Even when you’re not perfect, you can still win. Dig in. Find something extra.”
Pyro, predictably, reappeared and kick-off was delayed, two more fingers being raised by the ultras to their own clubs and to the footballing authorities who practically begged them to behave. More charges pending from the SPFL? Let’s see.
When the action began, it was toe-to-toe. Rangers were physical and uncompromising.
Amid the maelstrom, Taylor lost his head, played a square ball that was a bad idea and also poorly executed in any event and that was the catalyst for the opener.
The omens were good for Rangers. Only four teams who have scored first in the last 49 League Cup finals have failed to win the trophy. But stats don’t take into account Celtic’s steepling self belief.
They were in trouble – no space, no control, not many chances – but they found their way out of it. Celtic’s mental strength is a thing of wonder. They were nowhere near their best and yet they have another title to their name.
The shoot-out came and with it came memories of Rangers’ in the Europa League denouement in Seville against Eintracht Frankfurt. Aaron Ramsey, then. Yilmaz now.
Schmeichel did his thing. There was gamesmanship in the way he tried to put off some Rangers penalty takers. There were some mocking words in reply from Ianis Hagi after he buried his kick past the Dane.
Ultimately, this odyssey came down to Yilmaz versus Schmeichel and Maeda versus Butland. Celtic won, by a whisker or by a mile, it doesn’t really matter.
A different kind of victory from before, but the same feelgood in one dressing room and presumably the same silence and despair in the other. Sporting drama at its best .
‘Switch flicked’ but Rangers still left with regrets
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cdd6zzmd374o
Philippe Clement and his Rangers playersImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Philippe Clement is yet to beat Celtic as Rangers manager
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland
Published
3 hours ago
When the Rangers players emerged from the tunnel at Hampden Park, they were greeted by a banner among their support that read ‘Eyes on the prize’.
For 120 minutes – plus penalties – against Celtic, their focus on winning the League Cup trophy was certainly intense.
Only a matter of weeks ago, finding a sizable section of fans with confidence that Phillipe Clement’s side would retain their silverware would have been a struggle.
But, as former Ibrox striker Billy Dodds said on BBC Sportsound “a switch has been flicked” in recent times.
“Three weeks ago, something changed. Rangers were ready for this,” he added.
“Now they have to prove that the bar has been set and it’s the long-term vision.”
Celtic beat Rangers on penalties to win epic six-goal League Cup final
Six goals, 10 pens & 120 minutes of Old Firm chaos
Published
14 hours ago
Football fans throw missiles in pre-match violence
Attribution
News
Published
17 hours ago
‘Rangers miles ahead of last derby’
A myriad reasons contributed to the lack of belief among Rangers’ most ardent admirers as autumn turned to winter.
The lead, which now stands at 11 points, Celtic hold in the league was one. The inconsistency of Rangers was another. And the routine manner in which Brendan Rodgers’ side brushed aside their rivals in September strengthened the sentiment.
This was nothing like that 3-0 defeat, though.
Even when Rangers went 2-1 down having taken the lead at the national stadium, they didn’t look out. Their heads didn’t drop and they didn’t retreat into their familiar cocoon to allow Celtic to dominate.
Even Celtic defender Liam Scales credited Rangers for “the battle” they brought and the “carnage” that ensued.
According to Dodds, they showed “the right mental strength” to take into a game against the league champions, while another former Ibrox player, Neil McCann, said they “were miles ahead of where they were” in September.
Seldom do the losing team in a cup final come out with so much praise, but Rangers’ impressive, passionate and energetic performance led former Scotland defender Willie Miller to describe it as “a good cup final” for them.
“If being defeated in a cup final can be a good thing, that is,” Miller added.
“I think Phillipe Clement can rightly say that they played well and he can put forward a case to the fans that his players are beginning to respond to what he wants them to do.”
Penalty incident ‘weird’ for Clement
Media caption,
Clement’s phone ‘overloaded with penalty’ incident
For now, the only case Clement is putting forward is to ask why his side were not awarded a penalty in the second half.
Vaclav Cerny’s shirt was tugged and his foot clipped by Scales, leading to the award of a free-kick just outside the Celtic box.
However, Clement says he received “hundreds of messages” about the incident, suggesting the foul was on the line of the box and should have been a penalty.
“I don’t know if you saw the images back, but my phone is overloaded with the penalty situation,” the Rangers manager said.
“I’ve had hundreds of messages about that decisive moment. The referee cannot see that moment, but he didn’t get the VAR communication to come to the screen, which is weird for me.”
What was out of sorts for McCann and fellow Sportscene pundit Scott Allan, though, was the lack of outrage from those in blue.
McCann was “amazed the Rangers players weren’t going berserk”, while Allan was perplexed that “Cerny didn’t make much noise himself”.
There were plenty of cries from the stands, dugout and pitch alike, though, when Rangers did not make the most of a four-on-one breakaway.
Cerny – having pinched possession – played through Hamza Igamane, who opted to pass to Nedim Bajrami on his right, inside of returning it to the onrushing Cerny or Mohamed Diomande on his left.
Cameron Carter-Vickers got back to block Bajrami’s cross, and the chance was gone.
Clement said it was “really disappointing that we made the wrong decision”. However, wrong moves were rare, which hasn’t been the case in recent derbies.
While ultimately Rangers lost their grip on the trophy, they headed down the tunnel nearly three hours after kick-off with their eyes open to future prizes.
Daizen is spot-on at Hampden as Celtic win League Cup
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2024/december/15/daizen-is-spot-on-at-hampden-as-celtic-win-league-cup/
First Team
By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor
Share
15 Dec 2024, 6:25 pm
League Cup final
Sunday, December 15, 2024
Hampden Park, Glasgow
CELTIC… 3
(Taylor 56, Maeda 60, Kuhn 87)
RANGERS… 3
(Bajrami 41, Diomande 75, Danilo 88)
Celtic win 5-4 on penalties
Daizen Maeda proved to be the coolest player inside Hampden this afternoon as he slotted home the winning spot-kick in a penalty shoot-out to deliver the League Cup back to Paradise.
That moment followed a superb spot-kick save from Kasper Schmiechel to deny Ridvan Yalmaz in the shoot-out.
That drama came after 120 minutes of action in the National Stadium which saw the game eventually end 3-3.
In the early exchanges of what was a tense opening to the game, Kasper Schmeichel saved comfortably from an Ianis Hagi shot.
The Hoops were dominating possession and fashioned a great opportunity after 15 minutes.
A ball over the top found Nicolas Kuhn whose pace took away from the Rangers defence. He cut inside and Jack Butland pushed the ball away to the edge of the area where Reo Hatate fired in a shot which was blocked.
Just over a minute later, Kyogo fired in a first-time shot which was saved after he raced on to another ball over the top of the Rangers defence.
There was plenty of energy and endeavour all over the park, though chances were at a premium, and it looked as though it would be goal-less going into the break when Rangers grabbed the opening goal.
Hamza Igamane intercepted a Greg Taylor pass across the halfway line and surged forward. His low shot was well-saved by Schmeichel, but the ball rolled into the path of Nedim Bajrami, who knocked it into the net.
67%
Possession
33%
10
Shots
19
7
Shots On Target
8
5
Corners
9
14
Fouls
22
3
0
Cards
8
0
Celtic made one change at the break, with Liam Scales replacing Auston Trusty in the heart of the defence, but as the Hoops surged forward in search of an equaliser, it was the Irishman who came close on 50 minutes when he headed just from a Paulo Bernardo free-kick.
At the other end, Cameron Carter-Vickers produced a timely block to prevent a shot from close-range.
On 56 minutes, Celtic drew level and it came after sustained pressure since the start of the second half, which included a Kyogo chance at the near post which was well-saved.
From the resulting corner, the ball broke out to Greg Taylor on the edge of the area and his precise shot ended up in the back of the net with the help of a deflection.
Four minutes later, the Hoops took the lead and it was a superb piece of individual magic from Daizen Maeda.
He latched on to a moment of slackness in the Rangers defence, lifting the ball over Leon Balogan and then producing a wonderful left-foot finish to beat Butland.
With just over 20 minutes to go, Kasper Schmeichel produced another great save, this time to deny Vaclav Cerny, but on 75 minutes he was unable to prevent Mohamed Diomande firing home from close range.
With three minutes of the match remaining, it looked as though Celtic had grabbed a winner when Nicolas Kuhn fired home from 10 yards out after he was set up by Arne Engels.
But just 60 seconds later, it was 3-3 when Danilo headed home a Cerny cross from close range to put the game into extra-time.
It proved to be a tense 30 minutes at Hampden, with Celtic pushing forward in search of the winning goal while Rangers were content to soak up the pressure and hope to get to a penalty shoot-out.
The Ibrox side got their wish, but it was the green and white ribbons which were ultimately tied on the trophy.
Successful penalties from Adam Idah, Callum McGregor, Arne Engels and Reo Hatate, along with Kasper Schmeichel’s penalty save set the stage for Daizen Maeda to step forward and fire home the winning penalty, giving Brendan Rodgers his 10th trophy as Celtic manager.
Celtic: Schmeichel, Alistair Johnston (Ralston 70′), Carter-Vickers, Trusty (Scales 45′), Taylor (Valle 90′), Paulo Bernardo (Engels 71′), McGregor, Hatate, Kühn (Forrest 105′), Kyogo (Idah 76′), Maeda
Subs: Scales, Palma, Idah, Valle, Sinisalo, Hyunjun Yang, Engels, Forrest, Ralston
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Balogun (Sterling 67′), Pröpper, Jefté (Yilmaz 61′), Diomande (Barron 105′), Raskin, Cerny (Dowell 105′), Bajrami (Danilo 86′), Hagi, Igamane (Dessers 101′)
Subs: Yilmaz, Barron, Dessers, Dowell, Sterling, Kelly, King, McCausland, Danilo
Callum McGregor: We showed great personality to win the League Cup
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2024/december/15/callum-mcgregor–we-showed-great-personality-to-win-the-league-cup/
First Team
By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor
Share
15 Dec 2024, 8:15 pm
Callum McGregor lifted another trophy at Hampden as he led the Hoops to a League Cup final penalty shoot-out triumph over Rangers.
The Celtic captain was again an inspirational presence in the heart of midfield, and he praised his team-mates for the character they showed throughout the 120 minutes of action and the drama of the shoot-out.
Speaking to Celtic TV after the game, he said: “It was a tough game, an old-fashioned cup final and the game becomes a bit chaotic and, to be honest, we gave ourselves a lot of work to do by the way we started the game.
‘When we started to play in the second half, you could see the team more dangerous but, like I said, by that point the game is a bit chaotic and anything can happen.’
“So the big takeaway is how well the players dug in and fought for each other, and then in the moments when we had to show quality, we did that to make sure we bring the trophy home.”
Celtic found themselves trailing at the interval, but early second-half goals from Greg Taylor and Daizen Maeda put the Hoops in front.
Rangers grabbed an equaliser before Nicolas Kuhn restored Celtic’s lead with three minutes of the 90 remaining.
That looked as though it could be the winner, but Rangers went straight up the park and equalised again.
It meant an extra 30 minutes of football, but with no further goals, meaning a penalty shoot-out would decide the destination of the League Cup trophy.
Callum McGregor was one of the five Celts who scored their spot-kicks, while Kasper Schmeichel saved a penalty and Daizen Maeda converted the decisive kick.
“If you want to win things you need a big personality in difficult moments and pressure situations,” McGregor explained.
“That’s so many penalties in a row we’ve scored, so it bodes well, it shows the work the boys are doing leading into these games.
“You know that anything can happen but then it’s about keeping your nerve and trusting yourself, trusting your technique and trusting your team-mates, and Kasper came up with a big save as well.”
The latest success is Callum McGregor’s 23rd major honour as a Celt, drawing him level with legendary captain, Billy McNeill.
And while the current holder of the armband is understandably proud to be alongside such a legend of the club, he’s also intent on adding further to his haul of winner’s medals.
“When you start to get mentioned in the same breath as these guys in terms of honours and what you’ve achieved, you’re super proud and you just try and put one foot in front of the other,” he said.
“I think anybody who wins a lot of trophies will tell you that – it’s just a combination of day-to-day work, and then, when the games arrive, you just try and give your all to not miss the opportunity.
“So I’m delighted. It was massive personality shown by the group and quality in the difficult moments.
“It’s brilliant because it shows the combination of the work we’ve done so far – it gives us something tangible to show for how well we’ve started the season and it can be a real springboard for us.”
Manager: We showed great heart and desire to win this trophy
First Team
By Paul Cuddihy, Celtic View Editor
Share
15 Dec 2024, 8:36 pm
Brendan Rodgers knows what it takes to win at Hampden. That’s all the Celtic manager knows at the National Stadium, having never lost a game there in his two spells in charge of the club.
The latest success came on Sunday with a League Cup final triumph over Rangers. The match finished 3-3 after extra-time, and it was the Hoops who held their nerve in the shoot-out, with Kasper Schmeichel saving a spot-kick and then Daizen Maeda stepping up to slot home the decisive penalty.
Not surprisingly, Brendan Rodgers was delighted to have won another trophy – his fourth League Cup success – as he told Celtic TV after the game.
“It was a really tense game and the players had to show a lot of heart and desire, and a lot of calmness and composure to get the win,” the manager said
‘But it’s such an amazing feeling. I said before the game that, in finals, you don’t expect everything to go your own way and that was certainly the case in the game.’
“We had some good spells but we were very loose in the first half, and in fairness to Rangers they capitalised on it, especially for the first goal.
“We just needed to find a rhythm and get the ball moving, and we started the second half really well.
“But the game goes all the way through to extra-time and then you have to show that mentality and patience and composure to score your penalties. And that’s twice now at Hampden we’ve been very good on the penalties.
“I’m absolutely delighted for everyone involved with Celtic to win and we’re really pleased.”
The triumph at Hampden was also Brendan Rodgers’ 10th trophy success, an impressive haul of winner’s medals for the manager, and he knows the importance of winning finals, for the team and also for the supporters.
“Over the course of the night and the next couple of days, it’ll probably sink in more,” he said. “It’s probably more relief now, when you’re stood there.
“And I know the magnitude of this game – a Celtic-Rangers game.
‘It’s so big and supporters all around the world would have been tuning in to watch it and all they want to see is their team win and pick up the trophy. And we’ve been able to do that.’
“There are things for us to learn and pick out from the game where we can be much better, but overall we showed that heart and desire to finish the job. So it’s just real pride in the players and for the supporters.
“If it was about deserving a trophy, then they would have had it before the game but you have to earn it and it caps off a really good start to the season for us.
“We’ll play better than we did today but finals can be like that at times but what you want to make sure is that you’re on the podium at the end, and we were on there, so I’m so happy for everyone and we can all enjoy the moment.”
Live Reporting
Colin Moffat
More trophy cheer for Celticpublished at 19:43 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
19:43 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
That’s three trophies in a row for Celtic after the Premiership and Scottish Cup last season.
Can anyone stop them from completing a clean sweep this term?
Celtic lift the cupImage source, PA Media
Postpublished at 19:37 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
19:37 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
It’s been a long day. Time for a recap on a breathless Premier Sports Cup final…
Daizen Maeda scored the decisive spot-kick as Celtic ran out 5-4 penalty shoot-out winners at Hampden after sharing six goals with Rangers.
Nadim Baramin opened the scoring just before half-time after a mistake by Greg Taylor, who then made amends when his shot deflected in.
Maeda exploited defensive hesitancy to fire in a fine second for Celtic before Mohamed Diomande replied.
Nicolas Kuhn netted Celtic’s third on the 87th minute, only for Danilo to power in a header to take the game to extra-time.
Ridvan Yilmaz was the only player to miss in the shoot-out, with Kasper Schmeichel making the save.
Celtic celebrate after the penalty shoot-outImage source, SNS
Lack of VAR communication ‘weird’ for Clementpublished at 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
19:30 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Rangers manager Phillipe Clement kicked off his media conference with the Vaclav Cerny penalty incident, saying he had received “hundreds of messages about it”.
He says: “I don’t know if you saw the images back, but my phone is overloaded with the penalty situation. I’ve had hundreds of messages about that decisive moment.
“The referee cannot see that moment, but he didn’t get the VAR communication to come to the screen, which is weird for me.
“I cannot control this, but I know all of you like to dig deep into things so maybe it is a very important moment to dig into why there was no communication. It’s a game-decisive moment.”
Postpublished at 19:27 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
19:27 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Philippe Clement is without a win in six Old Firm matches.
This one will probably sting more than the others.
‘Rangers gave so much’published at 19:24 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
19:24 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker at Hampden
Rangers kept at it and showed the right mental strength.
But, you’ve got to find a way to actually get yourself over the line and win the trophy. It’s the only thing that changes the narrative.
You win the trophy, it doesn’t matter how, it’s the only thing missing from today. They gave so much.
Now and again, Celtic are going to struggle, like they did today, but they still found the way.
Rangers can take so much going forward as to what they have to do to close the gap to Celtic and start winning trophies.
‘The players deserved more than they got’published at 19:22 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
19:22 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Rangers manager Philippe Clement tells Premier Sports: “It’s cruel today because you’re the team who get the most chances in the game.
“There’s also a penalty situation. That’s a crucial moment and you don’t get that also, but I’m very proud of what my players showed.
“We had a short talk about that and they didn’t get any contact from the VAR to watch the image. That’s something they need to look at why there was no communication about that issue. I’m focused on my team about how we can get better and better.
“It’s a big blow. The players deserved more than they got, that’s disappointing. We missed one penalty, they didn’t.”
Rangers boss Philippe Clement consoles Ridvan Yilmaz after his shoot-out missImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Rangers boss Philippe Clement consoles Ridvan Yilmaz after his shoot-out miss
Postpublished at 19:19 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
19:19 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
“Football can be cruel,” says Rangers boss Philippe Clement.
He is alsofuming about not getting a penalty when Liam Scales grabbed a handful of Vaclav Cerny’s shirt in the early stages of extra time. It was given as a free-kick just outside the box.
We’ll hear more from Clement in just a tick.
‘Success within Celtic culture’published at 19:13 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
19:13 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers tells Premier Sports: “It’s always nice when you come out the other end but I suppose it’s what a final is.
“I thought Rangers played well in the first half and we had to show heart to come back.
“Over the last few weeks Philippe Clement has changed it a bit so it didn’t surprise us. When you’re a big club you want to be on the front foot and press and Rangers did that.
“I think when you’re really successful it’s within your culture. You’ve got to keep fighting and working everyday. The guys on the penalties were fantastic and we pulled through in the end.
“Our build-up was so clunky and we couldn’t get through the pitch. I didn’t like that.
“Scales has been brilliant, I just felt he has the experience of playing in finals for us and he was able to clean the game up for us. Kuhn has been brilliant. Once he showed that bit of pace in the first half then you’re thinking about it. He was so good all game.
“Running is Maeda’s super strength. He’s an incredible guy and took his penalty really well. You don’t expect it to go all your way but you’ve got to show heart and desire and the boys did that.
“We deserved to win the trophy but you have to go and earn it.”
Celtic manager Brendan RodgersImage source, SNS
Great cup run for Kuhnpublished at 19:07 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
19:07 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Nicolas Kuhn hit Celtic’s third goal on 87 minutes, which seems like a long time ago now.
The German winger scored in every round of the tournament.
Nicolas Kuhn with the Premier Sports CupImage source, SNS
‘Clement can be proud of character and fitness’published at 19:02 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
19:02 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen captain on BBC Sportsound
It was a good cup final for Rangers, if being defeated in a cup final can be a good thing.
I think Phillipe Clement can rightly say that they played well and he can put forward a case to the fans that his players are beginning to respond to what he wants them to do.
It was very, very close. It could’ve gone either way.
I think Clement can be proud of the character and the fitness.
Rangers pushed Celtic all the way in a 3-3 drawImage source, SNS
‘The mindset of champions’published at 18:59 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:59 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker at Hampden
Celtic found a way.
Rangers brought so much to it, they ran them so close and pushed them all the way, but Celtic just have the mindset to hit five perfect penalties.
They have the mindset of champions.
‘That’s what you practice for’published at 18:56 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:56 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel tells TNT Sports:”That was some experience.
“Incredible atmosphere, two teams proper going for it. I’m just very glad it worked out well for us in the end.
“I know Jack [Butland] is a very confident guy, he’s got incredible technique. If you can take penalties like that under pressure, fair play to him.
“That’s when I feel at my calmest – that’s what you practice for. You get to a certain stage in life where you don’t know how many of those opportunities you have left and you’ve got to enjoy them. The most important thing is to give everything you’ve got and I’m glad it turned out the way it is.
“With Joe [Hart] being here for three years I watched these occasions quite a lot. Having played up here earlier in my career I was aware of what a club like this can produce. I’m very thankful and grateful to be given the opportunity to come here and contribute to this team.”
Daizen Maeda and Kasper Schmeichel celebrate at HampdenImage source, SNS
‘Celtic put to the test’published at 18:53 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:53 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper at Hampden
Celtic were absolutely put to the test today, but they answered it.
‘Victory shows Celtic togetherness’published at 18:51 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:51 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers admits it was a “physically and mentally tough” test.
“It was a tough game,” he tells BBC Scotland. “Fair play to Rangers they had a really good game plan which made it tough for us to get our flow going.
“To win a final on penalties, if you know you’re going to win it, you’d always pick to win it that way.
“Physically and mentally it was tough but it shows the togetherness of this group.”
‘Celtic the best team’published at 18:49 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:49 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Willie Miller
Former Scotland defender on BBC Sportsound
Celtic are the best team in Scotland and they’ve proved it once more.
‘Everything is perfect right now’published at 18:46 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:46 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Celtic’s Paulo Bernardo tells Premier Sports: “I feel very good, I’m very happy with this achievement.
“We are Celtic so we always try to win and we did it.
“Our mentality is to win every game. We had a very difficult game, the opponent was very good, they didn’t make things easy but we showed our quality and mentality in the penalties.
“I’m very happy for Maeda – what a run, what a goal. Everything was good there.
“I played three competitions that I could win and we win as a team. Everything is perfect right now. I’m very happy for this moment.
“The fans support us every game and this game as fantastic. They always push us for the win in the final moments.
“I’m very happy we can celebrate this moment with them.”
Paulo Bernardo (left), celebrates with Greg Taylor and Daizen MaedaImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Paulo Bernardo (left), celebrates with Greg Taylor and Daizen Maeda
‘Just amazing’published at 18:43 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:43 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Celtic winger James Forrest tells Premier Sports: “You look back at every trophy you’ve won and it’s just amazing to be part of it.
“I’m getting a bit older now but I want to keep working hard and being part of this team.
“Every game you play with Celtic it means so much to the fans and the players.”
Postpublished at 18:42 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:42 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
It’s Celtic trophy number 25 for James Forrest, who came on as a sub in extra time.
He now shares the club record with the legendary Bobby Lennox.
Postpublished at 18:38 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:38 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
The boss gets in on the action now, with Brendan Rodgers joining Callum McGregor in carrying the trophy.
It’s a fourth League Cup success for Rodgers.
McGregor has a few more… Eight to be precise, taking his overall silverware tally to a staggering 23.
Celtic lift the cup aloftpublished at 18:37 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:37 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Celtic lift the cupImage source, SNS
The Celtic players all have their medals now and here comes captain Callum McGregor to get his hands on the Premier Sports Cup.
Up it goes, with the green and white tickertape quickly taken by the gusting wind.
previous page
1
2
3
4
5
6
…
10
next page
LIVE stream page 2
The winning strikepublished at 18:35 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:35 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Here’s the moment Daizen Maeda cracked in Celtic’s fifth penalty in the shoot-out.
Daizen MaedaImage source, SNS
Postpublished at 18:34 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:34 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
The Rangers players don’t waste any time gathering their runners-up medals.
Celtic will be up soon.
‘Both sides battled hard’published at 18:33 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:33 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Celtic defenderLiam Scales tells BBC Scotland it was a “hard battle of carnage”.
The big Irishman adds: “It’s great to come out on top after that carnage,” the defender says.
“It was a battle and both sides battled hard.”
On the penalty shoot-out, he said: “We all hope it doesn’t go past the five because then you’re thinking who’s next, no one wants it.
“All the takers, brilliant penalties, great bravery.”
On the 120 minutes of battle, he says: “The longer it went on, the better for us. We thought they’d tire after Thursday, but in fairness, they didn’t.
“It’s been a great start to the season but there’s plenty work to be done.”
‘When you come here it’s about winning’published at 18:31 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:31 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Celtic captain Callum McGregor tells Premier Sports: “We played nowhere near the level.
“It’s a cup final and there’s nerves that play a part but we didn’t really start playing until 10-15 minutes into the second half.
“It was one of those cup ties where anything could happen.
“Credit to the players they showed so much quality under immense pressure.
“[I feel] unbelievable pride. It was a tough game, relieved to come through it.
“When you come here it’s about winning, when you’re playing against your biggest rivals the pressure is much bigger.”
Postpublished at 18:27 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:27 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
So, Brendan Rodgers maintains his 100% record at Hampden and Celtic have trophy number 119.
Rangers are one behind on 118 and will be feeling pretty sore after losing out by the narrowest of margins.
Postpublished at 18:24 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:24 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
The rest of the penalties were all top drawer. The final kick from Daizen Maeda was perfectly placed in the corner, with Jack Butland diving off in the other direction.
Postpublished at 18:23 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:23 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Ridvan Yilmaz was the only player to miss from the spot. It was a pretty weak strike and Kasper Schmeichel made a good save low to his left.
Kasper Schmeichel saves from Ridvan YilmazImage source, SNS
Postpublished at 18:22 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:22 GMT 15 December
FT: Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
The Celtic celebrations begin. Not sure how any of the players have the energy.
✅published at 18:20 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:20 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4)
Daizen Maeda to win it for Celtic… And he does!
✅published at 18:19 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:19 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers (4-4)
Rangers goalie Jack Butland! And he scores. Tucked away impressively.
✅published at 18:18 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:18 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers (4-3)
Reo Hatate smashes it into the corner.
❌published at 18:18 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:18 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers (3-3)
Ridvan Yilmaz has his effort saved!
✅published at 18:17 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:17 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers (3-3)
Arne Engels. Nae bother.
✅published at 18:16 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:16 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers (2-3)
Danilo. Lovely finish.
✅published at 18:16 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:16 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers (2-2)
Callum McGregor finds the back of the net.
✅published at 18:15 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:15 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers (1-2)
Ianis Hagi slips it home.
✅published at 18:14 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:14 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers (1-1)
Adam Idah, cool as you like…
✅published at 18:13 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:13 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers (0-1)
James Tavernier is up first. The Rangers captain finds the corner with pace.
Extra-time overpublished at 120 mins
120 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Referee John Beaton brings play to a halt.
A quick regroup, then it’s penalties.
How are the nerves out there?
Postpublished at 120 mins
120 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Only seconds away from spot-kicks now..
LIVE stream page 3
Postpublished at 118 mins
118 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Corner to Celtic. It’s scuffed in by Arne Engels and Rangers clear. Celtic try to get recycle quickly but Liam Scales can only hoof the ball out for a goal-kick.
‘Tactics have gone’published at 18:04 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:04 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Neil Lennon
Former Celtic manager on Premier Sports
It’s all about who can dig out a magic moment or a bit of quality. Tactics have gone.
Celtic are trying to dig in for a winner here.
Tension mounts at HampdenImage source, SNS
Postpublished at 116 mins
116 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Now Callum McGregor pings a pass straight out of play… Tension and tiredness taking its toll.
‘Celtic pushing’published at 18:03 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:03 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker at Hampden
Celtic are the ones pushing, aren’t they? Celtic in possession, can they find any quality?
‘Rangers happy to hold on’published at 18:02 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:02 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Alan Hutton
Former Rangers defender on Premier Sports
I think it’s got to a stage where Rangers are happy to sit in their defensive shape.
Postpublished at 114 mins
114 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Adam Idah tries to bulldoze his way through a couple of Rangers defenders but the men in blue stand firm.
‘Perfect judgement’published at 18:01 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
18:01 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper at Hampden
Perfect judgement from Jack Butland.
One you’re just praying comes inside the box.
Postpublished at 113 mins
113 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Jack Butland keeps a cool head amid the madness as he comes to the very edge of his penalty area to gather.
YELLOW CARDpublished at 111 mins
111 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
There is steam coming off John Beaton’s yellow card as Ianis Hagi takes out Anthony Ralston.
That’s eight bookings for Rangers now.
‘So emotional’published at 17:58 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
17:58 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Neil Lennon
Former Celtic manager on Premier Sports
This game has been so emotional, it’s ebbed and flowed and that takes a bit out of you as well.
Postpublished at 110 mins
110 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Lots of tired bodies out there as we witness a very rare swing and a miss from Celtic captain Callum McGregor.
Next goal the winner… Surely?published at 17:56 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
17:56 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden
No-one can call this, absolutely no-one.
There’s a nervousness all around. Neither side is dominant. Neither wants to make an error.
Both need just one moment of quality.
Nico Raskin and Callum McGregorImage source, SNS
YELLOW CARDpublished at 107 mins
107 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
A handball from Dujon Sterling stops Daizen Maeda from getting away near halfway.
Postpublished at 106 mins
106 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Into the last 15 minutes, plus change.
Are we heading for penalties?
Postpublished at 17:53 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
17:53 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
James Forrest is coming on for Celtic. Connor Barron and Keiran Dowell are ready to enter for Rangers.
Nicolas Kuhn exits for Celtic. Vaclav Cerny and Mohamed Diomande do the same for Rangers.
‘No quality in extra time’published at 17:51 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
17:51 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker at Hampden
There’s no quality in the game now. It just looks as if whoever can force themselves over the line now, by any manner of means, just to get the job done.
Postpublished at 105+1 mins
105+1 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
That’s the first half of extra-time done.
Not much in the way of fancy football…
‘Extra-time nerves’published at 17:47 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
17:47 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper at Hampden
I always found extra-time quite nervous. You don’t want to make a mistake, you don’t want to be the one that dumps your team out. Of course, you can be the hero.
YELLOW CARDpublished at 102 mins
102 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Is that a cup final record? Cyriel Dessers hasn’t yet touched the ball and is booked for smashing into Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Postpublished at 101 mins
101 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
A tired Hamza Igamane trudges off, with Cyriel Dessers on in his place.
Dessers has scored in each of the three previous rounds. Can he repeat the trick?
LIVE stream page 4
Postpublished at 100 mins
100 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
James Tavernier, what are you thinking? The Rangers skipper gallops into the Celtic penalty area, thinks about a shot, then scuds a heavy cross way over the two blue shirts who had kept up with him.
Postpublished at 99 mins
99 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Celtic pressing and probing. Reo Hatate slides a great pass through for Arne Engels, but the first touch is terrible and the ball bobbles through to goalkeeper Jack Butland.
YELLOW CARDpublished at 95 mins
95 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
The yellow card count continues to mount as Hamza Igamane flies in late on Anthony Ralston.
Fatigue a factor?published at 17:39 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
17:39 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Alan Hutton
Former Rangers defender on Premier Sports
It’s going to be interesting for Rangers after playing on Thursday. This is where it could really take its toll.
As soon as you switch off for that one second, you can get punished.
Postpublished at 94 mins
94 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
James Tavernier takes aim from the free-kick but can’t keep his effort from 19 yards down.
YELLOW CARDpublished at 93 mins
93 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Panic stations for Liam Scales as he takes a bad touch near the edge of the box then pulls down Vaclav Cerny, who had robbed him.
Postpublished at 91 mins
91 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Off we go for extra time.
Sensational dramapublished at 17:34 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
17:34 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden
What a spectacle this is.
One moment one set of fans are delirious. The next, you turn the other way and they’re going bonkers.
As cup finals go, this is up there. No-one has a clue how this will pan out.
Nicolas Kuhn scores for Celtic against RangersImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Nicolas Kuhn thought he had won it for Celtic
Postpublished at 17:34 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
17:34 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Celtic withdraw Greg Taylor for extra time and Alex Valle will get his first taste of this fixture.
Into extra-time we gopublished at 17:31 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
17:31 GMT 15 December
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
And breathe… For a few minutes anyway.
We’re set for another half hour of this.
Postpublished at 90+6 mins
90+6 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Poor delivery from James Tavernier, nodded away by Callum McGregor.
Postpublished at 90+6 mins
90+6 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Another corner to Rangers as we tick into the last of the added minutes…
YELLOW CARDpublished at 90+4 mins
90+4 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Celtic break from the corner and James Tavernier grabs Daizen Maeda round the neck to prevent the counter.
Postpublished at 90+4 mins
90+4 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Ridvan Yilmaz has a swing in the Celtic box. Corner to Rangers.
YELLOW CARDSpublished at 90+3 mins
90+3 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Cameron Carter-Vickers cautioned for wiping out an opponent, just as Nico Raskin was a few moments ago.
Postpublished at 90+1 mins
90+1 mins
Celtic 3-3 Rangers
We’re into six minutes of stoppage time.
I’m told there was 21 seconds from the re-start to Rangers finding their second equaliser of the day.
Danilo heads Rangers level at HampdenImage source, SNS
goal
GOAL Celtic 3-3 Rangerspublished at 88 mins
88 mins
Danilo
Brilliant header from Danilo.
Vaclav Cerny with the cross and the Brazilian is up to steer it home expertly.
What a game!
Rangers goal
goal
GOAL Celtic 3-2 Rangerspublished at 87 mins
87 mins
Nicolas Kuhn
He’s scored in every round! Has Nicolas Kuhn just hit the winner for Celtic?
Arne Engels struggling? Well, he’s just hit the byeline and cut the ball back for Kuhn to slam in.
Celtic goal
Postpublished at 85 mins
85 mins
Celtic 2-2 Rangers
Nedim Bajrami crashed a shot into the side-netting and that will be the opening goalscorer’s final contribution as he makes way for Danilo.
Postpublished at 83 mins
83 mins
Celtic 2-2 Rangers
Arne Engels looks a bit shocked at all of the blood and thunder. The Celtic sub is struggling to adapt to the pace.
LIVE stream page 5
Postpublished at 80 mins
80 mins
Celtic 2-2 Rangers
The game is really stretched now, with players lumping the ball around without much in the way of composure.
It’s time to roll the sleeves up and get stuck in.
Actually, it’s been that time for quite a while.
‘Wide open again’published at 17:12 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
17:12 GMT 15 December
Celtic 2-2 Rangers
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker at Hampden
It’s all about Diomande and his touch and then his desire and his determination. It was smart, wasn’t it? Suddenly this game has been blown wide open again.
Diomande finds a second goal for RangersImage source, SNS
Postpublished at 76 mins
76 mins
Celtic 2-2 Rangers
Celtic made a change immediately after conceding that equaliser, replacing Kyogo with Adam Idah.
‘Diomande bullied Engels’published at 17:10 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
17:10 GMT 15 December
Celtic 2-2 Rangers
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper at Hampden
The ball’s just played in from the corner and it was Diomande, he’s just bullied Engels out of the way. He’s got in front of him. Brilliant turn and finish past the goalkeeper but Engels has got to be in front of him there, don’t allow the player to get control.
goal
GOAL Celtic 2-2 Rangerspublished at 75 mins
75 mins
Mohamed Diomande
Having been denied seconds earlier, Mohamed Diomande shows good strength to hold off Arne Engels at a corner then swivels to get a shot away.
Kyogo gets studs to it and that might deceive keeper Kasper Schmeichel, who can’t keep it out.
Rangers goal
GREAT SAVE!published at 74 mins
74 mins
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
The ball does fall for Mohamed Diomande this time but his rising shot is brilliantly tipped away by Kasper Schmeichel.
Postpublished at 73 mins
73 mins
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Nico Raskin is left punching the wet turf in frustration after the ball bobbles around in the Celtic box but just won’t fall for Rangers.
‘Give it everything you have’published at 17:06 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
17:06 GMT 15 December
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Alan Hutton
Former Rangers defender on Premier Sports
This is a final. You give every single ounce of energy you’ve got and then the manager will change it.
Postpublished at 71 mins
71 mins
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Vaclav Cerny has a pop and Kasper Schmeichel needs to push the shot away.
A rather duff corner from James Tavernier follows.
‘Celtic turn on the tap’published at 17:04 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
17:04 GMT 15 December
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen captain at Hampden
It was poor, poor defending from Rangers, Raskin and Balogun getting themselves in all sorts of problems. Celtic have turned on the tap and they’re now playing the style of football that we all know that they’re capable of.
Celtic players celebratingImage source, PA Media
Image caption,
Greg Taylor (right) celebrates his equaliser with Celtic team-mate Reo Hatate
Postpublished at 70 mins
70 mins
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Now Celtic make a couple of changes, with Arne Engels and Anthony Ralston taking over from Paulo Bernardo and Alistair Johnston.
Postpublished at 67 mins
67 mins
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
With Ridvan Yilmaz sent on after that second Celtic goal went in, Rangers make another change as Dujon Sterling enters the fray.
Jefte and Leon Balogun are the Rangers players to depart.
Celtic pressure pays handsomelypublished at 17:01 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
17:01 GMT 15 December
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden
Celtic’s leveller had all sorts of fortune. What it brought was a platform for a complete turnaround.
Brendan Rodgers’ side simply swarmed their opponents and that pressure paid off. They deserve all the credit for that as they were in some amount of trouble.
Rangers’ heads must be rocking right now. They had this final in their hands and it has slipped dramatically.
Greg Taylor scores for CelticImage source, SNS
‘Rangers losing shape’published at 16:59 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:59 GMT 15 December
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker at Hampden
Rangers are now playing open with no discipline and that’s what Celtic want.
‘Flipped it right around’published at 16:59 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:59 GMT 15 December
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper at Hampden
Whatever Brendan Rodgers said at half-time, they’ve flipped it right around. What Rangers were doing in the first half – catching Celtic out – Celtic have done exactly the same to Rangers.
Poor defensive work. Maeda sharp as a tack, getting there, winning the ball and showing real composure, great control and then the finish past Jack Butland. I didn’t see that coming so quickly.
Greg Taylor equalised for CelticImage source, SNS
Postpublished at 62 mins
62 mins
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Mohamed Diomande collapses in a heap in the Celtic box and, for a second, it looks like John Beaton is pointing at the penalty spot, but the referee is signalling for an earlier foul to the defending team.
‘Magnificent from Maeda’published at 16:55 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:55 GMT 15 December
Celtic 1-1 Rangers
Neil Lennon
Former Celtic manager on Premier Sports
The touch is brilliant. How’s the finish? It’s magnificent from Maeda.
The big players have turned up in the big moments.
goal
GOAL Celtic 2-1 Rangerspublished at 60 mins
60 mins
Daizen Maeda
What a turnaround!
More poor defending as Nico Raskin is short with a header back to Leon Balogun and that allows Daizen Maeda to nip in, speed away and finish in style.
Celtic goal
‘Taylor goes from villain to heropublished at 16:53 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:53 GMT 15 December
Celtic 1-1 Rangers
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker at Hampden
It’s blown it wide open. Taylor going from villain to hero in a split second. Celtic were just showing signs. They were pushing and they eventually get that breakthrough.
Postpublished at 59 mins
59 mins
Celtic 1-1 Rangers
Jack Butland has to look lively to stop a Reo Hatate shot at the near post.
LIVE stream page 6
Postpublished at 58 mins
58 mins
Celtic 1-1 Rangers
Celtic tails are up as their fans roar them on. Callum McGregor has a lash, with his shot whizzing high and wide.
‘Igamane sleeping’published at 16:51 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:51 GMT 15 December
Celtic 1-1 Rangers
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper at Hampden
Igamane maybe going to sleep on the edge of the box, not doing his job. It comes off Raskin and Butland has no chance. That’s when you want the boys on the edge of the box to just to be sharp, know what they’re doing, don’t go to sleep.
goal
GOAL Celtic 1-1 Rangerspublished at 56 mins
56 mins
Greg Taylor
Greg Butland uses his foot to save an effort from Kyogo but is then beaten from the following corner.
The ball breaks to Greg Taylor near the edge of the box and the Celtic full-back’s shot takes a big deflection to leave Butland flatfooted.
Celtic goal
‘Rangers’ confidence building’published at 16:48 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:48 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Alan Hutton
Former Rangers defender on Premier Sports
You can see the confidence that’s building within Rangers.
‘Chance squandered’published at 16:47 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:47 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker at Hampden
Celtic are rocked. It’s Taylor again caught in possession. You’ve just got make a pass there. Cerny robs him and then they get a four v two situation, which soon becomes a four v one. If the right pass is picked it’s Rangers two up. Bajrami, he’s squandered an unbelievable good opportunity.
Postpublished at 53 mins
53 mins
Celtic 0-1 Rangers
A Rangers corner is headed away by Liam Scales and drops for Hamza Igamane but the shot flies high over the top.
Postpublished at 52 mins
52 mins
Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Another Greg Taylor mistake leads to a Rangers break. There are four blue shirts to one in green and white at the edge of the box but they can’t find a way to test Kasper Schmeichel.
CLOSE!published at 50 mins
50 mins
Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Leon Balogun catches Kyogo on the ankle. Paulo Bernardo swings the free-kick in and Liam Scales glances a header wide by a foot or so.
‘Celtic playing into Rangers’ hands’published at 16:43 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:43 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Alan Hutton
Former Rangers defender on Premier Sports
At certain times Celtic are just playing into Rangers’ hands.
If you keep giving Rangers these opportunities, they’re going to jump all over it.
‘Sloppy from Celtic’published at 16:43 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:43 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper at Hampden
Giving the ball away again, Celtic. That’s been a theme. You can’t afford to give another goal away by giving the ball away.
Postpublished at 48 mins
48 mins
Celtic 0-1 Rangers
A slick move from Celtic takes them from one end of the pitch to the other but Ianis Hagi does well to track the run of Paulo Bernardo and snuffs out the danger.
‘Rangers have played in right areas’published at 16:40 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:40 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker at Hampden
Rangers have been a threat. If you want the perfect game, forget that individually and collectively. It’s a cup final against your biggest rivals. Leave it to the manager to try and pick out the tired players. They’ve played in the right areas – high, which a lot of teams don’t do against Celtic.
Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers holds off Rangers’ Nico RaskinImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers holds off Rangers’ Nico Raskin
KICK-OFFpublished at 16:39 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:39 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-1 Rangers
We’re up and running again.
A change at the back for Celtic, with Liam Scales on for Auston Trusty.
Postpublished at 16:38 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:38 GMT 15 December
HT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Remember, Brendan Rodgers has never lost a match at Hampden.
Philippe Clement has never lost a League Cup match…
Which way are things going to go in the second half?
‘Celtic rhythm isn’t there’published at 16:36 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:36 GMT 15 December
HT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper at Hampden
It’ll be interesting what Brendan Rodgers does at half-time. He always comes up with something. This is as big a half-time he’s has had since the season started. They’re rhythm isn’t quite there.
Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland foils Celtic winger Nicolas KuhnImage source, PA Media
Image caption,
Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland foiled Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn early on
Postpublished at 16:34 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:34 GMT 15 December
HT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Daizen Maeda has given James Tavernier a torrid time in a few Old Firm games but the Rangers skipper has dealt with the Celtic winger very well today.
‘Clement has got tactics right’published at 16:31 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:31 GMT 15 December
HT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen captain at Hampden
Rangers have looked dangerous at times. Clement has got his tactics right. Bajrami seems to have been given the job of staying close to McGregor. He springs off him whenever Rangers get the opportunity.
Rangers scorer Nedim Bajrami celebrates with Ianis HagiImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Rangers scorer Nedim Bajrami celebrates with Ianis Hagi
‘Rangers brilliant defensively’published at 16:29 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:29 GMT 15 December
HT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Charlie Mulgrew
Former Celtic defender on Premier Sports
Rangers started the better team but then Celtic had more of the ball without doing anything with it.
Rangers have been brilliant defensively and Celtic have been a bit slow and pedestrian.
Rangers seize their opportunitypublished at 16:27 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:27 GMT 15 December
HT: Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden
It’s such a big, big goal for Rangers. The timing of it will be a huge boost and reward for their approach.
Just as Celtic had got more of a grip of the ball, Philippe Clement’s side seized on Greg Taylor’s mindless moment. What he was thinking is unclear but credit to Nedim Bajrami and Hamza Igamane who took their moment.
All the questions now lie with Brendan Rodgers side. They have a real test to overcome here.
HALF-TIME Celtic 0-1 Rangerspublished at 45+3 mins
45+3 mins
Rangers have their noses in front at Hampden thanks to Nedim Bajrami.
The Albanian pounced on a sloppy pass from Greg Taylor to break forward and set up Hamza Igamane. When his teammate’s shot was saved, Bajrami was in the right spot to mop up the rebound.
Rangers have been snapping and snarling in the wind and rain. Celtic have been trying to keep cool heads and haven’t been able to find their rhythm.
LIVE stream page 7
Postpublished at 45+2 mins
45+2 mins
Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Rangers are certainly not sitting on their lead as the pour forward looking for a second goal. Celtic are creaking at the back.
‘Celtic fall into Rangers trap’published at 16:20 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:20 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Neil Lennon
Former Celtic manager on Premier Sports
Celtic have found it really difficult to play through the lines. I think Brendan Rodgers will maybe play with a bit more width in the second half.
Rangers set the trap and they’ve punished them.
YELLOW CARDpublished at 43 mins
43 mins
Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Jefte clatters through the back of Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn.
‘Taylor mistake shouldn’t happen’published at 16:19 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:19 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper at Hampden
It’s Greg Taylor giving the ball away, that square pass. Rangers have been really cute in the way that they’ve actually dealt with that, waiting for the pass across, putting the ball at risk across your midfield cannot happen, shouldn’t happen.
‘Eyes light up’published at 16:19 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:19 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker at Hampden
The old eyes light up as a striker when that kind of chance falls to you. Schmeichel can only palm it. It’s just sitting there – the things you dream of in a cup final – six yards out, goalie out of play, just roll into the empty net and Bajrami does exactly that.
goal
GOAL Celtic 0-1 Rangerspublished at 40 mins
40 mins
Nedim Bajrami
A blunder from Greg Taylor, who plays a pass straight into the path of Nedim Bajrami, who jets off then lays the ball to Hamza Igamane.
The striker’s shot from the edge of the box is saved but Bajrami keeps going and gobbles up the loose ball to shoot Rangers in front.
Rangers goal
‘Rangers on back foot’published at 16:11 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:11 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen captain at Hampden
You do need a bit of patience. Rangers started extremely well. Celtic have then taken control of it. Rangers are on the back foot and struggling to get any possession and struggling to control the game. If it continues like this, Celtic are going to create opportunities.
Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny with Celtic defender Auston TrustyImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny with Celtic defender Auston Trusty
‘Raskin reading game well’published at 16:10 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:10 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Alan Hutton
Former Rangers defender on Premier Sports
Nicolas Raskin has been excellent in midfield, you see him reading the situations.
He’s done really well so far but he’ll have to keep it up.
Postpublished at 34 mins
34 mins
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Almost a calamity at the back for Celtic as Cameron Carter-Vickers is caught out by a pass from Auston Trusty. Ianis Hagi intercepts but can’t get the ball fully under control or find a way past Carter-Vickers inside the penalty box.
Postpublished at 33 mins
33 mins
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Nedim Bajrami rides a lunge from Callum McGregor and gallops straight down the middle for Rangers. The final shot is a disappointment though as the drags the ball well wide.
Celtic beginning to take more controlpublished at 16:04 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:04 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden
This is fiercely competitive.
It feels like Celtic are now beginning to spend more time up the pitch, although they’re finding space hard to come by.
They are looking more composed on the ball in the opposition half as the pace settles a touch.
Rangers remain dangerous, just less often as the match progresses.
Celtic defender Alistair JohnstonImage source, SNS
‘Slick pitch’published at 16:02 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
16:02 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Neil Lennon
Former Celtic manager on Premier Sports
The pitch is obviously greasy and quick so your first touch is imperative.
Postpublished at 27 mins
27 mins
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Rangers are absolutely swarming all over Daizen Maeda every time the Celtic winger gathers the ball. On this occasion it’s overzealous, with James Tavernier giving away the foul at halfway.
Postpublished at 25 mins
25 mins
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Another poor effort from Paulo Bernardo as his corner fails to beat the first defender.
Celtic just starting to build up a head of steam.
Postpublished at 24 mins
24 mins
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Paulo Bernardo slams his effort straight into the defensive wall.
Paulo BernardoImage source, SNS
YELLOW CARDpublished at 23 mins
23 mins
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Reo Hatate is dragged down by Leon Balogun after spinning away from the Rangers defender.
First booking of the day and a free-kick in a dangerous spot.
‘Rangers in Celtic faces’published at 15:55 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
15:55 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker at Hampden
Rangers are in their faces and asking the questions. Both teams, it’s just that final bit that’s missing. They’ve got into some good situations.
Rangers’ Mohamed Diomande closes down Celtic’s Daizen MaedaImage source, PA Media
Image caption,
Rangers’ Mohamed Diomande closes down Celtic’s Daizen Maeda
Postpublished at 18 mins
18 mins
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Leon Balogun is up highest in the Celtic penalty area and gets plenty on his header. It’s a simple enough save for Kasper Schmeichel on the stretch.
Postpublished at 16 mins
16 mins
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Jack Butland is busy again, keeping out a rising shot from Kyogo at his near post.
The angle was tight and it would take something special to score from there.
‘Kuhn skins Propper’published at 15:50 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
15:50 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Neil Lennon
Former Celtic manager on Premier Sports
That’s the danger of Celtic. Nicolas Kuhn has just been electric, he skins Robin Propper and he’s in.
It’s a great save from Jack Butland.
Live Reporting
Colin Moffat
previous page
1
…
5
6
7
8
9
10
next page
‘Big chance’published at 15:49 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
15:49 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper at Hampden
It’s a big, big chance. As soon as Kuhn went by Propper, he had no chance of catching him.
Postpublished at 15 mins
15 mins
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Jack Butland to the rescue for Rangers!
Nicolas Kuhn eats up ground on the sluggish Robin Propper to reach the ball first and tries to jink past the goalkeeper, who is able to get a big mitt on the ball.
Reo Hatate with the follow-up shot, with Butland making the stop with his legs.
Postpublished at 14 mins
14 mins
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Daizen Maeda tries to turn just inside the Rangers half but is quickly closed down by three players in blue.
Postpublished at 12 mins
12 mins
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Alistair Johnston is trying to shepherd the ball out of play before getting a push in the back from Hamza Igamane. Impetuous from the Rangers striker.
Bright start from Rangerspublished at 15:44 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
15:44 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden
Rangers are buzzing all over the pitch right now, suggesting they are up for the fight.
They have had one or two slack moments at the back though, which will likely be punished at some stage if that continues.
We have a game. Rangers aren’t holding back.
‘A few good challenges’published at 15:42 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
15:42 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Neil Lennon
Former Celtic manager on Premier Sports
Celtic v RangersImage source, SNS
Both teams are up for it, they’ve been pretty physical and a few good challenges so far.
Postpublished at 8 mins
8 mins
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Daizen Maeda is scampering into the Rangers penalty area before Leon Balogun stretches out a long leg to make a vital interception.
‘Johnston recovered well’published at 15:41 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
15:41 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper at Hampden
It was a really good ball, it was played over the top of Carter-Vickers. Johnston recovered really well when Hagi picked the ball up. He was up quickly and got his block in.
Postpublished at 6 mins
6 mins
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Here comes Rangers midfielder Ianis Hagi charging forward on the left. He cuts inside to have a shot, but the angle is tight and Kasper Schmeichel is able to beat the ball away after a slight deflection.
Postpublished at 5 mins
5 mins
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Greg Taylor with a throw-in near the Rangers corner flag but Celtic team-mate Reo Hatate lets the ball slip under his foot and out of play.
Cup final nerves?
Postpublished at 4 mins
4 mins
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Nicolas Kuhn tries to have a run at the Rangers defence but the Ibrox side double up on the Celtic winger to halt his progress.
Postpublished at 2 mins
2 mins
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Rangers launch a long throw-in behind the Celtic defence but Vaclav Cerny maybe loses sight of the ball in the lights and smoke…
Rangers come again and win a corner that is repelled without much fuss.
KICK-OFFpublished at 15:33 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
15:33 GMT 15 December
Celtic 0-0 Rangers
HampdenImage source, SNS
A delay for the smoke to clear, then a peep of the whistle from referee John Beaton.
Here we go.
More than silverware at stakepublished at 15:31 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
15:31 GMT 15 December
Celtic v Rangers (15:30)
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden
There are so many factors at play.
The cup itself.
The bragging rights.
Ending or extending unbeaten runs.
Turning around a poor start to the season or exerting more dominance.
Whatever outcome here, it may have significant consequences for both, good and bad.
Postpublished at 15:30 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
15:30 GMT 15 December
Celtic v Rangers (15:30)
Both teams have been charged for the use of pyrotechnics during the semi-finals, but, once again, the air is thick with smoke.
Almost there…published at 15:28 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
15:28 GMT 15 December
Celtic v Rangers (15:30)
The teams are about to emerge from the Hampden tunnel.
The TV cameras pick up the trophy pitchside and the attached ribbons are fairly dancing in the gusting wind.
Both sets of fans optimisticpublished at 15:27 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
15:27 GMT 15 December
Celtic v Rangers (15:30)
Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden
It was interesting milling about supporters from either side.
Celtic fans were fairly bullish which is to be expected given their form.
Rangers fans were clearly influenced by the vast improvement against Tottenham on Thursday and suddenly held some belief, in the main, some conceding a few weeks ago that would never have been the case.
The question seems to be whether Rangers can produce that level of performance throughout against a well-oiled Celtic with strength and depth.
It’s set up to be a fascinating encounter.
Few chances in last final meetingpublished at 15:26 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
15:26 GMT 15 December
Celtic v Rangers (15:30)
Celtic made it to 118 in May, beating Rangers 1-0 in the Scottish Cup final.
Substitute Adam Idah popped up with the only goal on 90 minutes after a spill from goalkeeper Jack Butland.
That was a nervy and bad-tempered game low on thrills. Will it be another tense affair this afternoon?
Adam Idah was the Celtic hero in the most recent Old Firm finalImage source, SNS
Image caption,
Adam Idah was the Celtic hero in the most recent Old Firm final
Trophy haul levelpublished at 15:24 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
15:24 GMT 15 December
Celtic v Rangers (15:30)
Rangers have 28 successes in this tournament, compared to Celtic’s 21.
Overall, both clubs sit on 118 trophies each.
Media caption,
The battle for 119: Celtic and Rangers’ trophy hunt
‘Rangers need to be rock solid’published at 15:22 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December
15:22 GMT 15 December
Celtic v Rangers (15:30)
Billy Dodds
Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportscene
There’s plenty to ponder for Rangers. Can they keep out Kyogo, Maeda and Kuhn? It’s about being rock solid.
They also need to get at the Celtic defence. Can they catch them out when they are attacking? That’s a bit of cat and mouse. I’m looking forward to seeing if Igamane can cause problems.