Celtic vs Rangers LIVE: Scottish League Cup final result and reaction as Old Firm derby settled on penalties
The Glasgow rivals battled for the first silverware of the season at Hampden Park
Daizen Maeda scored the decisive spot-kick as Celtic emerged 5-4 penalty shoot-out winners over Rangers after a Scottish League Cup final ended 3-3 after extra-time at Hampden Park.
Light Blues wide-man Nadim Baramin opened the scoring in the 41st minute after a mistake by Parkhead left-back Greg Taylor, who made amends in the 56th minute when his drive deflected in off Gers midfielder Nicolas Raskind, whose mistake cost Gers four minutes later as Maeda fired in a second for the Hoops.
The Ibrox side rallied and levelled in the 75th minute through Mohamed Diomande but when Nicolas Kuhn restored Celtic’s lead in the 87th minute the trophy looked Parkhead-bound, only for Gers substitute Danilo to level a minute later and take the game to extra-time.
After no more goals the game went to penalties and Hoops goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel gave Brendan Rodgers’ side the advantage by saving Ridvan Yilmaz’s effort before Maeda beat Jack Butland to take the trophy back to Parkhead.
Despite a valiant effort, it was another Celtic triumph and leaves Philippe Clement without a win in six Old Firm matches, while Celtic moved ahead on the historical trophy count - 119 to 118.
78’ - Celtic 2-2 Rangers
Adam Idah on for Kyogo for Celtic - he scored a last-minute Scottish Cup final winner in a meeting between these teams at the end of last season. The Irishman will hope for a similar impact here.
What have we got left to happen in the final ten minutes?!
GOAL! 74’ - Celtic 2-2 Rangers
GOAL!
Igamane hasn’t had too much in terms of clear sights of goal but he has one now - and totally fluffs his lines, shanking a shot from ten yards out and miskicking entirely.
But there’s another chance soon after a Scales error which leads to a corner - and this time Diomande’s touch is good, his first shot on the spin does enough to flummox Schmeichel - and it’s in and over the line! 2-2 and all square again!
72’ - Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Rodgers’ turn to go to the bench now and Celtic go for a double sub. Engels and Ralston on for Johnston and Bernardo.
Just under 20 minutes to go and the Bhoys have this under control at present - the emphasis very much on Rangers to find another gear and raise their attacking play, which hasn’t really been in evidence since that chance early in the second half.
Cerny has a go now from range and it’s fiercely struck, but easily saved.
68’ - Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Dujon Sterling is on for Leon Balogun for Rangers, while they also made a change in around those quickfire goals - left-back Jefte was replaced by Yilmaz as Kuhn has had him on toast.
Yellow card for Kyogo for a late foul and a few too many words of complaint.
Yilmaz then runs onto a bouncing ball and smashes a half-volley almost out of the stadium - not quite troubling Schmeichel that one.
64’ - Celtic 2-1 Rangers
What a rapid turnaround that was - now Rangers have to pick themselves up and just get a foothold in the game. They had a four-on-one chance remember, spurned it, and within five or six minutes they’ve gone from winning to losing.
The Gers want a penalty as Carter-Vickers goes flying into a tackle in the box, but actually the Celtic defender gets the decision as his clearance was met by a late boot from a blue shirt. The atmosphere in the ground has totally turned.
GOAL! 60’ - Celtic 2-1 Rangers
The tide has totally turned since that goal - Kuhn is running Rangers ragged and frees Kyogo for another chance which is saved.
Green and white shirts are flooding forward...and the turnaround is immediately complete!!
A bouncing ball in midfield sees Maeda quickest to it, his control is brilliant from a dropping ball and a left-footed finish is tucked under Butland to suddenly have Celtic 2-1 ahead!
What a turnaround.
GOAL! 56’ - Celtic 1-1 Rangers
Kuhn has been about the only consistent positive outlet for Celtic and he beats his man again to get a shot away this time, but Butland blocks it near post. Johnston then crosses low for Kyogo who sees his near-post shot diverted around the post - but from the corner it’s 1-1!
The set piece is only half-cleared, Greg Taylor swings a left foot at it and the ball is deflected late past Butland who has already gone to ground and it’s in off Raskin - all square!
54’ - Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Rangers should be 2-0 up. Again they win the ball in midfield and suddenly it’s four on one, really, four on one...but Carter-Vickers lunges in to make a must-win challenge and just about manages to cut the attempted cross out and divert it behind for a corner.
Great individual defending, shocking team play, massive missed chance for Rangers.
From the corner Schmeichel and Igamane clash and both go to ground, but the ref tells them to get on with it. Bernardo shoved the forward into his goalkeeper anyway.
50’ - Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Bernardo flicks a free-kick into the box and it’s Scales who is up to nod at goal, but it’s only a glancer and it flies wide of Butland’s goal.
At the other end another sloppy ball from Johnston this time sees Hagi and Igamane link up but there’s no shot at the end of it.
46' - Celtic 0-1 Rangers
Back underway at Hampden Park. No changes for Rangers, but Auston Trusty is replaced at the break for Celtic. Liam Scales is on for him.
Celtic already a couple of times since the break though have played out of defence to...not great effect. Improvement required there.
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