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.
16’ - Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Massive chance for Celtic! Bernardo feeds a lovely ball over the top to find Kuhn who blazes past Propper down the right flank, cuts inside and tries to take on Butland - he gets down to put a hand on the ball and nudge it away, it arrives at the feet of of Hatate and he shoots first time...saved again, this time with the former England keeper’s feet.
A third save from Butland follows a minute later in more routine fashion as Kyogo half-volleys on the run to the near post, but straight at the stopper.
12’ - Celtic 0-0 Rangers
A good example below of the smoke-filled scenes we had earlier on...and where they came from.
Igamane goes down to win a free-kick, but on the next phase concedes one himself for a foul on Johnston.
Celtic doing well to control early possession but they haven’t done too much with it yet in the attacking third.
8’ - Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Balogun almost gets himself into all kinds of trouble as he misses the ball entirely on a first challenge, Maeda skips around him and into the box...but the Rangers defender stretches out a long leg and hooks the ball away at the second attempt. Close to a first big sight of goal for the green and white shirts.
4’ - Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Maeda does well to hold up a ball down the left but he’s nowhere to go and is surrounded by three defenders. Tavernier eventually puts a meaty challenge in and the ball bounces away for a goal kick.
Up the other end a looping ball lands for Hagi who shoots from an angle - Schmeichel parries it straight back into his own six-yard box, but a teammate is on hand to clear.
2’ - Celtic 0-0 Rangers
The wind is billowing the corner flag as Hagi goes over to take the first set-piece of the game but his delivery is short and Celtic clear.
Lots of noise from both sets of fans in the early minutes, who can now see the pitch again as the smoke clears.
0’ - Celtic 0-0 Rangers
Kick-off! Celtic were ready to go then told it was Rangers’ kick-off - they get us underway and the League Cup final has begun.
Celtic v Rangers - live
Loads of smoke billowing across the skyline and out of the stadium so we’ll have a few minutes of delay - clouds of it from flares and fireworks and all the rest. We’re ready to go though!
Celtic v Rangers - live
A massive roar greets the players as they emerge - Hampden is rocking. A loud and busy cup final is on the way next.
Celtic v Rangers - live
One defeat in 19 for Brendan Rodgers against Celtic.
“It’s a nice focus in the early part of the season. We’ve started the season so well, this is an opportunity for something tangible from that,” he said.
“Johnston felt pain in the Zagreb game but he was absolutely fine.
“They’ll come into the game with confidence but for us it’s about how we play and how we show our football.”
Celtic v Rangers - live
As for Rangers, it’s Balogun and Propper in at centre-back with John Souttar out injured.
“It’s a huge miss that Souttar’s out he’s been really consistent this season. But the two guys in have to communicate and not allow space behind. Leon Balogun has a big game in front of him,” former right-back Alan Hutton says.
“We’re always confident, I believe in my team. We’re getting better and better,” manager Philippe Clement says ahead of kick-off. “Others have to stand up and do the job, that’s the world of football,” he adds on Souttar’s absence.
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