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.
Penalties - Celtic 3-3 Rangers (FT, AET)
Danilo is up next for the third for Rangers. Right footed, sends the keeper right, he goes left, bottom corner for another GOAL!
*CEL 2-3 RAN
Penalties - Celtic 3-3 Rangers (FT, AET)
Far less fuss for McGregor - the captain runs up and strokes a side-footed leftie into the net. GOAL!
CEL 2-2 RAN after two each.
Penalties - Celtic 3-3 Rangers (FT, AET)
Hagi steps up, stutters, sends Schmeichel the wrong way and rolls it into the net as the keeper tries to dart back across. Lots of mind games but GOAL all the same.
*CEL 1-2 RAN
Penalties - Celtic 3-3 Rangers (FT, AET)
Idah up first for Celtic then, looking to level matters. Low, firm, bottom corner - GOAL!
CEL 1-1 RAN
Penalties - Celtic 3-3 Rangers (FT, AET)
Tavernier up for Rangers first to get the shootout underway...GOAL! Short runup, smacked into the corner, high and hard.
*CEL 0-1 RAN
Penalties - Celtic 3-3 Rangers (FT, AET)
A coin-toss to see where the shootout is taken, with McGregor and Tavernier called over. The ref points away to the right, then a second toss sees Rangers choose to go first in the spot-kicks.
Here we go, a ferocious battle comes down to the next ten (perhaps) strikes.
ET FT - Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Throw-ins, misplaced passes and a couple of fouls - no cohesion to the end of the game after 120 minutes of pure running, fight and comebacks.
The full-time whistle goes and we’re heading to a penalty shootout to settle this Old Firm derby in the League Cup final.
ET 118’ - Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Two more minutes to go before we head for a shootout. Celtic look the only team now who might have the guile or energy to craft a few more chances, but Forrest’s attempted dribble into the box only sees him head into a group of blue shirts.
Rangers just want to see it through now, clearly.
Rodgers urges his side to keep going, keep looking for the spaces and picking their passes through the middle, but Butland hasn’t been troubled since the extra time period started.
ET 114’ - Celtic 3-3 Rangers
Another yellow card, Ianis Hagi this time. He went into a late challenge and clearly barged his man after the ball was gone, despite his protestations to the contrary.
Butland comes right out to the edge of his box to claim a bouncing ball and Idah claims he’s outside, but the goalkeeper has been careful.
Nothing much subtle about Rangers’ approach now, they are whacking it long and trying to win second balls. Looks like the energy levels have really dropped again now.
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