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.
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.
Celtic v Rangers - live
Alistair Johnston is fit and starting for Celtic at right-back, despite doubts he’d make it.
“A huge boost for Celtic, he’s a wonderful player going forward and defensively what he brings to the team. He’s a great relationship with Kuhn which has really blossomed this season,” says Neil Lennon.
That right flank will be a key one for the Hoops.
Celtic v Rangers - live
We are 20 minutes from kick-off!
Atmosphere building, teams almost set. A massive occasion at Hampden.
Clement “under zero pressure” to win
In his pre-match press conference, Ranger boss Philippe Clement said that he feels “under zero pressure” to beat Celtic, adding that he is “200%” focused on winning games and winning trophies.
“There will be mind games” and the players will “need to handle that well,” he said, adding that “the belief is there before a match”.
On Celtic’s extra time to recover, he added: “I’m not busy with that. I’m just focused on ourselves. But having played Thursday/Sunday for much of the season is a help. Your body adapts to that.”
Rodgers: “You never get bored of them"
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers told the media that his side “never get bored of” Old Firm derbies, adding that “it’s such an iconic fixture throughout the world so to have the possibility to have so many in the season is amazing”.
“This is what we’re built for, the tougher the challenge, that’s what we relish.
“It’s not any other game, it’s an iconic game for everyone to be involved in.
“That’s not lost on me but from a coaching perspective it’s about what allows us to perform and for us that’s to stay calm, look at our tactics in the game and how we pitch that to the players so they can go and play.”
Celtic v Rangers live
45 minutes until kick-off, so here’s a reminder of how you can watch today’s match.
The Scottish League Cup final is set to kick off at 3.30pm GMT on Sunday 15 December at Hampden Park.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Premier Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 3pm GMT. Subscribers can stream via the Premier Sports website.
If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Team news
Rangers boss Philippe Clement has made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Spurs in the Europa League.
In defence, John Souttar drops out for Leon Balogun, while on the wing, Rıdvan Yılmaz has been replaced by Ianis Hagi.
Team news
Celtic line up with the exact same 11 as that which drew 0-0 to Dinamo Zagreb in midweek.
It’s a 4-3-3, with Callum McGregor playing as the more central midfielder and Paulo Bernardo and Reo Hatate on either side of the captain.
Up front, Kyogo Furuhashi starts centrally with Daizen Maeda on the left and Nicolas Kühn on the right.
Rangers line-up
Rangers XI: Butland, Tavernier, Balogun, Propper, Jefte, Diomande, Raskin, Hagi, Bajrami, Cerny, Igamane.
Subs: Kelly, Ridvan, Barron, Dessers, Dowell, Sterling, King, Danilo, McCausland.
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