With the League Cup Final fast approaching we thought it was time to head in to the dusty ACSOM vaults and look back on some of the more notable Glasgow Derby finals. But first some stats on Scotland’s second cup tournament.
The League Cup may be ranked as the third piece of silverware in Scottish football, behind the League and Scottish Cup, but It is also the first trophy on offer each season; you can’t win a treble without it.
Celtic have claimed the Cup 20 times, most recently last season in that rain-soaked 2-1 victory over the Hibees. Since the first final in 1947 we have met the team in blue 15 times, winning the trophy on six occasions.
Let’s find out a little more about those six matches.
Celtic 7 Rangers 1 (1957)
Is this the most famous score line in domestic Scottish football? Possibly. What is certain is that Celtic fans were in seventh heaven that sunny day, as their hooped heroes piled on the agony and put on the style, slaughtering their nearest and dearest rivals with McPhail (3) Mochan (2) Fernie and Wilson all getting on the scoresheet. The win completed a treble of league cup victories on the bounce, but would also be the last trophy the club would secure until the Scottish Cup in 1965.
Celtic 2 Rangers 1 (1965)
Over 107,000 fans (a UK League Cup Final attendance record) watched The Bhoys gain their revenge this year, having lost to Rangers in the previous final. John Hughes scored two penalties that day. Two penalties? Against Rangers? In a final? Surely not. Celtic would go on to win the League and complete the League and League Cup double.
Celtic 1 Rangers 0 (1966)
The ancient rivals met this season for the third League Cup Final in a row. We were “outplayed by Rangers” according to the Glasgow Herald match report at the time. Nevertheless, the good guys prevailed thanks to a solitary goal from Bobby ‘Buzzbomb’ Lennox. Winning a trophy is always something to be celebrated, but this cup was the first of five the team would win during the 66-67 season, going on to lift the Glasgow Cup, Scottish Cup, League as well as the biggest Cup of them all. It was also the second of five League cup wins in a row for Celtic. Talk about a generation of domination.
Celtic 2 Rangers 1 (1982)
A rain-soaked Hampden, which was partially closed for renovations, saw the latest Derby final. A goal each for Charlie Nicholas and Murdo McLeod was enough to see off the Gers at Hampden and secure the club’s 9th League Cup. The fans celebrated in not too unfamiliar style, with some pyrotechnics being set off in the terracing. No Pyro No Party back then too.
Celtic 2 Rangers 0 (2009)
A fully renovated Hampden was the scene for the next Old Firm League Cup Final. A nervy 90 minutes for Celtic fans, but 0-0 was the score line. Into extra time and up pops Darren O’Dea for the opener, before Aiden McGeady sealed the deal with a penalty after a foul and sending off for Kirk Broadfoot.
Celtic 1 The Rangers 0 (2019)
The rain was hammering down as much as the Rangers were hammering down on the Celtic goal in this thunderous derby final. Inspired goalkeeping from the Flying Wardrobe Fraser Forster, including a Morelos penalty save, and some poor finishing from Alfredo in particular, kept them at bay. In a rare attacking moment at the other end, Christopher Jullien nicked a goal from a clearly onside position, which would be the winner, despite a red card for Frimpong.
Let’s hope we can add this year’s final to the W column.
ANDY RAFFERTY
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