A double from Kyogo Furuhashi either side of half-time ensured that Celtic emerged victorious from Hampden Park on Sunday, retaining their League Cup trophy at the expense of city rivals Rangers.
The Hoops enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the opening exchanges with Mooy, McGregor, and Hatate controlling the tempo of the game in the midfield. However, despite bossing the play, chances were at a premium in the first quarter of the match. Kyogo squandering the best chance of those limited sightings of goal on 20 minutes as he failed to control a ball over the top.
Both Jota and Maeda were demanding the ball in the wide areas with mix success. The Portuguese causing some concerns up against Barisic, while Maeda was enduring an off-day offensively on the either side, unable to have his usually positive impact on the game.
On the half hour Rangers created the best chance of the half up to that point as Tavernier flashed a dangerous cross into the 6-yard area that Carter-Vickers diverted out for a corner.
KYOGOAL AT THE DOUBLE
That momentary scare re-awoke Celtic who dominated the rest of the first-half with one way traffic towards the Rangers goal. Kyogo missed three presentable opportunities in relatively quick succession before finally breaking the deadlock just before the interval.
Aaron Mooy, who had been a colossus in midfield, did well to pick out the run of Taylor on the left. The full backs low near post cross was missed by Maeda however Kyogo was following in close behind to tap into the empty net.
There’s never a bad time to open the scoring in a Glasgow Derby, and the Celtic support inside Hampden Park were sent into raptures at the sight of the Japanese superstar wheeling away in celebration.
As expected, there was a slight flourish from Rangers as the start of the second-half as they went in search of an equaliser. Ryan Kent, who had been virtually non-existent in the first half, hitting Hart’s left-hand post early on with Fashion Sakala then proceeding to fire into the side net on the follow up with the goal gaping.
Similar to the first half, after a close scare at the Celtic end, the Hoops raised their game and went on the offensive. Jota again causing problems on the right but just unable to find the killer final ball.
With 10 minutes of the half played Celtic doubled their advantage and once again Aaron Mooy was at the heart of the move. This time the Australian picked out Hatate inside the box with a well weighted pass, the Japanese, in turn, squared for his countryman Kyogo to slot home and give Celtic a 2-0 lead.
COURAGE AND DETERMINATION
Shortly after the hour mark Rangers found a way back into the game after some poor defending at a Tavernier free-kick allowed Morelos time and space to prod home.
Rangers were galvanised by the goal and Celtic’s play became disjointed and sloppy as the former pushed for a second.
Despite dominating territory, Rangers found it difficult to create any clear openings against a stubborn Celtic backline. Alasdair Johnston in particular being a rock that Rangers could not shift.
With two minutes of the 90 to play Rangers did get their chance to level, however, both Colak and Barisic allowed the ball to squirm underneath their feet when otherwise clean through on goal.
Hakšabanović, twice, and O’Riley both passed up excellent chances for Celtic to wrap up the game in injury time but in the end, it was all academic as the Bhoys held out for a famous 2-1 victory.
THE MOMENTUM STAYS WITH ANGE
The Cup success, Ange’s 2nd League Cup in a row and 3rd trophy out of a possible 4 since his arrival in Scottish football could become a watershed moment for the club and usher in another period of dominance in the domestic game.
Rangers simply had to win the final to bring about any form of momentum change and feed the Michael Beale myth machine.
They lost and face the prospect of watching on from the shadows as a highly motivated and confident Celtic side take on the challenge of securing a treble.
Yesterday’s win had moments of skill and brilliance, it also had moments of courage and determination where the players dug deep to win the trophy.
Celtic wanted it more in the end. The mark of Champions.
KEVIN MCCLUSKIE
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