Copyright Yardbarker
After an energetic start, Celtic initially took the lead thanks to an own goal, as Nasser Djiga knocked the ball off Nico Raskin. However, after a short delay, Celtic celebrations would be silenced as VAR overturned the goal, ruling that Daizen Maeda had been offside in the build-up. An extremely tight decision, but the Celts pushed on. And just four minutes after that decision, Johnny Kenny drew first blood. Arne Engels whipped in a corner, which he met and knocked over Butland and into the back of theRangers net. Celtic kept pushing with intensity after the goal and Danny Röhl’s side were struggling to deal with it. A couple of chances came Celtic’s way, but no one could convert again. Rangers would also find themselves with some quality chances though, including one where Youssef Chermiti found himself in a great position inside the six-yard box. It seemed destined to fly past Kasper Schmeichel, but the forward shinned it wide of the post. Disaster would strike theRangers shortly after the missed chance as the referee brandished a red card to Thelo Aasgaard. Trying to take the ball down, his leg was high and he caught Anthony Ralston on his thigh. Obvious decision for the referee to send theRangers down to 10 men. As the second half kicked off, Celtic were desperate to double their advantage but theRangers weren’t throwing in the towel yet. Despite being a man less, they tried to come at Celtic, but it was O’Neill’s men who had the best chances. Shortly before the 70-minute mark, Marcelo Saracchi sent a low cross into the box, which Nygren sent over. Just two minutes later, Saracchi would be involved again, finding James Forrest, whose strike thundered off the crossbar. However, up the other end, theRangers almost found the equaliser as substitute Mikey Moore slid through Djeidi Gassama. Gassama controlled the ball well but before he could shoot, Liam Scales executed a perfect sliding challenge to prevent his attempt. But Gassama wasn’t done as a few moments later, he found himself in a good position again. Ralston slipped and although his arms were tucked in, and the defender was not making his body any bigger, the referee pointed to the spot, despite hesitating at first. James Tavernier stepped up and despite Schmeichel diving the right way, it was too far to one side, and theRangers equalised. Momentum was with Celtic in the closing stages, with Callum Osmand coming close. Forrest played Osmand in on the left and Jack Butland pulled out some great goalkeeping to deny the young striker. With 92 minutes on the clock, Reo Hatate found himself with the ball in space. He had a go at it but blazed it over the bar, and that would prove to be the last notable moment of the second half, with the 90 minutes ending at 1-1. Just three minutes into extra time, captain Callum McGregor found himself with the ball on the edge of the box. He took a touch to control it and struck it beautifully with his left foot, the ball flying past Butland and into the net to give Celtic the lead once again. And in the second period of extra time, Kieran Tierney whipped a cross into space. Osmand managed to throw himself at it, diverting it goalward. He ran away in celebration, stretching out his arms and kissing the badge. A statement from the 19-year-old in a Celtic dreamland. A few more chances for Celtic in the last few minutes as theRangers end quickly emptied, and the Celts secured their place in the final of the Premier Sports Cup, facing St Mirren. The Celtic support were brilliant today, making their voice heard. They even did their own rendition of “Danny, Danny Röhl” as their team saw out the game, showing some “love” to the new manager of theRangers. Auston Trusty, overlooked by Brendan Rodgers at Tynecastle a week ago was named as man of the match. A week is a long time in football. Jessica Elliott
