Celtic prevailed 2-1 win over Rangers in the Viaplay Cup final to keep one of the three major domestic trophies in the Parkhead trophy cabinet
The Hoops went into the tie with a nine point lead over their title rivals in the Scottish Premiership and they didn't disappoint. their buoyant fans in Mount Florida. Jota and Kyogo threatened early on as Ange Postecoglou's side looked to get the first trophy of a potential treble against their bitter rivals, and the Japan star took advantage of poor Rangers defending on the stroke of half-time to send the green half of the ground wild.
Michael Beale's men came close to scoring twice in the first half as Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston thwarted them, but Celtic showed more cutting edge at the end of the first 45 through Kyogo's tap-in. He then doubled the scoring before the hour after a carbon copy move to send the Hoops into dreamland, sealing the win.
Alfredo Morelos pulled one back just after the hour and Rangers did look to level up the game - but that never materialised. The win gives Postecoglou his third trophy in Celtic colours, and with the Premiership needing a major turn of the tide to take it away from the city's east-end, a treble is on the cards after another fine day at Hampden. Record Sport takes a look at how each player fared at Hampden.
Celtic player ratings
JOE HART: Hoops No.1 got a hand to Morelos goal but couldn’t keep it out. That was all that was required of the ex-England international, although his ropey kicking did cause nerves to jangle on a couple of occasions. 6
ALISTAIR JOHNSTON: The Canadian is a no-frills full-back but that doesn’t mean he’s not a solid, effective option down the right for Ange Postecoglou’s side. Copped a caution in stoppage-time after squaring up to Barisic. 7
CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS: Came up with a vital intervention when Rangers threatened to sneak in front. Got his body in exactly the right position to turn away a Tavernier cross as Tillman waited for a tap-in. 7
CARL STARFELT: Steady and composed for the most part but the big Swede couldn’t manage to get the through the game without his usual momentary wobble, breathing a sigh of relief as neither Colak nor Cantwell could take advantage late on. 6
GREG TAYLOR: Had to be careful with Sakala’s pace in behind but proved he was just as much a handful himself on the charge, throwing over a fabulous cross to tee up Kyogo’s first goal. Shown yellow after dragging down Cantwell. 7
CALLUM McGREGOR: Continued his perfect Hampden record with win No.15 in his 15th cup final as a Celtic player. Quietly went about his business before he and Hatate and Mooy upped the speed of their midfield rotations and took the game away from Gers. 8
REO HATATE: The Hoops’ leading player of the year candidate showed why he’s the best player in the country right now with another dominant midfield display. Rangers couldn’t get near the stealthy Japanese ace as he drifted into pockets of space. 8
AARON MOOY: Back after sitting out last week’s Aberdeen trouncing but didn’t miss a beat as he helped form that slick midfield triumvirate that proved key to a well-earned Celtic win. It was the Aussie’s pass for Taylor that put Gers on the back foot as Kyogo pounced for the opener. 7
JOTA: Only denied a sensational 25-yarder early on by Allan McGregor’s finger-tip save. Guilty of overplaying with his flicks and tricks when an early cross would have done the trick. 6
DAIZEN MAEDA: The Japanese wideman wasted a couple of promising openings with slack touches during a frantic opening period but justified his place with his relentless work-rate. 6
KYOGO FURUHASHI: Lost his footing at crucial moment as he raced through on McGregor early doors before wasting another big opening as he glanced over with free header. Like all good strikers didn’t let those misses affect him and was perfectly positioned to score the goals that earned his side their sixth League Cup triumph in the last seven year. 8
Substitutes
LIEL ABADA (FOR JOTA, 64): Nonsense dive earned him a booking. 3
MATT O'RILEY (FOR MOOY, 64): Failed to finish after bursting through on McGregor. 3
OH HYEON-GYU (FOR KYOGO, 76): Booked after barge on Davies. 2
TOMOKI IWATA (FOR HATATE, 76): Provided some fresh legs as Celtic saw out the closing stages. 2
SEAD HAKSABANOVIC (FOR MAEDA, 84): Wasted two big opportunities to put a gloss on the scoreline. 2
