Celtic overtook Rangers’ trophy tally to move on to 119 after a pulsating Premier Sports Cup Final at Hampden.
Mount Florida witnessed a game that had six goals and a host of bookings as both teams left everything possible on the grass to get their hands on the first piece of silverware on offer this season. But after missing out last campaign it is Brendan Rodgers who comes up on top against Philippe Clement once again after Ridvan Yilmaz was the penalty sinner at the national stadium.
After playing out a 3-3 draw in 90 minutes and nothing to separate the sides in an additional 30, it was the lottery of spot-kicks to decide this one and Kasper Schmeichel came up trumps to deny the Turkish defender before Daizen Maeda calmly slotted the winner beyond Jack Butland to send the green and white end of the national stadium wild. It was a similar feeling echoed by those calling into the Hotline as the gloating started from the whistle on Glasgow’s south side.
Glen Mitchell emailed: “Even playing at 60 per cent of their capability, a Champions League team still beats a Europa League team. I suppose Champions League and silverware are still not for everyone.”
Seamie Gallagher, Glasgow: “What a pulsating final,which fittingly went to penalties,to decide the most successful club. Celtic possess that accolade and just never say die attitude is so reversing. I’m so proud of them!!”
Wullie Hutchinson, Aberdeen: “Although we won League Cup, no matter who went on to win it it was fantastic final. 100 per cent better than the Scottish Cup Final last season. Well done Celts and Daizen Maeda goal to put us 2-1 up was sensational.”
Gordon Ashley, Ayr: “That is the difference between serial losers and serial winners. The arrogance of Rangers fans on Friday’s Hotline was laughable but today was the day they have been fearing all their lives, their dubious claim to have won 118 trophies overtaken by the biggest and best club in Scotland. The world’s most successful football club.”
James Robertson, Alabama: “I say this, the fans got their money’s worth today. What a ball game, and what a huge save by Kasper!”
Steve McSherry, Uddingston: “Although I’m delighted we won the League Cup, I’m still disappointed in our performance. We made it a lot harder than it needed to be. Rangers were very predictable and can only play one way but we allowed them too many chances and look decent when in reality there is a massive gulf between the two sides.”
Kenny Wilson, Moffat: “Once again Celtic were miles off the pace and once again Celtic win showing the gulf between everyone else in Scottish football. They were wasteful passive and only for 15 mins at the start of the 2nd half did they play well proving if they did that for 90 mins it would’ve been a stroll but I think Rangers were better over 90 mins and Celtic better in extra time. The main difference serial winners against serial losers. No amount of money can buy that.”
Liam Birney, Paisley: “Well done Rangers for making a final of it. However, massive congratulations to Celtic in becoming the most successful team in Scottish football history with 119 trophies.”
Willie Mercer, Dumfries: “You can’t fault the attitude and commitment during the game. We matched Celtic all over the park today and showed great character in last couple minutes to come back. But you have to question that we need to pick a goalkeeper and left back to take our penalties, when we got a centre forward in Cyriel Dessers on the field and a forward in Kieran Dowell HIDING in the shadows.”
George McLeish, emailed: “That’s one of the worst penalties I have ever seen, did he just decide to pass it back to the goalkeeper? A one legged man could have hit it harder. You pay £5million pounds for a player (Dessers) and he doesn’t have the bottle to take a penalty, get rid of the duds and bring in some quality, not loan players.”
Donald Dundas, Uddingston: “You have to hand it to Rangers. Two days less rest after hard game vs Spurs. Put on their feet at the end but dug in and proved there’s nothing between the two teams. Penalties is always a lottery But heads held high.”