It was more silverware for Celtic at Hampden as the Rangers players could only watch on as Callum McGregor lifted another trophy.
The Hoops’ captain has yet to taste defeat in a final at the national stadium – and Kasper Schmeichel kept that record alive after denying Ridvan Yilmaz in the penalty shoot-out after a thrilling topsy-turvy 3-3 draw in the Premier Sports Cup showpiece. Celtic take home the first piece of silverware on offer in Scottish football this season – but also earn bragging rights over Rangers by setting a new trophy record.
The clubs had been tied on 118 major honours but after Celtic’s victory their tally is now greater than their rivals for the first time in 86 years. The Hoops have won 54 league titles, 42 Scottish Cups, 21 League Cups and a European Cup in 1967 while the Light Blues have won 55 top-flight titles, 34 Scottish Cups, 28 League Cups and the 1972 European Cup Winners Cup.
That is among the talking points across the globe – but what else is catching the attention? Record Sport takes a look.
Marca (Spain)
“Celtic were saved by Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel after a 3-3 draw after extra time, with a save from Ridvan Yilmaz and the accuracy of his team-mates’ efforts. With this victory, the white-and-green team overtook the titles of its eternal rival in this competition.
“It was a thrilling final, which began with a clash between supporters outside Hampden Park before kick-off. It was, in fact, the final that saw the most goals since Hibernian’s 5-1 win over Kilmarnock in 2007, which was a back-and-forth affair that was decided in the final shoot-out.”
Kicker (Germany)
“Celtic defeated Rangers on penalties early on Sunday evening to win the League Cup title. Nicolas Kühn also played a crucial role in this. From the start, both teams gave each other nothing. It went back and forth wildly – duels were intense. Rangers started briskly, but Celtic increasingly took control of the game as the first half progressed. Celtic are the dominant force in Scotland though and continued that in the end.”
L’Equipe (France)
“Sunday’s Scottish League Cup final was a dramatic encounter as Celtic got the better of the Rangers in a breathtaking match that ended 3-3, but was ultimately decided on penalties.
“With the win, Brendan Rodgers’ men have now lifted the trophy for the 22nd time, six fewer than their local rivals. Rangers fans, however, will be left to rue their missed opportunity after leading at half-time. When penalties were on the agenda, neither side could afford to hesitate. After six impeccable conversions, it fell to Ridvan Yilmaz, who unfortunately saw his shot saved by Schmeichel. Rangers did score, however, but a composure Maeda stepped up, sending Butland the wrong way to seal an unforgettable win for Celtic.”
DHL (Belgium)
“Arne Engels came on assisting Celtic’s third goal and also converted the third penalty. For the Gers, Nicolas Raskin, booked played the full 120 minutes. Celtic largely dominated the first half but just before the break, Rangers took advantage of a mistake by Greg Taylor to open the scoring through Nedim Bajrami (41st, 0-1). Following a corner, Taylor redeemed himself by equalizing with a shot from the edge of the area (56th, 1-1). Celtic did a double thanks to Daizen Maeda, who anticipated a pass back that was too short from Raskin to his full-back Leon Balogun (60th, 2-1).
“Rangers snatched a first equaliser through Mohammed Diomande: served in the axis with his back to goal by Hamza Igamane, the Ivorian wrapped himself around Engels before striking from close range (75th, 2-2). Celtic took the lead again through Nicolas Kuhn (87th, 3-2) but Danilo snatched extra time (89th, 3-3). This did not result in a winner. In the penalty shootout, Celtic got a clean sweep while for Rangers, Ridvan Yilmaz missed his.
“It is misery for Philippe Clement. The countryman and Rangers are at breaking point after a good display but not the result he wanted against the rivals again. He has still not enjoyed a victory over Celtic in six games.”
CNN Brasil (Brazil)
“Celtic clinched the Scottish League Cup title with a 5-4 victory over Rangers on penalties after a thrilling final finished 3-3 in normal time at Hampden Park on Sunday (15). It takes the green and white to 119 trophies beyond the rivals but six behind Rangers in this competition.”
Soccer King (Japan)
‘Celtic forward Daizen Maeda has been highly rated. The Scottish League Cup final took place on the 15th, with Celtic facing Rangers. Although they conceded the opening goal in the 41st minute, Greg Taylor scored an equaliser in the 56th minute, and Maeda, who did not miss the opponent’s opening, scored a valuable winning goal in the 60th minute.
“After that, they were tied in the 75th minute, and Nicholas Kuhn scored the winning goal in the 87th minute, but they conceded another equaliser in the 88th minute, and the score was 3-3 at the end of the 90 minutes. The game was still tied in the extra time, and went into a penalty shootout. The fourth kicker, Reo Hatate , and the fifth kicker, Maeda, scored, and Celtic won the penalty shootout 5-4, achieving their 22nd League Cup title and the first in two seasons.”
Tipsbladet (Denmark)
“Kasper Schmeichel can call himself a Scottish Cup winner, and his club, Celtic, is now ahead of Rangers in the cup standings between the two arch-rivals. After 3-3 after regular and extra time, the thrilling final between the two arch-rivals was decided from the penalty spot.
“Both teams took advantage of the first three attempts before Kasper Schmeichel made a full-length save from Ridvan Yilmaz’s kick, which was the only save of the penalty shootout. This is the 22nd time Celtic have won the League Cup. In addition to 54 championships, 42 cup wins and a single European triumph, Celtic now have 119 titles to Rangers’ 118.”