OneFootball
Adam Booker·26 February 2023
OneFootball
Adam Booker·26 February 2023
Celtic and Rangers wrote another chapter in their historic rivalry with a feisty showdown in the Scottish League Cup final.
Here is what went down at Hampden Park.
Scorers: Kyogo 44′, 56′ ; Morelos 64′
Two first-half goals was all Celtic needed to get over the line against Rangers for their 21st Scottish League Cup triumph.
As expected, it was a fiery affair right from the off. With a boisterous crowd behind them, both sides played on the front-foot and went looking for the opening goal.
As the first half wore on Celtic took control of the tempo and possession, probing the Rangers back line.
The finishing touch just appeared to be lacking for the Hoops however, with Kyogo Furuhashi’s shot fizzing past the post in the final 10 minutes perhaps the best chance of the half.
It looked as if the opening interval may peter out scoreless, but Celtic’s pressure finally told in the dying minutes, as Kyogo tapped home an inch-perfect Greg Taylor cross to snatch the lead.
Celtic’s control turned to domination in the second half, and they were rewarded 10 minutes when Kyogo scored his second of the night from point-blank range, doubling the Celtic lead with just over 30 minutes remaining.
Rangers’ malaise was finally broken thanks to Alfredo Morelos, who stabbed home after a scramble in the box to cut the Celtic advantage in half, and set the scene for a tense final 25 minutes.
While Rangers poured on the pressure in search of an equaliser, the Celtic rearguard pulled together and cleared away the onslaught of aerial crosses.
The heroic defensive performance was the final push Celtic needed to get over the line and snatch the trophy from their city rivals.