Celtic v Rangers: Holders edge Premier Sports Cup semi-final full of drama

Celtic reached the Premier Sports Cup final with a 3-1 win over Rangers following an action-packed encounter at Hampden.

Managerial changes added further intrigue to the encounter and there was plenty of drama on the pitch as the holders set up a Hampden clash with St Mirren on December 14.

Entertainment back on the menu

The goalless meeting between the teams in August was one of the most uneventful of all time but this one more than made up for it. Celtic dominated the first half and went in front through Johnny Kenny’s header but still coughed up several chances to Rangers, who fought back with 10 men to level through a late James Tavernier penalty. Celtic got back on top and won it in extra-time thanks to a long-range strike from Callum McGregor and Callum Osmand’s first goal for the club. As well as a series of flashpoints, there were 34 shots at goal, 14 of them on target.

Officials in the spotlight

There was plenty to keep referee Nick Walsh and video assistant Steven McLean busy. Nico Raskin’s own goal was disallowed following a VAR check which concluded Daizen Maeda’s heel was offside. Derek Cornelius was perhaps fortunate to escape with a yellow card following a flying tackle on Kenny before Thelo Aasgaard received a red card for a challenge that ripped Anthony Ralston’s shorts and upper thigh. Auston Trusty was fortunate not to join Aasgaard after kicking Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland in the face. Rangers fans also wanted the teams evened up when Maeda caught Mohamed Diomande in the chest with his boot and when the referee penalised the already-booked Ralston for handball in the box after he stopped a shot with his elbow. Walsh handed out nine yellow cards in all, six to Celtic.

The master and the novice

Danny Rohl, 36, was taking charge of Rangers for the fourth time, while Celtic turned to 73-year-old Martin O’Neill and former player Shaun Maloney following the departure of Brendan Rodgers on Monday.  The “nervous excitement” the Northern Irishman spoke about was evident as he jinked around the touchline in his tracksuit. Rohl sported his club suit but was no less animated, although he regularly retreated to the bench to consult assistant Matthias Kaltenbach. The German started with a back three and saw Celtic dominate possession in the first half, but they somehow managed to get in the ascendancy before their equaliser, despite the red card. O’Neill’s record now sees him boast 17 wins and three draws in 28 games.

All to play for in bragging rights

It was Celtic’s first victory over Rangers since last year’s final, which they won on penalties. Rangers had won two and drawn two of the intervening games. However, Celtic have still not beaten their rivals in 90 minutes in six matches stretching back to August 2024 and the way Rangers fought back with 10 men in the second half will give Rohl encouragement.

Celtic strikers show their value

Kenny has now scored more goals under the new management team than he did while playing for Rodgers. After netting a midweek double against Falkirk, the 22-year-old guided a near-post header past Butland and later forced a good stop from the keeper. Osmand did not even feature for Rodgers after arriving from Fulham for a development fee in the summer. The 19-year-old showed poaching qualities to divert Kieran Tierney’s driven cross home and forced two good saves. Meanwhile, Rangers’ big-money summer signing Youssef Chermiti missed the target twice from good chances and forced one save from a shot he never really caught hold of.