It was a cup final for the ages with an roller coaster 120 minutes and penalties as two fierce rivals slugged it out
Celtic won a breathless Premier Sports Cup Final at Hampden as they edged rivals Rangers on penalties in a Hampden classic that sees them grab the trophy count bragging rights.
But Celtic should have been ahead after quarter of an hour. Paulo Bernardo sent Nicolas Kuhn scampering past Robin Propper but Jack Butland saved at the feet of the German and when the rebound fell to Reo Hatate he sent a tame effort straight into the arms of the Gers keeper. Leon Balogun then sent a header into Schmeichel’s arms at the other end.
It gave Rangers something to cling onto. They thought they had scored when the sides met in the Scottish Cup final six months previously and it was chopped off for a foul and there was a nervous wait before the celebrations started. Rangers looked down and out after that turnaround but Schmeichel made a brilliant save to deny Diomande just moments before the Ivorian did level. Igamane delivered the cross and the midfielder held off Celtic substitute Arne Engels to fire home.
Brendan’s perfect Hampden record has Celts out on their own This one was always going to have a slightly bigger edge to it given the all-time trophy record was on the line. With both clubs locked on 118 major pieces of silverware, it was a chance to go out on front. And Brendan Rodgers continued his perfect Hampden record as Hoops boss to ensure it was Celtic who grabbed their chance - but it was done in dramatic fashion.
They went toe to toe, slugged it out and served up an absolute breathless, enthralling game. Anyone watching from England or anywhere else would have been left mightily impressed.
Rangers FC Celtic FC Hampden Park Brendan Rodgers Philippe Clement Greg Taylor Nedim Bajrami
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