Celtic find their way out of trouble to claim trophy as Rangers left to regret more what ifs, writes Tom English.
On a day of six goals, 11 bookings, 12 substitutions and 120 minutes of cup final bonkerdom, into penalties they went."Carnage, just carnage" as the Celtic defender Liam Scales said in the aftermath.
Then the suspense as Daizen Maeda stood over that last kick, the big opportunity to finally put a gallant Rangers to sleep, which he took. Unerringly. Worse, surely, than last season's Scottish Cup final, secured at the death by Adam Idah. That had been a scrap. On that day, Rangers hadn't delivered anything like the goals and moments they came up with on Sunday.More sickening in its own way than the 3-0s and 4-0s visited upon them in the time of Ange Postecoglou and earlier this season? You have to think so. Those were heavy beatings with no excruciating what-might-have-beens attached.
Bring the intensity and work rate and aggression and character of Thursday against Tottenham to Hampden - achieved, with bells and whistles attached.When Greg Taylor, villain turned hero, and then Maeda transformed a 0-1 into a 2-1, it looked like Celtic had finally got hold of things. We thought we knew which way this was heading at that point, but we hadn't a clue.
Pyro, predictably, reappeared and kick-off was delayed, two more fingers being raised by the ultras to their own clubs and to the footballing authorities who practically begged them to behave. More charges pending from the SPFL? Let's see.Amid the maelstrom, Taylor lost his head, played a square ball that was a bad idea and also poorly executed in any event and that was the catalyst for the opener.
The shoot-out came and with it came memories of Rangers' in the Europa League denouement in Seville against Eintracht Frankfurt. Aaron Ramsey, then. Yilmaz now.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Celtic v Rangers: Six goals, 10 pens & 120 minutes of Old Firm chaosCeltic find their way out of trouble to claim trophy as Rangers left to regret more what ifs, writes Tom English.
Read more »
SWPL: Celtic level with Rangers at break in first of six gamesFollow updates from all six of Sunday's SWPL matches, including Celtic v Rangers, and watch Hearts v Hibernian.
Read more »
Old Firm Glasgow city centre chaos as Rangers and Celtic fans clash ahead of cup finalHundreds of supporters could be seen clashing on the city's Argyle Street with police officers attempting to separate individuals as Christmas shoppers took shelter in nearby shops.
Read more »
Aberdeen 0-1 Celtic: 'Nobody is catching domestic machine Celtic now'Celtic's lead looks insurmountable after they grind out victory over dogged Aberdeen at rain-lashed Pittdorie to go seven points clear, writes Tom English.
Read more »
Kris Boyd in total Rangers write off as he hands Celtic the titleBoyd has recently gone public in his criticism for under-fire Ibrox boss Philippe Clement
Read more »
Clement breaks one rule about Celtic that any real Rangers man would knowFraser Wilson mans the phones and the Ibrox boss can't stay out his own way according to angry punters
Read more »