Glasgow | Celtic win on derby day and reach League Cup final

Celtic 3 - 1 Rangers

Callum McGregor and teenage substitute Callum Osmand scored in extra time to send holders Celtic into the League Cup final at the expense of 10-man Rangers after a pulsating contest.

Author | Sean M

Stadium | Hampden Park

James Tavernier’s late penalty had forced extra time, cancelling out Johnny Kenny’s first-half header, but Thelo Aasgaard’s straight red card for a reckless challenge on Anthony Ralston shortly before the interval proved costly for Rangers.

In Martin O’Neill’s 28th Old Firm encounter, and his first since 2005, he guided Celtic to victory just days after Brendan Rodgers’ sudden resignation. The win sets up a final against St Mirren on 14 December.

The result halted Rangers’ brief resurgence under new head coach Danny Rohl, who had been chasing a third consecutive win for the first time this season. Despite their resilience and second-half intent, the Ibrox side were edged out.

The sight of O’Neill and Rohl in opposing dugouts would have seemed improbable only weeks ago, adding a layer of intrigue to an already charged occasion.

A vast improvement on the last Glasgow derby

After the goalless stalemate of their previous meeting, this was a very different spectacle, tense, frantic and full of drama.

Celtic started the brighter, pressing Rangers deep. They thought they had taken the lead when Nasser Djiga’s clearance ricocheted off Nico Raskin and into the net, only for a marginal offside against Daizen Maeda to rescue the visitors.

Rangers responded well and Youssef Chermiti squandered a fine chance before Kenny rose to glance a header beyond Jack Butland from a corner.

READ MORE | Celtic cruise to victory on O'Neill return

Rohl’s side continued to threaten, but their task became harder when Aasgaard’s high challenge on Ralston left the full-back with stud marks and Rangers a man short.

Celtic failed to make their advantage count and were perhaps fortunate when Auston Trusty caught Butland in the head as the goalkeeper gathered a loose ball, escaping with only a booking to the fury of the Rangers bench.

Rohl made changes and his side rallied. Djeidi Gassama was denied superbly by Liam Scales, but the winger’s shot moments later struck Ralston’s arm, prompting another contentious decision. Tavernier converted calmly from the spot to level the tie.

As the match opened up, both sides had chances to win it. James Forrest rattled the underside of the bar for Celtic, while Rangers often looked the likelier late on.

It was McGregor who finally broke the deadlock early in extra time with a thunderous finish before Osmand, the teenage substitute, sealed the win with his first goal for the club, a composed strike from close range that secured Celtic’s place in the final.