A moment of pure quality from captain Callum McGregor proved decisive as Celtic booked their place in the Scottish League Cup final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over arch-rivals Rangers at a pulsating Hampden Park.
The highly anticipated Old Firm semi-final looked destined for extra time after Rangers mounted a stubborn defensive resistance, but McGregor's brilliant 69th-minute strike finally broke the deadlock and sent the Celtic faithful into raptures.
Rodgers' Tactical Masterclass
Brendan Rodgers' side dominated possession throughout the contest but struggled to convert their superiority into clear-cut chances against a well-organised Rangers defence. The Celtic manager's decision to introduce Luis Palma and Mikey Johnston from the bench injected fresh energy into the attacking third, ultimately creating the platform for McGregor's match-winning moment.
"It was always going to take something special to break them down," Rodgers commented post-match. "When you have a captain of Callum's quality, he produces when it matters most. That's why he wears the armband."
Rangers' Resilience Ultimately Broken
Rangers manager Philippe Clement will take some consolation from his team's disciplined defensive performance, particularly after their recent heavy defeat in the league. The Ibrox side created few opportunities of their own but succeeded in frustrating Celtic for large periods of the match.
The turning point arrived when McGregor collected possession 25 yards from goal, created a yard of space, and unleashed an unstoppable drive that left Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland rooted to the spot. The goal exemplified the Scotland international's importance to this Celtic side - a player capable of producing magic when it's needed most.
What This Means for Both Clubs
- Celtic: Progress to their second consecutive League Cup final as they chase a domestic treble
- Rangers: Suffer another psychological blow in their quest to challenge Celtic's dominance
- McGregor: Cements his status as Celtic's big-game player with another crucial contribution
The victory extends Celtic's recent superiority in Old Firm encounters and keeps them on course for silverware in Rodgers' first season back at the helm. For Rangers, it's back to the drawing board as they seek to find answers to Celtic's persistent threat.
Celtic will now await the winners of the other semi-final between Aberdeen and Heart of Midlothian, with the final scheduled for December at Hampden Park.
