Celtic v Rangers: Six goals, 10 pens & 120 minutes of Old Firm chaos

Extremely, McGregor has by no means misplaced a cup last, however “it was mighty shut at this time,” he stated. The captain was as relieved as he was trustworthy.

“The efficiency wasn’t nice, so we needed to grind it out. We needed to maintain our nerve. Even once you’re not excellent, you possibly can nonetheless win. Dig in. Discover one thing additional.”

Pyro, predictably, reappeared and kick-off was delayed, two extra fingers being raised by the ultras to their very own golf equipment and to the footballing authorities who virtually begged them to behave. Extra expenses pending from the SPFL? Let’s examine.

When the motion started, it was toe-to-toe. Rangers had been bodily and uncompromising.

Amid the maelstrom, Taylor misplaced his head, performed a sq. ball that was a nasty concept and likewise poorly executed in any occasion and that was the catalyst for the opener.

The omens had been good for Rangers. Solely 4 groups who’ve scored first within the final 49 League Cup finals have did not win the trophy. However stats do not take note of Celtic’s steepling self perception.

They had been in bother – no area, no management, not many probabilities – however they discovered their approach out of it. Celtic’s psychological energy is a factor of marvel. They had been nowhere close to their greatest and but they’ve one other title to their title.

The shoot-out got here and with it got here recollections of Rangers’ within the Europa League denouement in Seville in opposition to Eintracht Frankfurt. Aaron Ramsey, then. Yilmaz now.

Schmeichel did his factor. There was gamesmanship in the best way he tried to place off some Rangers penalty takers. There have been some mocking phrases in reply from Ianis Hagi after he buried his kick previous the Dane.

Finally, this odyssey got here right down to Yilmaz versus Schmeichel and Maeda versus Butland. Celtic gained, by a whisker or by a mile, it does not actually matter.

A distinct type of victory from earlier than, however the identical feelgood in a single dressing room and presumably the identical silence and despair within the different. Sporting drama at its greatest .