Celtic Edges Rangers in League Cup Thriller
Celtic beat Rangers 3-1 in extra time to reach the Scottish League Cup final, with Callum McGregor and Callum Osmand scoring crucial goals.
Celtic took advantage of the reprieve and seized control of the match, taking the lead midway through the first half...
Celtic secured a 3-1 victory over Rangers, reaching the Scottish League Cup final and extending Martin O'Neill's unbeaten record as interim manager. This win marks O'Neill's second game at the helm, following his return to the club after Brendan Rodgers' resignation earlier in the week.
The match got off to a promising start for Celtic, with Jonny Kenny scoring the opening goal in the first half. However, the team's lead was short-lived, as Thelo Aasgaard was sent off just before halftime, leaving Celtic to play with 10 men for the remainder of the match. Despite this setback, Celtic's resolve was tested when Rangers rallied to equalize through a James Tavernier penalty in the dying minutes of regular time, forcing the match into extra time.
In extra time, Celtic's superior fitness and determination paid off, with Callum McGregor scoring a stunning long-range strike to restore Celtic's lead. Teenager Callum Osmand sealed the win with a decisive goal, sliding in Kieran Tierney's cross to secure Celtic's place in the final. The win sets up a meeting with St. Mirren in the final next month.
The victory is notable not just for the win itself but also for the context, with both Celtic and Rangers undergoing changes in management. Hearts currently lead the Scottish Premiership by a significant margin, while Rangers face an uphill task to catch up under new manager Danny Rohl, who has been in charge for less than two weeks.
Rangers staged a remarkable comeback, with James Tavernier scoring a crucial penalty to send the match into extra time. However, Celtic regained their momentum with Callum McGregor's impressive long-range strike, which restored their advantage. The young Callum Osmand then sealed the win for Celtic with his first goal for the club.
Both Glasgow rivals are undergoing a transition phase after dismal starts to the season, allowing Hearts to surge ahead in the Scottish Premiership standings with a commanding nine-point lead.
Danny Rohl's baptism by fire continued as Rangers manager, with the team facing off against Kilmarnock in a high-stakes encounter. Less than two weeks into his new role, Rohl's side is tasked with turning around a season that has seen them trail 14 points behind league leaders Hearts and struggle at the bottom of the Europa League table.
The Rangers-Kilmarnock fixture has often been known for its fiery passion, and Saturday's match did not disappoint. Unlike their tepid 0-0 draw in August, this encounter saw a renewed sense of intensity and purpose, with both teams giving it their all at Hampden Park.
Danny Rohl's baptism by fire continued as Rangers manager, with the team facing off against Kilmarnock in a high-stakes encounter. Less than two weeks into his new role, Rohl's side is tasked with turning around a season that has seen them trail 14 points behind league leaders Hearts and struggle at the bottom of the Europa League table.
The Rangers-Kilmarnock fixture has often been known for its fiery passion, and Saturday's match did not disappoint. Unlike their tepid 0-0 draw in August, this encounter saw a renewed sense of intensity and purpose, with both teams giving it their all at Hampden Park.
Disaster was narrowly averted for Rangers when Nasser Djiga's clearance inadvertently hit teammate Nico Raskin and looped into the net. However, a VAR review overturned the goal, citing offside against Daizen Maeda in the lead-up to the incident.
Celtic took advantage of the reprieve and seized control of the match, taking the lead midway through the first half. Kenny powered home a precise header from Arne Engels' corner, giving Celtic a crucial advantage heading into the break.
The holders seemed to be cruising towards a comfortable win, but their momentum was disrupted when Oscar Aasgaard was sent off for a reckless studs-up challenge on Anthony Ralston. Celtic were fortunate to escape a similar fate before halftime, as Auston Trusty landed a blow to the head of Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland.
See you in December, Celts 😁#CELRAN | #PremierSportsCup | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/CaLrtAFvVF
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) November 2, 2025
The incident came against the backdrop of a tumultuous period for Celtic under Rodgers, whose final days in charge were marred by frustration over the team's failure to strengthen their attacking options during the transfer window.
Celtic's inability to seal the win in regular time proved costly, as O'Neill struggled to hide his frustration. Despite dominating against a 10-man Rangers side, Celtic failed to deliver the knockout blow in the second half. Their lack of clinical finishing ultimately came back to haunt them when Anthony Ralston was penalized for handball with 10 minutes remaining, and James Tavernier coolly slotted the penalty past the Celtic goalkeeper to force extra time.
In extra time, Celtic's quality eventually told, with Callum McGregor and Callum Osmand scoring crucial goals to secure a 3-1 win and send Celtic to the Scottish League Cup final.
Celtic's superior numbers eventually paid off in extra time, as Rangers' energy waned. Jack Butland struggled to deal with Callum McGregor's powerful long-range shot, which slipped past him and into the net. The young Callum Osmand then sealed the win for Celtic, sliding in a cross from Kieran Tierney to secure his team's place in the final.
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