Captain leads Celtic into League Cup final with derby win at Hampden | OneFootball

Premier Sports CupSemi-finalSunday, November 2, 2025Hampden Park, Glasgow

CELTIC… 3(Kenny 25 McGregor 93, Osmand 108)

RANGERS… 1(Tavernier 81pen)

(after extra-time)

Celtic booked their place in the Premier Sports Cup final with an impressive and emphatic 3-1 victory over Rangers at Hampden, thanks to goals from Johnny Kenny, Callum McGregor and Callum Osmand.

It was clear from the first whistle that Celtic were determined to impose themselves on the game and looked dangerous down either flank, with Daizen Maeda down the right and Sebastian Tounekti on the left.

And it was the Tunisian winger who was the first to try his luck with an effort from outside the area that went high and wide.

Celtic’s first clear-cut chance came on 18 minutes when Maeda latched on to a ball inside the box but his effort was saved by the Rangers keeper.

At the other end, Youssef Chermiti squandered a great opportunity from six yards out after he latched on to a through ball.

Celtic had the ball in the net just before the 20-minute mark when an attempted clearance came off a Rangers player and ended up in the net, but following a VAR review it was ruled out for offside in the build-up.

However, Celtic took the lead on 25 minutes when Johnny Kenny headed home an Arne Engels corner from the near post. It was no more than Celtic deserved for their efforts and the Irishman came close three minutes later, but this time Jack Butland saved his shot.

On the half-hour mark, Kasper Schmeichel was called upon to deny Nico Raskin after he was put through on goal.

And on 38 minutes, Rangers were reduced to 10 men after a terrible challenge on Anthony Ralston received a well-deserved red card.

Celtic had one more great chance before the break but Benjamin Nygren’s right-foot effort from just inside the box went wide of the target.

With the one-man advantage, Celtic looked to extend their lead after the break, and Johnny Kenny was sent through on goal but his effort was saved, while a curling effort by Arne Engels from 25 yards out went narrowly wide.

Benjamin Nygren had a great chance on 68 minutes but his left-footed effort went just over, and two minutes later Celtic went even closer when substitute James Forrest hit the bar with a shot.

Five minutes later, Forrest set up fellow substitute, Reo Hatate, and while his low shot was bundled by the Rangers keeper, he smothered it at the second attempt.

With 11 minutes remaining, Rangers got back on level terms from the penalty spot after Ralston was penalised for handball inside the area, and James Tavernier converted the spot-kick.

Callum Osmand, on for Johnny Kenny, had a great chance to score his first Celtic goal with five minutes remaining, but his effort from eight yards out was saved.

However, Celtic continued to press forward in search of a winner, and in added time Reo Hatate’s shot from 15 yards out went just over when it looked as though he’d score.

With just three minutes of extra-time gone, Callum McGregor put Celtic ahead with a stunning strike from outside the box that the Rangers keeper could do nothing about.

And the Hoops almost extended their lead minutes later, but Osmand’s diving header was tipped round the post by Butland.

Kasper Schmeichel then came to Celtic’s rescue after Djeidi Gassama was put through on goal, with the Hoops keeper blocking the effort.

And he then dived at the legs of Bojan Miovski to push the ball away from the Rangers forward.

Osmand then had another chance saved by Butland after he spun his man inside the box and struck a low shot on target.

But the young striker was not to be denied and he fired Celtic into a 3-1 lead just three minutes into the second half of extra-time.

Martin O'Neill's side were now in cruise control and could well have added to their three goals as they continued to create chances.

However, as chants for the Celtic manager echoed around Hampden, the referee's final whistle signalled the end of an iimpressive derby performance for the Hoops, who will now take on St Mirren in next month's Premier Sports Cup final.