Celtic 3-3 Rangers (5-4 on pens): Maeda clinches Hoops´ 22nd Scottish League Cup

Daizen Maeda scored the match-winning spot-kick for Celtic, as they beat holders Rangers 5-4 on penalties in the Scottish League Cup final.

There were five second-half goals as a 3-3 draw after 90 minutes forced extra time, before Maeda scored the winner, capitalising on Ridvan Yilmaz’s missed penalty.

Rangers broke the deadlock in the 41st minute, with Nedim Bajrami capitalising on Greg Taylor’s loose backpass. He unselfishly tried to set up Hamza Igamane, whose shot was parried by Kasper Schmeichel, with the Albanian coolly slotting in the rebound.

Taylor made amends for his error after the break, volleying a bouncing effort through the crowd following a corner before Maeda flipped the script on the hour mark, firing through Jack Butland after pouncing on Leon Balogun’s loose header.

Mohamed Diomande expertly fired in an equaliser after 75 minutes, holding off his defender to beat Schmeichel at the near post, but the goalkeeper was then equal to his next attempt, superbly tipping it wide at full stretch.

It looked like Nicolas Kuhn had won it for Celtic in the 87th minute, playing a delightful one-two with Arne Engels to beat Butland, but Rangers had one last trick up their sleeves.

Danilo, who came on shortly before Kuhn’s goal, headed in another equaliser for Philippe Clement’s side just 21 seconds after the restart to round off a dramatic 90 minutes.

There was nothing to split the sides in the next 30 minutes, with none of the first six takers missing. Schmeichel then got down low to his left to keep out Yilmaz, but Butland, who had scored Rangers’ final spot-kick, could not keep out Maeda’s winner.

Glasgow Celtic are the 2024/25 #PremierSportsCup Winners!

Congratulations to Brendan Rodgers & the Bhoys! #CelticFC pic.twitter.com/3M0womSVAo

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) December 15, 2024

Data Debrief: Bringing it home

Celtic dominated possession in the final, but were actually second-best in front of goal for much of the contest, initially struggling to find a way past Butland, who made an impressive double save early on.

Rangers had 19 shots overall, getting eight on target, compared to seven from 10 of Celtic’s attempts, with Brendan Rodgers’ side initially struggling to find a way past Butland, who made an impressive double save just 15 minutes in.

However, Celtic had the final say, winning the competition for the 22nd time as they took the trophy back from their Old Firm rivals.