Rodgers: Celtic showed ´big heart´ to clinch Scottish League Cup

Brendan Rodgers was delighted with the “big heart” Celtic showed to come from behind and beat Rangers on penalties in the Scottish League Cup final.

The game finished 3-3 after 120 minutes, with five of the goals coming in the second half of normal time.

Kasper Schmeichel then denied Ridvan Yilmaz from 12 yards, setting up Daizen Maeda to score the winning spot-kick and secure Celtic a 22nd title in the competition, and their 199th trophy overall.

Rangers had taken a 1-0 lead into the break before Celtic scored twice in the first 15 minutes of the second half to flip the script, and Rodgers lauded his players’ attitude during their fight back.

“Great game to be involved in. It’s what you expect in a final,” Rodgers said. “You never get it all your own way.

“Rangers played well in spells, we had moments in the game as well, but ultimately it’s about coming out on top, and we were able to do that.

“I know the magnitude of this game for both sets of supporters – it means so much to people’s lives. It’s maybe my 20th game, but I treat it like the first and prepare that way.

“It’s just all about coming out on the other side. The guys showed big heart to come back from being behind in the game and then to show that composure in the penalties. The most important thing is being on the podium at the end, and they achieved that.”

Back home #PremierSportsCup | #CelticFC pic.twitter.com/2Hzn841Mzi

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

Philippe Clement, meanwhile, was left lamenting what he felt was a decisive penalty decision as they failed to defend their title.

Having twice come from behind to level the score in the second half, Rangers saw their first chance of extra time go amiss when Liam Scales tugged back Vaclav Cerny right on the edge of the penalty area, leaving Clement frustrated there was no VAR intervention.

“Football can be amazing fun, but it can be very cruel,” he said. “This was a very cruel one, I think.

“My team deserved more today, creating more chances than the opponent, coming back in a good way and then losing with penalties at the end. It stays a casino game in that moment.

“My phone is overloaded with the penalty situation with Cerny, so I get hundreds of messages about that. It’s a really decisive moment in the game.”

He then asked if any of the reporters had seen the incident, with one responding that the incident was on the line, Clement added: “So, it’s a penalty then.”