Callum McGregor proved the hero for Celtic as his second-half strike shattered Rangers' resistance to send the Hoops through to the Scottish League Cup final in a dramatic Old Firm encounter at a rain-swept Hampden Park.
The Celtic captain broke the deadlock with just 14 minutes remaining, unleashing a powerful low drive that finally breached the Rangers defence after a match characterised by stubborn defending and missed opportunities.
A Tale of Two Halves at Hampden
The first half saw Rangers adopt a disciplined defensive approach, frustrating Celtic's attacking efforts while creating few chances of their own. The Hoops dominated possession but struggled to convert their superiority into clear-cut opportunities against a well-organised Rangers back line.
Brendan Rodgers' side emerged with renewed purpose after the interval, increasing the tempo and putting the Rangers defence under sustained pressure. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 76th minute when McGregor collected the ball on the edge of the area and fired a clinical finish into the bottom corner.
Rodgers' Tactical Masterstroke
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers made several key substitutions that ultimately changed the complexion of the match. The introduction of fresh attacking options in the second half stretched the Rangers defence and created the space McGregor needed for his match-winning contribution.
The victory maintains Celtic's impressive record in domestic cup competitions and sets up a final showdown against either Aberdeen or Heart of Midlothian next month. For Rangers, it represents another painful defeat in a crucial Old Firm encounter and extends their wait for silverware.
What This Means for Scottish Football
This result reinforces Celtic's dominance in Scottish football and provides a significant psychological boost in the early stages of the season. The manner of victory - grinding down a determined Rangers side - will please Rodgers as much as the result itself.
For Rangers manager and his players, the search for answers continues after another big-game defeat. Despite a disciplined defensive performance for large periods, they ultimately lacked the cutting edge to trouble Celtic when it mattered most.
The stage is now set for Celtic to defend their League Cup title next month, while Rangers must regroup ahead of the next Old Firm encounter in the Scottish Premiership.
