On December 15, Celtic secured their 22nd Scottish League Cup title after battling archrivals Rangers to a tense 3-3 draw, eventually triumphing 5-4 in the penalty shootout. The match, held at Hampden Park, was nothing short of spectacular, bursting with drama and high stakes as both teams fought for supremacy.
The game kicked off under challenging weather conditions but with the air thick with anticipation from the passionate fans who filled the stands. The atmosphere was electric as both Celtic and Rangers strived to lay claim to the coveted trophy, the first major title of the Scottish football season.
Rangers took the lead first, with Nedim Baïrami scoring at the 41st minute after capitalizing on Celtic's defensive error. Baïrami intercepted Greg Taylor's careless pass, finishing decisively to put his side up 1-0 as half-time approached.
Rejecting frustration, Celtic came back energized after the break. Just 11 minutes later, Taylor redeemed himself by scoring the equalizer, his shot deflecting off defenders to find the net. The match was poised at 1-1, but Celtic was far from finished.
At the hour mark, Daizen Maeda showcased his incredible speed and skill. He pressed hard, stealing the ball from the Rangers' defense, and with remarkable control, he lifted and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Jack Butland. This strike marked Maeda's 11th goal of the season and put Celtic 2-1 ahead, igniting cheers from the Celtic supporters.
Yet, the match displayed the unpredictable nature of fierce rivalries. Rangers fought back with spirit, equalizing again when Mohamed Diomande scored after receiving the ball from the edge of the box at the 75 minutes mark. With the score tied at 2-2, both teams pushed for dominance late in the game.
Just when it seemed Celtic was gaining control, Nicholas Geeritt-Kyuun's goal at the 87th minute gave Celtic their third lead of the match, sending Celtic fans wild. Desperately, Rangers retaliated immediately, with Danilo heading the tying goal from close range just one minute later, ensuring the match ended level at 3-3.
With neither team able to secure victory during the 30-minute extra time, the outcome was decided by penalties. Celtic's goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel, was the standout performer, denying Rangers' fourth penalty taker, Ridvan Yılmaz, which gave Celtic the edge. Celtic's players stepped up confidently, successfully converting all their shots.
Maeda, who earlier had been instrumental during the match, took the fifth and decisive penalty, coolly slotting it home to seal the 5-4 victory after four successful kicks from his teammates. The jubilant scenes were fitting as Celtic celebrated regaining the trophy after two seasons.
Post-match, Maeda expressed his joy, sharing on social media, "Thank you for your wonderful support!" holding the trophy proudly.
The triumph marks yet another historic chapter for Celtic, as not only did they defeat their bitter rivals, but they also claimed their 118th title overall, establishing themselves as Scotland's most decorated football club. The Japanese trio of Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Reo Hatate, who all started the match, showcased their talent on this grand stage, contributing significantly to the team's success.
Celtic now shifts focus to future matches, riding the momentum of their hard-earned victory and with high expectations as they continue through the season.
