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Rangers vs Celtic result: Christopher Jullien settles fiery Scottish League Cup final

Reuters
Reuters

Celtic stunned Old Firm rivals Rangers to clinch the Scottish League Cup in a thrilling, yet fiery final at Hampden Park.

The Gers could not break down their 10-man opponents with goalkeeper Fraser Forster pulling off a series of heroic saves to ensure Christopher Jullien‘s strike captured the 10th successive domestic trophy for the Bhoys.

Rangers missed a series of opportunities, including Alfredo Morelos missing from the spot after Hoops right-back Jeremie Frimpong was shown a red card by referee Willie Collum for fouling the Colombian inside the box.

Neil Lennon’s side survived to win the tournament for the first time as a manager, ensuring Celtic delivered a psychological blow to Rangers ahead of the gripping title race.

Steven Gerrard’s wait to bring silverware back to Ibrox goes on, with the club’s drought extending to eight years. This was another epic final between the two Glasgow giants.

Celtic captain Scott Brown celebrates (PA)
Celtic captain Scott Brown celebrates (PA)

The usual speculation and rumour surrounding team news before the game was ended when it was confirmed that Odsonne Edouard was only fit enough for the bench.

Mohamed Elyounoussi and Jonny Hayes came back in with Frimpong and Jullien also returning as Nir Bitton, Olivier Ntcham and Moritz Bauer dropped out, the latter altogether, with Greg Taylor cup-tied.

Rangers left-back Borna Barisic recovered from a foot injury to take over from Jon Flanagan, with Glen Kamara in for injured midfielder Steven Davis.

Few would have predicted the way Rangers bossed the first half as the rain refused to take a break.

Light Blues defender Connor Goldson twice missed the target with headers from James Tavernier deliveries before Forster pulled off a terrific save from Ryan Jack’s 30-yard thunderbolt.

The keeper almost let an angled-drive from Morelos slip through him and then Rangers defender Filip Helander headed a Tavernier corner past the post moments later.

Celtic were struggling to cope with Rangers’ intensity.

Hoops defender Kristoffer Ajer headed a Christie corner over the bar but there was another Rangers chance in the 26th minute.

Morelos skipped past Ajer down the right but from an almost impossible angle he drove straight at Forster, with team-mates better placed.

Forster made another save from the Colombia international, this time from close range, as the aggressive Light Blues again got in behind the Celtic defence with ease.

Winger Mikey Johnston replaced the ineffective Elyounoussi for the start of the second half but Celtic soon had to defend with desperation.

Morelos came close when he returned a Tavernier cross back along the goal-line and then Forster again denied the forward with a terrific save from a close-range header.

In between that, a penalty shout when Morelos tangled with Celtic skipper Scott Brown inside the box was ignored by referee Collum.

Christopher Jullien celebrates his winner for Celtic (PA)
Christopher Jullien celebrates his winner for Celtic (PA)

There was no surprise when Edouard replaced Lewis Morgan in the 58th minute and his impact was immediate.

The French striker was chopped down by Goldson and Christie’s free-kick from the left was steered in by Jullien, although there was a suggestion of offside.

Four minutes later, amid the bedlam, Morelos had the chance to break his Old Firm scoring duck when he was hauled to the ground by Frimpong, the 18-year-old Dutch defender sent packing before the Rangers striker saw his penalty parried away by Forster.

Celtic had the chance to double their lead in the 69th minute when Edouard set up Johnston on the break but with only keeper Allan McGregor to beat he lost his footing and shot wide.

The final moments were frantic and there was another Rangers penalty claim turned down when Johnston jumped with Morelos but Lennon’s side survived to create another record and leave Rangers wondering what they have to do to end the Hoops’ hegemony.