Celtic vs Rangers LIVE: Scottish League Cup final latest goals and Old Firm updates as Kuhn and Danilo score late

The first silverware of the Scottish season is on the line as the Old Firm rivals collide in the Scottish League Cup final.

Celtic and Rangers meet at Hampden Park as the competition’s two most successful clubs renew hostilities in Glasgow. Philippe Clement may be yet to test victory in this fixture since arriving at Ibrox but it is his side who are the defending champions after a narrow win against Aberdeen last December. Their hopes of victory today were also boosted by a highly encouraging showing in the Europa League, with a draw against Tottenham the latest in a string of good performances in Europe.

Domestically, though, it is the defending Scottish Premiership champions who are streaking clear. Celtic are yet to lose in the league this season and are already nine points clear of their closest challengers with a game in hand. Having missed out on this trophy last year, Brendan Rodgers will be looking to keep his hopes of winning a third treble at the club alive having previously achieved the feat in both 2017 and 2018.

Follow all of the latest from the Scottish League Cup final in our live blog below:

Celtic vs Rangers LIVE

• Celtic take on Rangers in the Scottish League Cup final| Live on Premier Sports

• Philippe Clement’s Rangers are the defending champions, Celtic hunting potential treble

• Celtic XI: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor, McGregor, Bernardo, Hatate, Kuhn, Maeda, Kyogo.

• Rangers XI: Butland, Tavernier, Balogun, Propper, Jefte, Diomande, Raskin, Hagi, Bajrami, Cerny, Igamane.

• GOAL! 41’ - Bajrami taps in the rebound after winning possession and freeing Igamane for the initial shot (0-1)

• GOAL! 56’ - Taylor’s shot is deflected in for the equaliser (1-1)

• GOAL! 60’ - Maeda immediately puts Celtic ahead after brilliant control and finish (2-1)

• GOAL! 74’ - Diomande spins to bounce in an equaliser (2-2)

• GOAL! 87’ - Kuhn buries a low finish to restore lead late on (3-2)

• GOAL! 88’ - Danilo equalises within seconds once more (3-3)

90’+2 - Celtic 3-3 Rangers

17:30 , Karl Matchett

Into stoppage time and Celtic pushing on once more. Have they got another goal in them or can Rangers find a way to push on and take the lead again themselves? Carter-Vickers now goes into the book for a strong follow-through on his tackle.

Hagi skips past a tackle and frees Danilo, it comes back to Hagi...blocked behind and a corner for Rangers. It’s cleared, Celtic try to break, Tavernier hauls down his man for another blatant yellow.

GOAL! 88’ - Celtic 3-3 Rangers

17:25 , Karl Matchett

Absolutely astonishing! Rangers back on level terms 20 seconds after kick-off!! A delivery from the right is high and central, Danilo - just on the pitch - rises highest and buries a magnificent header past Schmeichel to make it 3-3!

Six minutes added on, Raskin booked for a blatant foul.

GOAL! 86’ - Celtic 3-2 Rangers

17:22 , Karl Matchett

Danilo for Bajrami in another Rangers sub. Only five minutes left on the clock but as it stands, he’ll be playing extra time too. Unless...

GOAL! Kuhn to Engels down the right channel, a cut-back straight into the path of Kuhn once more and he absolutely buries his chance, right-footed, past Butland, into the net low and central.

It’s 3-2 to Celtic and with just a few left to play!

82’ - Celtic 2-2 Rangers

17:20 , Karl Matchett

Kuhn wins back the ball, dribbles past two and finds Idah - he goes down in the box but it’s no foul, no penalty. Well inside the final ten now and it’s getting fractious.

Bajrami beats his man in the box at the opposite end of the pitch and wallops in a shot but only finds the side netting.

78’ - Celtic 2-2 Rangers

17:16 , Karl Matchett

Adam Idah on for Kyogo for Celtic - he scored a last-minute Scottish Cup final winner in a meeting between these teams at the end of last season. The Irishman will hope for a similar impact here.

What have we got left to happen in the final ten minutes?!

GOAL! 74’ - Celtic 2-2 Rangers

17:10 , Karl Matchett

GOAL!

Igamane hasn’t had too much in terms of clear sights of goal but he has one now - and totally fluffs his lines, shanking a shot from ten yards out and miskicking entirely.

But there’s another chance soon after a Scales error which leads to a corner - and this time Diomande’s touch is good, his first shot on the spin does enough to flummox Schmeichel - and it’s in and over the line! 2-2 and all square again!

72’ - Celtic 2-1 Rangers

17:06 , Karl Matchett

Rodgers’ turn to go to the bench now and Celtic go for a double sub. Engels and Ralston on for Johnston and Bernardo.

Just under 20 minutes to go and the Bhoys have this under control at present - the emphasis very much on Rangers to find another gear and raise their attacking play, which hasn’t really been in evidence since that chance early in the second half.

Cerny has a go now from range and it’s fiercely struck, but easily saved.

68’ - Celtic 2-1 Rangers

17:02 , Karl Matchett

Dujon Sterling is on for Leon Balogun for Rangers, while they also made a change in around those quickfire goals - left-back Jefte was replaced by Yilmaz as Kuhn has had him on toast.

Yellow card for Kyogo for a late foul and a few too many words of complaint.

Yilmaz then runs onto a bouncing ball and smashes a half-volley almost out of the stadium - not quite troubling Schmeichel that one.

64’ - Celtic 2-1 Rangers

16:59 , Karl Matchett

What a rapid turnaround that was - now Rangers have to pick themselves up and just get a foothold in the game. They had a four-on-one chance remember, spurned it, and within five or six minutes they’ve gone from winning to losing.

The Gers want a penalty as Carter-Vickers goes flying into a tackle in the box, but actually the Celtic defender gets the decision as his clearance was met by a late boot from a blue shirt. The atmosphere in the ground has totally turned.

GOAL! 60’ - Celtic 2-1 Rangers

16:55 , Karl Matchett

The tide has totally turned since that goal - Kuhn is running Rangers ragged and frees Kyogo for another chance which is saved.

Green and white shirts are flooding forward...and the turnaround is immediately complete!!

A bouncing ball in midfield sees Maeda quickest to it, his control is brilliant from a dropping ball and a left-footed finish is tucked under Butland to suddenly have Celtic 2-1 ahead!

What a turnaround.

GOAL! 56’ - Celtic 1-1 Rangers

16:51 , Karl Matchett

Kuhn has been about the only consistent positive outlet for Celtic and he beats his man again to get a shot away this time, but Butland blocks it near post. Johnston then crosses low for Kyogo who sees his near-post shot diverted around the post - but from the corner it’s 1-1!

The set piece is only half-cleared, Greg Taylor swings a left foot at it and the ball is deflected late past Butland who has already gone to ground and it’s in off Raskin - all square!

54’ - Celtic 0-1 Rangers

16:47 , Karl Matchett

Rangers should be 2-0 up. Again they win the ball in midfield and suddenly it’s four on one, really, four on one...but Carter-Vickers lunges in to make a must-win challenge and just about manages to cut the attempted cross out and divert it behind for a corner.

Great individual defending, shocking team play, massive missed chance for Rangers.

From the corner Schmeichel and Igamane clash and both go to ground, but the ref tells them to get on with it. Bernardo shoved the forward into his goalkeeper anyway.

50’ - Celtic 0-1 Rangers

16:45 , Karl Matchett

Bernardo flicks a free-kick into the box and it’s Scales who is up to nod at goal, but it’s only a glancer and it flies wide of Butland’s goal.

At the other end another sloppy ball from Johnston this time sees Hagi and Igamane link up but there’s no shot at the end of it.

46' - Celtic 0-1 Rangers

16:43 , Karl Matchett

Back underway at Hampden Park. No changes for Rangers, but Auston Trusty is replaced at the break for Celtic. Liam Scales is on for him.

Celtic already a couple of times since the break though have played out of defence to...not great effect. Improvement required there.

HT - Celtic 0-1 Rangers

16:34 , Karl Matchett

Here’s the goal which separates the sides - so many loose passes from Celtic in this half.

HT - Celtic 0-1 Rangers

16:25 , Karl Matchett

Balogun wins another loose ball and bursts forward past a few challenges - Rangers really are dominant in the middle of the park when it comes to getting transitions right and causing Celtic problems at the end of them.

This time Balogun’s cross is cleared and Cerny’s eventual shot is blocked...and there’s the whistle.

Half time and Rangers lead!

44’ - Celtic 0-1 Rangers

16:20 , Karl Matchett

Yellow card for Jefte after an off-the-ball collision with Kuhn. Looks like he dragged him down perhaps as the winger ran past.

Celtic need a response then - Brendan Rodgers stalking about not looking happy. His team have only lost once all season in all competitions.

Three minutes added on in the first half.

GOAL! 41’ - Celtic 0-1 Rangers

16:17 , Karl Matchett

And that’s exactly what happens a moment later! A loose ball in the middle, Bajrami wins possession and frees Igamane to run in on goal, he shoots low and Schmeichel saves - but only parried into the six-yard box once more, where Bajrami has continued his run and simply rolls it into the back of the net!

Rangers ahead, four minutes before the interval.

40’ - Celtic 0-0 Rangers

16:15 , Karl Matchett

Approaching the half-time whistle and Celtic have probably just about edged the half for control, but not really for dangerous moments - just that one earlier Kuhn dribble has given Rangers much cause for concern.

The Gers have grown into the game and been snappier in the challenge, for sure.

36’ - Celtic 0-0 Rangers

16:11 , Karl Matchett

Bajrami dribbles about 30 yards very quickly, taking the ball past two or three Celtic shirts up to the edge of the box...but with options left and right, he opts to shoot wildly, barely catching the ball properly and sending it dribbling wide of goal.

Trusty then almost gifts the ball inside his own penalty box and Carter-Vickers does really well to see off a challenge on the stretch - bit of a let-off for Celtic.

Moments later a foul by Hagi sees Trusty fall into Balogun and he’s hurt, needing some attention. Looks he’ll continue for now.

32’ - Celtic 0-0 Rangers

16:07 , Karl Matchett

McGregor dribbles out, loses the ball and Igamane ends up blazing a shot straight into a crowd of defenders.

Rangers doing well to win back the ball high upfield a few times, but without the end pass thereafter. Celtic are faring better when they go direct rather than trying to dribble or play out of their own defensive zone.

28’ - Celtic 0-0 Rangers

16:02 , Karl Matchett

Alastair Johnston heads the ball forward - ball at head height therefore - and is kicked somewhere around the stomach region by Igamane. Play on, says the referee. Celtic are awarded a corner when nobody else appears to think that’s the right decision, and the ball in is poor and cleared by the first man.

Kyogo tries to run in behind once more but Butland is off his line and gathers up cleanly.

A little scruffy in this stage of the game but Celtic definitely on top.

24’ - Celtic 0-0 Rangers

15:59 , Karl Matchett

Drop of the shoulder and a turn away - Matate gets away from Balogun and is chopped down by the defender, just a few yards outside the box. Celtic try to take it quickly but the ref isn’t ready, as he’s still in the middle of booking Balogun.

In more considered fashion, Kuhn and Bernardo line up the dead ball...and the latter then blams it straight into the wall.

20’ - Celtic 0-0 Rangers

15:55 , Karl Matchett

The game has come alive now. Jefte pushes forward down the left and as Johnston loses his footing he streaks past him into the area - but the cut-back is between two blue shirts and cleared by a green.

Balogun then manages to clear to prevent Maeda getting in behind him down the left, with Celtic happy to go direct very quickly if there’s space behind the defence at any point.

16’ - Celtic 0-0 Rangers

15:50 , Karl Matchett

Massive chance for Celtic! Bernardo feeds a lovely ball over the top to find Kuhn who blazes past Propper down the right flank, cuts inside and tries to take on Butland - he gets down to put a hand on the ball and nudge it away, it arrives at the feet of of Hatate and he shoots first time...saved again, this time with the former England keeper’s feet.

A third save from Butland follows a minute later in more routine fashion as Kyogo half-volleys on the run to the near post, but straight at the stopper.

12’ - Celtic 0-0 Rangers

15:47 , Karl Matchett

A good example below of the smoke-filled scenes we had earlier on...and where they came from.

Igamane goes down to win a free-kick, but on the next phase concedes one himself for a foul on Johnston.

Celtic doing well to control early possession but they haven’t done too much with it yet in the attacking third.

8’ - Celtic 0-0 Rangers

15:43 , Karl Matchett

Balogun almost gets himself into all kinds of trouble as he misses the ball entirely on a first challenge, Maeda skips around him and into the box...but the Rangers defender stretches out a long leg and hooks the ball away at the second attempt. Close to a first big sight of goal for the green and white shirts.

4’ - Celtic 0-0 Rangers

15:40 , Karl Matchett

Maeda does well to hold up a ball down the left but he’s nowhere to go and is surrounded by three defenders. Tavernier eventually puts a meaty challenge in and the ball bounces away for a goal kick.

Up the other end a looping ball lands for Hagi who shoots from an angle - Schmeichel parries it straight back into his own six-yard box, but a teammate is on hand to clear.

2’ - Celtic 0-0 Rangers

15:37 , Karl Matchett

The wind is billowing the corner flag as Hagi goes over to take the first set-piece of the game but his delivery is short and Celtic clear.

Lots of noise from both sets of fans in the early minutes, who can now see the pitch again as the smoke clears.

0’ - Celtic 0-0 Rangers

15:35 , Karl Matchett

Kick-off! Celtic were ready to go then told it was Rangers’ kick-off - they get us underway and the League Cup final has begun.

Celtic v Rangers - live

15:33 , Karl Matchett

Loads of smoke billowing across the skyline and out of the stadium so we’ll have a few minutes of delay - clouds of it from flares and fireworks and all the rest. We’re ready to go though!

Celtic v Rangers - live

15:30 , Karl Matchett

A massive roar greets the players as they emerge - Hampden is rocking. A loud and busy cup final is on the way next.

Celtic v Rangers - live

15:22 , Karl Matchett

One defeat in 19 for Brendan Rodgers against Celtic.

“It’s a nice focus in the early part of the season. We’ve started the season so well, this is an opportunity for something tangible from that,” he said.

“Johnston felt pain in the Zagreb game but he was absolutely fine.

“They’ll come into the game with confidence but for us it’s about how we play and how we show our football.”

Celtic v Rangers - live

15:18 , Karl Matchett

As for Rangers, it’s Balogun and Propper in at centre-back with John Souttar out injured.

“It’s a huge miss that Souttar’s out he’s been really consistent this season. But the two guys in have to communicate and not allow space behind. Leon Balogun has a big game in front of him,” former right-back Alan Hutton says.

“We’re always confident, I believe in my team. We’re getting better and better,” manager Philippe Clement says ahead of kick-off. “Others have to stand up and do the job, that’s the world of football,” he adds on Souttar’s absence.

Celtic v Rangers - live

15:15 , Karl Matchett

Alistair Johnston is fit and starting for Celtic at right-back, despite doubts he’d make it.

“A huge boost for Celtic, he’s a wonderful player going forward and defensively what he brings to the team. He’s a great relationship with Kuhn which has really blossomed this season,” says Neil Lennon.

That right flank will be a key one for the Hoops.

Celtic v Rangers - live

15:11 , Karl Matchett

We are 20 minutes from kick-off!

Atmosphere building, teams almost set. A massive occasion at Hampden.

Clement “under zero pressure” to win

15:05 , Chris Wilson

In his pre-match press conference, Ranger boss Philippe Clement said that he feels “under zero pressure” to beat Celtic, adding that he is “200%” focused on winning games and winning trophies.

“There will be mind games” and the players will “need to handle that well,” he said, adding that “the belief is there before a match”.

On Celtic’s extra time to recover, he added: “I’m not busy with that. I’m just focused on ourselves. But having played Thursday/Sunday for much of the season is a help. Your body adapts to that.”

Rodgers: “You never get bored of them"

14:55 , Chris Wilson

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers told the media that his side “never get bored of” Old Firm derbies, adding that “it’s such an iconic fixture throughout the world so to have the possibility to have so many in the season is amazing”.

“This is what we’re built for, the tougher the challenge, that’s what we relish.

“It’s not any other game, it’s an iconic game for everyone to be involved in.

“That’s not lost on me but from a coaching perspective it’s about what allows us to perform and for us that’s to stay calm, look at our tactics in the game and how we pitch that to the players so they can go and play.”

Celtic v Rangers live

14:45 , Chris Wilson

45 minutes until kick-off, so here’s a reminder of how you can watch today’s match.

The Scottish League Cup final is set to kick off at 3.30pm GMT on Sunday 15 December at Hampden Park.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Premier Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 3pm GMT. Subscribers can stream via the Premier Sports website.

If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

Team news

14:30 , Chris Wilson

Rangers boss Philippe Clement has made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Spurs in the Europa League.

In defence, John Souttar drops out for Leon Balogun, while on the wing, Rıdvan Yılmaz has been replaced by Ianis Hagi.

Team news

14:25 , Chris Wilson

Celtic line up with the exact same 11 as that which drew 0-0 to Dinamo Zagreb in midweek.

It’s a 4-3-3, with Callum McGregor playing as the more central midfielder and Paulo Bernardo and Reo Hatate on either side of the captain.

Up front, Kyogo Furuhashi starts centrally with Daizen Maeda on the left and Nicolas Kühn on the right.

Rangers line-up

14:19 , Chris Wilson

Rangers XI: Butland, Tavernier, Balogun, Propper, Jefte, Diomande, Raskin, Hagi, Bajrami, Cerny, Igamane.

Subs: Kelly, Ridvan, Barron, Dessers, Dowell, Sterling, King, Danilo, McCausland.

Celtic line-up

14:17 , Chris Wilson

Celtic XI: Schmeichel; Johnson, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor, McGregor, Bernardo, Hatate, Kuhn, Maeda, Kyogo.

Subs: Sinisalo, Scales, Palma, Valle, Idah, Yang, Engels, Forrest, Ralston.

Celtic vs Rangers - live

14:15 , Karl Matchett

Both these sides were in midweek action in Europe, with Rangers’ tie perhaps the more eyecatching one despite being in the lower competition.

The Gers drew with Premier League side Tottenham 1-1 in an enthralling encounter. leaving them eighth in the Europa League table with two matches to play. The top eight go through so there’s work still to do, but it’s in their own hands to avoid the playoffs.

As for Celtic, they also drew, with their 0-0 scoreline at Dinamo Zagreb meaning they sit 21st in the Champions League, above the likes of Man City and level on points with Real Madrid. Another positive result in their remaining two games is still required to ensure they make the playoffs - they need top 24 for that.

Celtic vs Rangers - live

14:00 , Karl Matchett

Celtic have again been the dominant force in Scottish football of late, winning the title in 12 of the last 13 seasons. Since 2017 they’ve also won the Scottish Cup six times and the League Cup the same amount, which naturally means Rangers’ own trophy cupboard has had fewer additions recently.

The 2020/21 SPL title was theirs, so too the 2022 Scottish Cup and as mentioned, last season’s League Cup.

They finished runners-up in the Europa League too in ‘22 but there’s no trophy for that. They’d certainly like to add more silverware today to skew the balance a little more.

Celtic vs Rangers - live

13:45 , Karl Matchett

The League Cup route this season for both teams:

Celtic

• second round - 3-1 v Hibs

• Quarter-final 5-2 v Falkirk

• Semi-final 6-0 v Aberdeen

Rangers

• second round - 2-0 v St Johnstone

• QF 3-0 v Dundee

• SF 2-1 v Motherwell

Celtic vs Rangers - live

13:30 , Karl Matchett

So, 2024/25 then: The sides met in the SPL derby back in September and it was a very routine win for Celtic that time, 3-0 with Maeda, Furuhashi and McGregor all scoring. Rangers had a few out injured but the gulf in the sides was evident.

That was the 442nd meeting between the sides, with Celtic now winning 170, Rangers 169 and 103 finishing draws.

In this competition, the League Cup, it’s 25 wins for Celtic, 24 for Rangers and two draws from 51 meetings.

What will the 52nd bring?

Celtic vs Rangers - live

13:15 , Karl Matchett

Before we get into this season, worth remembering these two met in the Scottish Cup final at the end of last term - Celtic emerged victorious that day to complete a league and cup double.

Adam Idah scored a last-minute goal to settle the match 1-0, with 12 yellow cards shown - but no reds.

That was the first Old Firm meeting in a Scottish Cup final since 2002; now a few months on we’ve got another in another competition.

Celtic vs Rangers - live

13:00 , Karl Matchett

In the Scottish Premiership this season, there’s a bit of a gulf between the two sides.

Celtic are top on 43 points having drawn once and won 14 times from 15 games - that relentlessness has them a massive 12 points ahead of Rangers, who have lost three times this season.

The Gers are also only third in the table, as they trail Aberdeen by two points, though they do have a game in hand on the Dons.

They’ve won their last three in the league, scoring ten and conceding none in the process, to mark a definite uptick in consistency of late, but Celtic can merely point to their win streak currently standing at seven in the SPL.

In all competitions Rangers are nine unbeaten including a 1-1 draw with Tottenham in midweek, while Celtic are 14 unbeaten since a 7-1 thrashing - their only loss this term - at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Celtic vs Rangers - live

12:45 , Karl Matchett

Last year’s final saw the Gers beat Aberdeen 1-0, James Tavernier scoring the goal before lifting the trophy himself.

Celtic’s involvement had long-since ended, beaten by Kilmarnock in the second round.

Over the past eight seasons, the Hoops have either gone out in that exact round or won the entire competition.

Celtic vs Rangers - live

12:35 , Karl Matchett

Good afternoon - we’re a few hours out from kick-off in Scotland, with Rangers aiming to extend their record in the competition to 29 all-time successes. Celtic are a few off them, currently having lifted the trophy 21 times, including six times out of seven in a run from 2017 to 2023.

Last year Rangers halted that streak for what was their first win in the competition since 2011, improbably.

Celtic vs Rangers LIVE

Saturday 14 December 2024 15:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s Scottish League Cup final day in Glasgow, with the Old Firm foes colliding in a battle for the first silverware of the season. Can defending champions Rangers throw Celtic off course as Brendan Rodgers’s side chase a treble?

Kick off is at 3.30pm GMT.