Celtic won the Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers 10-a-side at Hampden Park, with Callum McGregor and substitute Callum Osmund scoring in extra time.
Sean Maloney replaced Brendan Rodgers as manager last Monday, with former Hoops manager Martin O’Neill returning to the dugout as caretaker manager.Celtic took the lead through Jonny Kenny after 25 minutes, but then Gers midfielder Cerro Asgaard was shown a straight red card by referee Nick Walsh for a reckless challenge on Anthony Ralston.
The Ibrox side, who were in charge of new head coach Danny Rolle’s first game against the Old Firm, fought back in the second half and captain James Tavernier equalized in the 81st minute to take the game into extra time.
However, McGregor scored three minutes after the restart, and 15 minutes later teenager Osmund scored his first goal for Celtic, securing a 3-1 victory and a match against St Mirren in the final at the National Stadium on 14 December.
An exhausting afternoon started with Celtic quickly improving. The Gers goalkeeper was as perplexed as anyone when Japanese striker Daizen Maeda broke free and fired a shot directly at Jack Butland, but seconds later his attempted clearance from Ibrox defender Nasser Dziga hit midfielder Nicholas Raskin and into the Rangers net, only for VAR to confirm Maeda was offside in the build-up.
Moments later, Gers striker Youssef Cermiti missed his goal six yards out after Mohamed Diomande’s shot.
But Celtic took the lead when Kenny jumped highest in the box to head Arne Engels’ corner with little challenge from the four blue jerseys around him.
Kenny’s powerful drive was saved by Butland, and Hoops keeper Kasper Schmeichel blocked a drive from Ruskin following a Gers counter with his legs, but Chelmiti was unable to connect with Tavernier’s free-kick just two yards from goal.
The Rangers’ mission becomes even more difficult when the previously unknown Asgard is sent packing in preparation for an unnecessary charge on Ralston.
There were loud and angry Gers cries for a red card when Celtic defender Auston Trusty left a spike in Butland’s face after the keeper collected the ball, but Walsh only issued a yellow.
VAR remarks on Trustee’s yellow card in Celtic vs Rangers
Speaking to Premier Sports about the incident at half-time, it was confirmed that VAR said Trustee’s challenge was ‘reckless’ but still merited a yellow card.