Monday, December 23, 2024

Celtic v Rangers: Watch Old Firm Scottish Cup final at Hampden

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This was a different derby to the previous four this season, but the outcome was no different.

Despite being short of their best, particularly in the second half, Celtic simply found a way when under pressure.

It’s what they did to win the league. They finished a shaky campaign – by their own very high standards – strongly when they needed to, while Rangers toiled in sight of the line.

The usual match-winners such as Matt O’Riley, Callum McGregor, and Kyogo Furuhashi, were quiter at Hampden, but instead Bernardo and Idah grabbed their chance with the clock hitting 90 minutes.

You can be sure Rodgers – who remains unbeaten in the Scottish Cup and adds a third title – will be asking for funds to strengthen and to improve next season, especially in Europe.

But a league and cup double is a fantastic achievement amid some turbulent moments.

For Rangers, it was the same old story in one sense. They lost a derby match for the fourth time this season.

But in another, this was a much better performance. They had far more grit and steel in the middle of the pitch, helped by Mohamed Diomande producing a brilliant performance.

That helped shut Celtic down, but they never managed to put their rivals under enough pressure up the other end.

Clement has done some good work with this side, but it’s back to the drawing board for him and the club in the summer as they look to stem the dominance from the other side of the city.

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