Celtic 3 Rangers 1 RECAP as Hoops whoop it up and Gers left gutted

Halliday's x-rated reaction to Trusty's let off

Andy Halliday was certain Auston Trusty was about to see red at Hampden for kicking Jack Butland in the head.

But the Motherwell star was left dumbfounded when the Celtic defender was only booked, describing Nick Walsh and VAR's decision as "f***** laughable."

The Ibrox club are set to demand answers from SFA refs chief Willie Collum after they felt Trusty had endangered Butland's safety and should have been given his marching orders.

Rangers fan Halliday was taking part in Premier Sports Cup semi-final watch-along with fellow Open Goal host and former Celtic youth star Paul Slane.

Rohl demands the questions end

Danny Rohl inherited a group of Rangers players who have constantly been queried on character and mentality.

But the German says those questions should STOP after Sunday's defeat to Celtic at Hampden.

In his first Old Firm derby, Rohl suffered a heartbreaking loss in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final.

With 10 men after Thelo Aasgaard’s red card, Rangers defied the odds to take Celtic to extra-time, thanks to James Tavernier’s late penalty equaliser.

In the end, his side ran out of gas.

Their legs had gone by the time Callum McGregor and Callum Osmand put the tie to bed and sent Martin O’Neill’s men to the final.

At full-time, Rohl was dejected at the result - but not by the performance.

He hailed his team’s courage in the face of adversity and claimed they looked favourites to win it at 1-1, despite being a man down.

Rangers fans will point to the ropey display of ref Nick Walsh as to why they lost.

But Rohl was determined to concentrate on the positives.

BREAKING! Rangers demand SFA answers

Rangers will reach out to SFA refs chief Willie Collum to demand an explanation on why Auston Trusty was not set-off at Hampden.

Furious Ibrox bosses believe the Celtic defender should have been dismissed during their Premier Sports Cup semi-final defeat after kicking Gers No1 Jack Butland in the head.

Danny Rohl’s Light Blues were already a goal and a man down themselves having had seen Thelo Aasgaard receive a straight red after planting his studs into Tony Ralston’s thigh when the first-half flashpoint occurred.

Butland had raced off to gather a loose ball just seconds before the break when Trusty’s stray boot made contact with the keeper’s head.

But referee Nick Walsh decided there was not enough force to merit a sending off and booked the defender instead.

The decision has infuriated Ibrox chiefs and Record Sport understands the club will now take the matter up with head of refereeing Collum and insist the incident endangered Butland’s safety, and therefore should have resulted in a dismissal.

New Celtic dugout dynamic in full view

Martin O'Neill may be Celtic's Mr Motivator, but what Shaun Maloney brings to the table was clear to see for interested onlookers at Hampden.

O'Neill famously disappears during the week for a couple of days as the veteran boss prefers to make his biggest impact on matchdays.

Pros who have played under the Northern Irishman have often talked about how he wouldn't really get involved with tactical work through the week, but would appear in the dressing room on a Saturday and have them walking down the tunnel feeling ten feet taller.

O'Neill is old school, but will admit himself there's a need to move with the times now he's back in the Celtic dugout 25 years after first sitting in the hotseat.

Man management is never going to be enough on it's own these days, and that's why Maloney is is right hand man.

His own attempts at management haven't gone well with Hibs and Wigan.

But there's a reason why Roberto Martinez added him to his Belgium coaching staff.

Tavernier vents Rangers rage

Seething Rangers skipper James Tavernier admits he was stunned when referee Nick Walsh failed to balance up the red card count at Hampden.

The Ibrox side found themselves a goal and a man down at half-time when Johnny Kenny’s opener was followed up by Thelo Aasgaard’s straight sending off just moments before the break.

The Norwegian ace could have little complaints about his dismissal after planting his studs into Tony Ralston’s thigh.

But Tavernier felt Hoops defender Auston Trusty should have followed Aasgaard down the tunnel when his stray boot made contact with keeper Jack Butland’s head just as Walsh was preparing to blow for the change of ends.

The official decided the kick didn’t involve the force needed for a red.

But that didn’t wash with Tavernier, who also blasted the decision to let Daizen Maeda off with another high boot on Mohamed Diomande.

O'Nell lets Celtic future bid slip

Martin O’Neill admits he’d love to lead Celtic out in the Premier Sports Cup Final against St Mirren next month.

And the stand-in boss let it slip he’d also be open for talks with Dermot Desmond over his long term future with the Hoops.

O’Neill’s name echoed around the National Stadium as Celts saw off spirited Rangers to seal a return against Saints on December 14.

The 73-year-old isn’t banking on being around as Parkhead chiefs search for a permanent appointment.

Pundits on 'stupid' Trusty and reckless Rangers sinner

A sending off that was and a sending off that wasn't were the two issues dominating the pundit chat during and after the Premier Sports Cup semi-final.

Rangers were already a goal down when Thelo Aasgaard caught Anthony Ralston with his studs in the last area you want to take a sore one.

They shouldn't have been behind, though, after Youssef Chermiti missed a sitter prior to Johnny Kenny's glancing header that gave Celtic the lead, but they found themselves a man down too after Nick Walsh flashed a straight red in the Norwegian's direction. Ralston gingerly picked himself sporting a rip in his shorts and a couple of bleeding stud marks high on his thigh.

It's not a decision Rangers could complain about but Walsh and VAR's call not to send Auston Trusty up the tunnel after him was worthy of debate.

Jack Butland came out to claim a low ball in the box and was getting it all day long. Trusty hung a foot out and caught the keeper in the head before immediately waving his arms about in apology/panic.

Walsh decided it was a booking, while VAR backed him up, claiming there wasn't sufficient force to warrant an ordering off.

That was the first half controversies.

As for the second, Rangers looked better with ten men and while they deserved their equaliser, the penalty it came from wasn't exactly a stick on.

Djeidi Gassama drove into the box and feigned a first shot before shooting. It was blocked en route by the falling Ralston's elbow, and Walsh pointed to the spot.

As the boys in Light Blue demanded a second yellow for the full back, VAR had a look and backed the man in black, which was James Tavernier's cue to step up and level things up and force extra time.

Celtic made their extra man count for half an hour as Callum McGregor's rocket and Callum Osmand's sliding finish put the game beyond Danny Rohl's team.

But the Premier Sports pundits were unanimous over whether they should have had that advantage.

Rohl insists Rangers players can't be questioned

Rangers boss Danny Rohl insists there can be no questions opver his teams character and commitment depsite losing to Celtic at Hampden.

Gers played most of the game with ten men after Theo Aasgaard's first half red card, but forced the game toe xtra-time before eventually losing 3-1.

And when it was put to the German about his players' character being doubted before he took over, he was adamant that it couldn't be dounted today.

100 per cent, there can be no question marks about that," he told Premier Sport. "I see a team with real willingness and great spirit who put everything on the line.

Since the last away game in Brann Bergen, there has been a massive step forward. There's no question marks over my players, they've given me everything I demand from them.

It's good to see. These are the basics that we have to do. I'm convinced that if we go in this direction again and again, we will return good results.

The big VAR calls

Offside Celtic goal

The first major call of the semi-final was when Maeda was shown to be millimetres offside prior to the ball landing in the Rangers net. The Japanese had a foot the wrong side of the VAR line when Nygren nudged McGregor’s quick free-kick into the Swede. However, the pictures and the lines showed that, after a delay to study the images, the footage made the call and our resident ref had a clear opinion.

ROACHE VERDICT: “Extremely tight. First view with the naked eye was unclear, but we have to trust the technology and they called it correct.”

Aasgaard red card

Aasgaard saw red for a high challenge on Ralston. The Norwegian international flicked the ball into the air and was late to reach it as the Celtic full-back got there first. The result was a rake of the studs down the upper thigh of the Parkhead ace and a painful one. It was an instant call from Walsh and that has been viewed as 100 per cent the correct shout

ROACHE VERDICT: “Red Card correct. Completely unintentional by the player, but that was Serious Foul Play. No complaints with it”

Trusty escapes sending off

The Rangers players were furious after Trusty flicked out a foot as Butland gathered the ball at his feet. The American was taking a chance and incensed the Ibrox stars. Walsh opted for a yellow card and VAR backed him up.

ROACHE VERDICT: “Fortunate for Trusty. Needless to challenge for that. Caution was correct. It was reckless and dangerous. No speed, force, brutality or intent which is the criteria for Serious Foul Play. Very silly and needless. On another day and with another ref, it could have been a red. I’d not have any disagreement with a red card.”

Rangers penalty

Walsh pointed to the spot after the ball struck the elbow of Ralston as he fell in an attempt to block a Gassama shot. VAR backed up the on-field call from the referee with the spot-kick sunk by Tavernier to take the match into extra-time. There was also no second yellow card flashed to the Celtic defender.

ROACHE VERDICT: “Ralston was unfortunate at the penalty. I always feel that a penalty should only be awarded if the handball is deliberate, even if an arm is out. My feeling is that he was doing everything he could to avoid it. He wasn’t trying to make himself bigger and could have hurt himself. Nonetheless, I can understand the award of the penalty. In terms of a second yellow card and many people clamouring for one to be flashed, I feel that would have been unjust for the reasons explained.”

O'Neill expects appointment before final

Martin O’Neill basked in the glory of leading Celtic to the Premier Sports Cup final - but doesn’t expect to lead the Hoops out at Hampden in the final.

The Irishman reckons the Parkhead club will progress in their next manager hunt during the international break, which comes after next weekend’s Premiership clash against Kilmarnock.

Celtic face St Mirren at Hampden on December 14 and O’Neill, speaking to Premier Sports after the game said: "I don’t even know when the final is. I would imagine the club are making inroads to a permanent manager.”

On an enthralling afternoon at Hampden, he said: “I was 73 on Monday, I'm 94 now!”

Celtic hero Callum Osmand describes the best day of his life

Oh, there’s actually no words. It’s one of those moments that it doesn’t happen. Like the way it’s happened for me, that I’m just so grateful for everyone that’s at the club really and all the supporters. So it’s hard to put into words, but it’s, yeah, it’s an amazing feeling. There’s nothing better.

Yeah, you get those points, but I think that’s the bit that builds you as a person and a player. Like those moments where I’m not in squads and I’m running in the rain, up and down the pitch on my own with a couple of other boys, it’s painful, but I feel like they’re the bits that create you as a player and then obviously prepared me for these moments and I just have to take it. So really happy.

From the day one, he [Martin O'Neill] just spoke to me. He said he thinks very highly of me. Staff think highly of me and that just gives you the boost you need really. So, yeah, under both managers, they were both pushing me, but Martin’s just giving me, that confidence when he’s come in and giving me the trust really.

“That’s all you need from a manager. It only takes one person to believe in you and push you on. But yeah, hopefully this is just the start for me, but obviously I’ve got to keep building and pushing on. It feels amazing. Like I said, there’s no words to describe today. It’s going to be the craziest day of my life ever. There’s nothing that can really top this one unless scoring in the final. But, no, this is the best day of my life.”

5 talking points from Hampden

O’Neill impact

Martin O’Neill is adamant he’s here for the short term – but he might not get much choice now.

The caretaker’s hero status is already secure, yet here was another level to the legend standing.
O'Neill proved his return was no nostalgic gesture.

His gameplan worked a treat. Celtic were direct at times, going long, but then mixing it up by working it wide and poking holes in the Gers back five.

Rangers couldn’t cope with the relentless intensity.

Celts should have had it wrapped up long before they did but there might be another big decision to come – will O’Neill be in charge for the Final and beyond?

Rohl with it

On the other side, Danny Rohl had his doubters when he came in – but not any more.

It wasn’t plain sailing for the Gers boss. It was understandable sticking with his 3-5-2 line up after recent weeks but it got picked apart in the first half.

Going down to 10 was a major test but if anything Rohl’s side were actually BETTER a man down. The shape was solid and they carried a threat.

They had to hang on at times but they staying in the game and got the rewards in normal time.

Rohl really had to show his mettle up against a vasty experienced O’Neill and a squad that has shown it can be flaky at times, even within games.

It was a seriously impressive show from the young manager and while he might have fell short, Rangers fans should be more optimistic about the future.

Strike it lucky

Frontmen have been big talking points all season for both clubs – and yet again here.

Celtic’s lack of options has been clear but a couple of unlikely men have stepped up to the plate.

Johnny Kenny was superb for starters with the Irish lad causing havoc along the Gers backline, including his glancing opener.

And what about Callum Osmand? The kid was almost a forgotten signing but now could be a huge part of the immediate future. The former Fulham kid was a livewire off the bench and sealed it with a deadly third.

In contrast, Youssef Chermiti missed a couple of gilt eyed chances in the first half and struggled with his task of stopping Callum McGregor.

Nervy Nasser sets the tone

Rangers showed heart but they were defensibly dodgy – and it stemmed from Nasser Djiga.

He took a fresh air swipe in the first couple of minutes to let Celtic in and never seemed to recover.

The ruled out own goal was another bungling moment at the back and he never looked comfortable with or without the ball.

Djiga’s struggles seemed to spread uncertainty right through the side and it’s a problem area for Rohl.

Captain fantastic

There have been wild claims this season Callum McGregor is over the hill. King of the hill more like.

McGregor might have struggled at times this season with Celts stuttering but the skipper was back to his inspirational best for his side here.

He was gutted at the departure of Brendan Rodgers as the pair were joined at the hip.

But there is a reason the midfielder is such an influential leader in this Celtic squad and one of the club’s all time great captains.

The goal was superb but McGregor’s all round display was even better.

Celtic ratings

KASPER SCHMEICHEL - Brilliant first-half save to deny Raskin. Dived right way for penalty but not close. Thwarted Gassama with his foot in ET. Redeemed himself after May Treble clanger. 8

ANTHONY RALSTON - Involved in two major flashpoints. Caught in hum haws which led to Aasgaard’s red cad. Gave away penalty for blocking Gassama’s shot with his arm. 6

AUSTON TRUSTY - Crucial clearance after Schmeichel denied Raskin. Booked for stupidly leaving one on Butland. Lucky it wasn’t harsher punishment. Vital block from Diomande’s effort. 7

LIAM SCALES - Guilty of some slack passing and lost track of Danilo and Chermiti a few times in first-half. Redeemed himself with a heroic last-man tackle to halt Gassama. 7

MARCELO SARACCHI - Given nod ahead of KT. Solid defensively and in attack. Pint-sized left-back is quietly becoming a fans’ favourite. Committed display from Uruguayan. 7 (Tierney, 77)

CALLUM McGREGOR - Skipper was back to his best. Pulled the strings then rifled a stunning 20-yard strike to make it 2-1. Booked for professional tackle on Raskin. 9

ARNE ENGELS - Exquisite delivery picked out Kenny for the opener. Sent a curling effort just wide of post. Showed some muscle in midfield. Booked for late challenge on Gassama. 7

BEN NYGREN - Constantly drifted into pockets of space. Broke into Gers’ six yard box but fizzed effort just wide. First of three big chances. Too wasteful. 7 (Hatate, 71)

SEB TOUNEKTI - Let loose against Tavernier. Blazed early effort over the bar. Constant threat but for all his silky footwork, his final ball often lets him down. 7 (Forrest, 66)

DAIZEN MAEDA - Duracell Bunny never gave Cornelius a moment’s peace. Missed a one vs one before straying offside for comical VAR no-goal. Booked for high boot on Diomande. 7 (Balikwisha, 20 AET)

JOHNNY KENNY

Outstanding. Irishman announced himself as a Celtic player with a bullet header past Butland. A real focal point for the team. Bullied Gers' defence but tired. 8 (Osmand, 71)

Subs:

KIERAN TIERNEY - Replaced Saracchi who pulled up with cramp. Fizzed sensational low cross for Osmand’s tap-in and Celtic's third in extra-time. 7

MICHEL-ANGE BALIKWISHA - Handed 10-minute cameo after Osmand’s third in extra-time. 2

REO HATATE - Playmaker skied an effort well over in final 90 to the frustration of Celtic fans. Clattered by Souttar in the box but no penalty. Put a shift in. 5

JAMES FORREST - On for Tounekti for final 25. Smashed the bar with a thunderbolt. Pierced Gers defence with stunning through ball for Osmand. 6

CALLUM OSMAND - Out the picture under Brendan Rodgers. Now an Old Firm goal hero. Fluffed a sitter but made up for it by scoring third in unforgettable moment for teen. 7

Unused subs: Sinisalo, Murray, Yang, McCowan.

Rangers ratings

Rangers Ratings

Jack Butland 7: Pulled off cracking saves to deny Kenny, Nygren and Osmand. Wasn’t happy with kick in head from Trusty - or his attempt to keep out McGregor’s strike for 2-1.

Nasser Djiga 5: Big on-loan Wolves man was a bomb scare in the first half. Sleepwalking from the off and couldn’t get out of first gear. Improved slightly after the break as Gers got better.

John Souttar 6: Likes to dictate and build Rangers’ attacks from middle of back three but couldn’t get the chance with Celtic penning them in at the start. Better second 45.

Derek Cornelius 6: The Canadian lacked urgency and conviction in early part of game. Had defended his box better in second half but let Osmand run off him for extra-time winner.

James Tavernier 7: Initially got pinned back by Celtic but gradually inspired and influenced his side by popping up in different positions then tucking away vital penalty for 1-1.

Nico Raskin 7: Thought he’d scored an OG but ruled out by VAR. Had golden chance to score in but Schmeichel saved poor effort then stepped up a gear in second half.

Mohamed Diomande 7: Produced a brilliant pass through eye of a needle for Chermiti chance and came into his own when Rangers went down to 10 with his energy and running power.

Jayden Meghoma 5: Allowed Maeda in behind him early on and that set the tone for powder-puff display. Out-muscled by Kenny at corner for Celtic’s opening goal.

Thelo Aasgaard 3: Tidy on the ball early on but was playing on the game’s periphery before picking up straight red card for high tackle on Ralston before the break.

Danilo 5: Slid through a brilliant pass for Raskin’s big chance and was doing OK just off striker before being hooked at half-time as Rohl reacted to being a man down.

Youssef Chermiti 5

The £8 million man was asked to drop in and do a job on McGregor as well as get goals but did neither. Missed two gilt-edged chances in first half you’d expect him to bury.

SUBS:

Djeidi Gassama 3: Replaced Danilo at half-time and should have done better with two chances when clean through on keeper. His shot led to Gers’ penalty incident.

Mikey Moore 5: Came on for Diomande as Gers tried to find leveller and supplied great ball over the top for Gassama chance. Provided such needed ball-carrying for Rohl’s side.

Bojan Miovski 2: Natural replacement for Chermiti with 20 minutes to go up front but didn’t do enough to cause tired Celtic centre-backs a problem.

Max Aarons 3: On for Meghoma at injury time in the 90 to slot in at left-back and didn’t do a lot wrong out of position.

Oliver Antman 2: Thrown on for a knackered Raskin at the start of extra-time which meant Tavernier switching to central midfield.

Joe Rothwell 2: Replaced Djiga in extra-time at 2-1 down but couldn’t get up to the pace of the game and was caught a couple of times.

NOT USED: Kelly, Fernandez, Curtis.

Full time - Celtic 3 Rangers 1 (AET)

What an afternoon that was - breathless.

And after 120 minutes, it's Celtic who progress to the Premier Sports Cup final where they will meet St Mirren.

It was a triumphant return to Hampden for Martin O'Neill.

McGregor fuming

Callum McGregor is quite rightly giving Djeidi Gassama an earful.

Celtic kicked the ball out after Auston Trusty went down with cramp.

Rather than pass the ball back, Gassama darted into the Celtic penalty area in a desperate attempt for a lifeline.

But McGregor managed to intersect his cross and clear - before telling Gassama exactly what he thought.

Poor sportsmanship, to be fair.

Gassama accused of bad sportsmanship

Djeidi Gassama causes controversy.

Celtic had put the ball out of play with Auston Trusty down injured.

But the Frenchman kept the ball and raced in on goal.

Celtic weren't happy.

Rangers pay the price

Celtic will look to their bargain basement fringemen as the heroes of the day.

But once more Rangers fans will turn a furious eye at Kevin Thelwell's expensive flops and ask why is the sporting director being allowed to oversee January's transfer window.

Kenny and Osmand have cost the equivalent of pocket change in today's footballing currency.

Yet both stood up and produced in a way £8million Chermiti looks incapable of doing for Gers.

Russell Martin paid the price for this summer's disastrous rebuild. If Rohl wants to avoid a similar fate he should insist upon leading the search for fresh faces.

Balikwisha on

Michel Angel Balikwisha is on for Daizen Maeda.

Goal Celtic - 3-1

Callum Osmand grabs his first goal for the Hoops and surely secures victory for Martin O’Neill’s men at Hampden #CelticFC | #RangersFC | #SPFL

pic.twitter.com/dzAwYbMN8V

— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) November 2, 2025

And that looks like that as Celtic grab a third.

Kieran Tierney does well down the left with a cross cum shot and Callum Osmand gets on the end of it.

What a moment for the teenager.

Maloney takes control

Interestingly, it's Shaun Maloney who is giving out instructions to the Celtic players during the break.

Half time extra time

And it's half time in extra time.

Celtic are 15 minutes from the Premier Sports Cup final.

Souttar booked

John Souttar picks up a booking as he takes Callum Osmand out to prevent the former Fulham man racing away.

Redemption Story

After costing Celtic the Treble here in May, Kasper Schmeichel hasn't half redeemed himself today.

The Great Dane has been phenomenal between the sticks for the Hoops, brilliantly denying Raskin and Gassama and dominating the penalty area.

He even guessed the right way for the penalty, but couldn't get near it.

This has been a colossal showing from the veteran shotstopper.

Rothwell on for Djiga

Nasser Djiga makes way for Joe Rothwell.

Schmeichel saves again

Kasper Schmeichel again comes up big as he saves at the feet of Bojan Miovski.

Big save Schmeichel

This time it's Kasper Schmeichel who produces a huge save.

Mikey Moore threads the ball through to Djeidi Gassama who beats Auston Trusty for pace but Schmeichel saves.

Jack's been had

Butland's just pulled off a superb finger-tip save from Osmand having mader a couple of other big stops - but he won't want to see McGregor's goal back any time soon.

Yes it was hit with power and fizz and it certainly moved a fraction in the air.

But the former England stopper should have been getting hands to that one.

Gers need to find another spark if they're to salvage this one but right now they look like a team that has spent the last hour playing with a man less than their opponents.

Captain Marvel

He's there - and he's always there.

Just when Celtic needed their captain, he stepped up.

And what a strike.

Yes, Jack Butland should probably do better.

But McGregor rifled that ball high into the net - and sent the fans in the east end of the stadium wild.

And to think some punters questioned whether he was past his best...

Butland saves again

Jack Butland should maybe have done better with Callum McGregor's goal.

But the Englishman has been heroic between the sticks and pulls off another big save to deny Callum Osmand.