Scottish League Cup Final 2024/25: How Celtic Beat Rangers – Tactical Analysis

One of the greatest Cup finals to have taken place in recent memory. 

Arguably, football’s greatest rivalry provided a spectacle for the footballing world in the Scottish League Cup final. 

The Old Firm faced off for the second time this season, and with a trophy on the line, tensions were even higher than their usual astronomical standards. 

Not only did Rangers and Celtic have a cup final to contest but it proved to be a moment of immense history. 

Both teams were tied in major trophies, having won 118 honours each. 

This was Celtic’s opportunity to surpass Rangers for the first time since the 1930s, abolishing the constant reminders that the Teddy Bears have often given their archrivals about their success. 

Several weeks ago, not even the most optimistic Rangers fans would have felt confident about their teams chances of winning the League Cup. 

Having been easily dispatched by Celtic in September, Rangers form had been horrific, leaving them languishing in third place. 

Celtic were incredibly consistent, having only lost one match all season, which was away to last season’s UEFA Champions League finalists, Borussia Dortmund, in this season’s edition of the same competition. 

Yet Rangers have been revitalised over the past month.

Impressive performances against Tottenham and Nice in the UEFA Europa League, along with the form of forwards Danilo and, most notably, Hamza Igamane, had given the Gers a newfound belief. 

The game didn’t disappoint.

After an intense start, Rangers took the lead just before half-time through Nedim Bajrami. 

Celtic began to dominate proceedings, with Greg Taylor and Daizen Maeda scoring two goals quickly. 

Rangers didn’t give in easily, and after regaining control of the game, Mohamed Diomande scored the vital equaliser.

The Hoops looked as if they had won it when the impressive Nicolas-Gerrit Kühn finished off a counterattack in the 87th minute. 

Danilo had other ideas, heading home a Václav Černý cross just two minutes later. 

After both teams cancelled each other out in extra time, Celtic clinched victory through a 5-4 victory on penalties. 

From two teams that have appeared to be so distant in quality this season, how did Rangers manage to put the Bhoys under such pressure? 

Celtic Vs Rangers Lineups 

Celtic lined up in their traditional 4-3-3. 

Kasper Schmeichel started in nets behind a defence of Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Greg Taylor. 

The midfield three was made up of Paulo Bernardo, captain Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate. 

Kyogo Furuhashi, the centre-forward who is often Rangers nemesis, led the line, with Kühn and Maeda on either side. 

Rangers lined up in a 4-2-3-1.

Jack Butland started between the sticks. 

The defence consisted of James Tavernier, Leon Balogun, Robin Pröpper and Jefté. 

Nicolas Raskin and Diomande were the double pivots in the midfield, with Bajrami given the number 10 role in front. 

In-form Moroccan striker Hamza Igamane, Ianis Hagi and Černỳ took their places in the front three. 

Rangers Defensive Game Plan

It was evident from the start that Rangers wouldn’t allow Celtic to quickly progress possession. 

This occurred when the Teddy Bears took up a mid-block that prevented Celtic from playing the ball into the middle of the pitch. 

Here, you can see that Rangers’ midfield four is incredibly compact, and Igamane and Bajrami are doing an excellent job screening Celtic’s deep-lying playmakers, who are vital in their build-up play. 

This is evident from the lack of forward passes that Celtic managed to play in between the lines. 

Despite often overloading the middle of the park with their three midfielders, Taylor playing as an in