Glasgow Cup Tuesday, April 29, 2025Firhill Stadium CELTIC…1 (Dargie 45+1) RANGERS…1 (Kasanwirjo 33) Rangers win 5-4 on penalties Celtic FC B suffered a narrow defeat to the hands of Rangers in the Glasgow Cup final, losing out on penalties at Firhill. Despite going behind, the Bhoys fired themselves level just before the half time whistle through Rhys Dargie and arguably enjoyed the better of the game. But, with the score all square after 90 minutes, it was Rangers who came out on top in the shootout. The young Hoops started the match the stronger of the two sides, looking to impose themselves on the game. Keeping plenty of the early possession, the Celts were also doing well to press the Ibrox side deep in their own half. The first opening of the match almost fell the way of Celtic, with Jude Bonnar having the opportunity to get the first shot of the match off. Cutting inside of his mark, Rhys Dargie sent a teasing cross into the box for the midfielder who looked to side foot the ball home. He just couldn’t connect though. Not long after, Jude Bonnar was looking to turn provider as Sean McArdle sent a wonderful pass into the left channel. Picking up his head and delivering a cross into the box, he just couldn’t find a team-mate in the area. The Hoops’ first real effort on goal came the way of Daniel Cummings just 20 minutes into the game as he showed really insistent play to retain possession. Fighting off his marker, before taking beyond the goalkeeper, he eventually found space for a shot, which was blocked off the line by the Rangers defender. Despite enjoying the better of the opening stages, it was Rangers who would open the scoring just beyond the half hour mark. Pouncing on a mistake at the back, Rangers summer signing and current Feyenoord loanee, Neraysho Kasanwirjo, was on hand to strike from close range and hand the Ibrox side the opener. The Celts quickly looked to respond to that set back as the second half drew to a close with Jude Bonnar sending another testing low cross into the box. His delivery was cleared away for a corner From the resulting corner, Hayden Borland headed an effort on goal, but it was comfortably taken by the goalkeeper. With the half-time break approaching, it appeared that the Celts would find themselves going in behind. However, with one of the final actions of the half, Stephen McManus’ side were able to level up the scoring through Rhys Dargie. Breaking free down the left-hand side, Jude Bonnar fired the ball across the box. At first, it appeared as though it was going to be cleared by the Ibrox side. But Rhys Dargie produced a superb first-time finish, adjusting his feet just in time to turn the ball home into the back of the net, and make the scoring 1-1 heading into the half. Heading into the second half, the Bhoys would have been aiming on a positive end to the opening 45 minutes. And it was almost a repeat of his first half effort from Dargie, with the Hoops having the ball in the back of the net just beyond the 50th minute mark. In similar fashion, the winger found the net, this time, diverting Daniel Cummings’ effort goal bound. However, on this occasion, the flag was up for offside, seeing the score remain level. Injury to a Rangers played saw a large period of stoppage time during the second half. However, as the game entered the closing stages it was Celtic who were putting on the pressure. Having set up Celtic’s first goal of the game, Jude Bonnar looked to find the net as a good move allowed the midfielder to break free down the left. As the ball sat up nicely, who attempted to fire goalwards. But couldn’t strike the target with his shot. Francis Turley was next to try his luck with a strike towards goal after a patient move seen the ball fall to the midfielder on the left. But it was blocked off once more. The Celts did have to remain focused at the back, particularly after losing a sloppy goal in the first half. A last-ditch Mitchell Robertson tackle denied the Ibrox side a huge opportunity as he slid across to block before the strike on goal. With 16 minutes of additional time added at the end of the match, it was Celtic who were pushing for what could prove to be the all-important winning goal. Remaining patient and looking to fashion an opening, McManus made changes to the side introducing Lewis Dobbie, Corey Thomson and Emmanuel Obidiwe into the match. All three looked bright, driving towards the Rangers bench, and Thomson had an effort with just two minutes of those additional time left to play. But it was comfortably held by the goalkeeper. With nothing to separate the sides, the game ultimately headed to penalties to decide the winner of the 2024/24 Glasgow Cup. After Daniel Cummings seen his first spot-kick saved, the Celts did well to recover scoring four in a row, whilst Marcus Gill produced a strong stop to deny Paul Nsio. As the shoot-out headed to sudden death though, it was ultimately the Celts who lost out on a cruel evening as Lewis Dobbie fired the sixth spot-kick wide of the target. CELTIC: Gill, Bonetig (Kyle 90+9), Frame, Robertson, Borland, Ure, Dargie (Obidiwe 90+5), McArdle (Dobbie 80), Cummings, Turley (Thomson 90+5), Bonnar Subs: Shaw, Davidson, Cannon, Daly, PickfordFixturesCeltic B Vs. Rangers B – Tue, Apr 29th 2025, 19:00
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