Celtic 1 (Dargie 45) Rangers 1 (Kasanwirjo 33)
By Robert McElroy
A brave and courageous Rangers ‘B’ team retained the Glasgow Cup at Firhill on Tuesday evening with a penalty shoot-out victory over ‘Old Firm’ rivals Celtic following a 1-1 draw.
Most Read on FollowFollow.com The FollowFollow.com Friday Preview – Hearts at Home Dessers Departs – A look back at Cyriel In The Eye Of The Storm – Rangers 0-0 Celtic
It was a young Light Blue team that took to the field, although Neraysho Kasanwirjo was making his first appearance since November due to an extensive injury absence whilst both Paul Nsio and Findlay Curtis have featured in first-team action¸ the latter captaining the ‘B’ side.
Celtic had the bulk of the pressure in the opening stages without in truth seriously troubling ‘Gers ‘keeper Rydnn McGuire, although Daniel Cummings did come close to opening the scoring on twenty minutes when his shot was blocked on the line by Kasanwirjo.
The Light Blue defence held firm and Rangers began to gradually turn the tide, gaining more than just a foothold in the Final, and taking the lead in the 33rd minute when Kasanwirjo worked an opening on the edge of the area before slotting the ball home.
Just when it appeared that the game had been turned on its’ head, Celtic levelled the score-.line right on the half-time whistle when Rhys Dargie diverted a Jude Bonnar drive into the net.
Kasanwirjo had impressed during the first-half – and was withdrawn before the restart, to be substituted by Jack Wyllie.
Nsio and Dargie had the ball in the net in the early stages of the second-half, only for both efforts to be chalked off for offside.
Rangers suffered three injury blows during the second period, losing the services of Calum Adamson, Cameron Scott (who was stretchered off following lengthy treatment for a head injury) and Curtis – yet managed to retain parity throughout the second 45 minutes with clear-cut openings at a premium, the best chance for the Light Blues being when Chris Eadie broke clear on a long McGuire bal\l onlt to fire just over.
Injury-ravaged Rangers managed to survive even SIXTEEN MINUTES of injury time before the Final went to penalties.
Eadie, Zander Hutton, Lyle Wark, Callum Burnside and Aiden McCallion converted for the Cup Holders, with only Nsio denied by Marcus Gill, whilst McGuire saved from Cummings before Lewis Dobbie shot wide with his effort to ensure the Glasgow Cup remained at Ibrox.
Light Blue Captain Findlay Curtis – even on crutches – was presented with the old trophy before a delighted small band of ‘Gers fans.
Celtic: Gill; Bonetig (Kyle 90), Frame; Robertson, Borland, Ure; Dargie, McArdle (Dobbie, 80), Cummings, Turley (Thomson 89), Bonnar
Unused Subs: Davidson, Cannon, Daly, Obidiwe, Pickford, Shaw
Rangers: McGuire: Hutton, Scott (Wark 73); Kasanwirjo (Wyllie 46), Campbell, McCallion: Curtis (Kerr 85), Adamson (Smith 57), Eadie, Nsio, Burnside
Unused Subs: Goodbrand, Fernie, Stewart, Christie, Halliwell
Referee: Ryan Lee
