Viaplay Cup final: Rangers 1-2 Celtic - Kyogo double delivers the trophy for holders
- Published
Kyogo knocks in the opening goal at Hampden
Kyogo Furuhashi scored twice as Celtic got the better of Old Firm rivals Rangers at a tumultuous Hampden to retain the Viaplay Cup.
The striker took his season tally to 24 goals with two close-range finishes either side of the interval, repeating his brace from last term's final.
Alfredo Morelos reduced the deficit but Rangers could not find a way back against more assured opponents and Celtic missed opportunities to increase the margin of victory in a frantic finish.
This was a seventh League Cup victory in nine years for Celtic and, with a healthy nine-point lead in the Premiership and just one domestic defeat all season, manager Ange Postecoglou is well placed to at least match the double of his debut campaign.
For Michael Beale, it was a first loss in 15 games in charge of Rangers, which leaves the Ibrox club without a success in this tournament since 2011.
Amid the sound and fury from the stands, Celtic started in composed fashion as Rangers struggled to find a rhythm.
The biggest cheers from the febrile crowd were reserved for robust challenges until Kyogo almost found a way through on 20 minutes.
The Celtic hero stumbled slightly as he stole in behind and then found his path blocked by the sprawling Allan McGregor. The veteran goalkeeper got up swiftly to push away a low shot from Jota.
Fashion Sakala provided a couple of thrusts for Rangers before Cameron Carter-Vickers slid in to knock a dangerous cross from Ibrox skipper James Tavernier narrowly beyond his own post.
Kyogo fired just wide of the top corner from 18 yards, slashed at a good chance and headed over the top in a flurry of attacks before making the breakthrough on 44 minutes.
Celtic patiently worked the ball down the left and, when Daizen Maeda missed Greg Taylor's driven pass at the front post, Kyogo was all alone to stroke in a simple finish from a central position.
Rangers came within a whisker of a rapid response at the start of the second half when Ryan Kent drilled an angled shot against the base of the post and Sakala could only find the side-netting from the rebound. The angle was tight, but it was a bad miss from the winger, who had Morelos screaming for a pass.
Celtic made the most of that let-off, with Kyogo knocking in his second goal of the day soon after. Aaron Mooy and Reo Hatate combined to unlock the Rangers defence, with the latter delivering the telling cross for a sliding Kyogo to force in.
Rangers hauled themselves back into the game on 64 minutes when Morelos was alert to finish as Celtic failed to deal with a lofted free-kick from the left.
That breathed new life into the team in blue, as did a trio of midfield changes, but they could not seriously threaten Joe Hart's goal again.
The match grew increasingly stretched and tetchy, with referee Nick Walsh dishing out yellow cards left, right and centre in the closing stages.
With Rangers leaving huge gaps at the back, McGregor made a good save to deny Matt O'Riley and fellow substitute Sead Haksabanovic rolled a one-on-one chance wide, but there was to be no ruing those chances for Postecoglou's triumphant side.
Player of the match - Kyogo Furuhashi
Who else? The Celtic striker is a lethal presence in the penalty box and came up trumps for his side yet again
'Special' Kyogo delivers more silverware for Celtic - analysis
Celtic were on top for long spells, completely bossing the first half, with Callum McGregor, Mooy and Hatate providing cool heads and neat midfield interchanges.
Wingers Maeda and Jota were not quite at the same level but Kyogo, who sunk Hibernian in the final last year, more than compensated with two poacher's goals, once again proving elusive for defenders with his smart movement. "A special player," said admiring skipper McGregor in his on-pitch interview.
Celtic also did a good job of stifling Rangers' threat out wide, making sure Kent and Sakala could not grow in influence.
Beale's side had their moments, but they were too few and they were always playing catch up from a sluggish opening.
Substitutes Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell added menace in the middle of the park immediately after Morelos struck and things may have turned out differently if those recent recruits had been trusted to start.
This was a poorer display from the 2-2 derby draw early January and that will trouble the Ibrox boss as he seeks to bridge the gap.
What they said
'No limits' on how good Celtic can be - Ange Postecoglou
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: "Moments like this, you want to get the whole experience. You watch the players, the fans, what it means to them. I take great pride in it.
"It's a day I'll remember forever. We've been consistent for a very long time. We don't let our standards slip in terms of our football."
Rangers manager Michael Beale: "I think that was clear to see. It took us too long to find our rhythm in our football and get up to the speed in the game.
"Fair play to Celtic, I thought they started the game well and I thought we were going to get away with getting into half-time without conceding, but we didn't and that was disappointing."
Rangers should 'not get carried away' by cup final loss to Celtic - Michael Beale