Celtic were pushed to the absolute limit before extending their domestic dominance in a thrilling Scottish League Cup final derby against Rangers that was ultimately decided on penalties.

After six successful spot-kicks in the shootout, Rangers defender Ridvan Yilmaz's low effort was saved by Kasper Schmeichel and, although goalkeeper Jack Butland netted the holders' next kick, Daizen Maeda converted to seal the trophy for Celtic.

The triumph – following an epic 3-3 draw after extra time - extends manager Brendan Rodgers' record of never having lost at Hampden and leaves Ibrox counterpart Philippe Clement still searching for his first derby victory.

It also moves Celtic ahead of the silverware haul of their old rivals for the first time since the 1930s.

All that only tells a small part of the story in what was an incredible cup final. Celtic got there, as they normally do, but this could have gone either way.

This was a similar Rangers that squared up to Tottenham Hotspur in midweek. It needed to be and their reward was an invaluable half-time lead.

That came from Greg Taylor's error, something Rangers forced as they harried and harrassed Celtic all over the park.

Nedim Bajrami gathered and fed Hamza Igamane. His shot was parried by Kasper Schmeichel and Bajrami touched in the loose ball not long before half-time.

At that stage, Rangers looked to have got this one absolutely right. Celtic had all the questions to answer.

What followed was bedlam. Two fighters, slugging it out until one could no longer continue.

Taylor was redeemed shortly after the break as his shot from the edge of the area deflected off Nicolas Raskin and past Butland.

That sparked something of a Celtic swarm. They smelled blood and, when Raskin casually nodded back toward Balogun, Maeda was ruthless to fire Celtic ahead.

The Ibrox side looked rocked. But, Celtic took a step back, Rangers took another forward and Mohamed Diomande turned and netted to level.

From there, it went back and forth with sheer will looking more decisive than any genuine quality.

It seemed Celtic's name would adorn this trophy, though, when Nicolas Kuhn linked with Arne Engels and found space to fire in what seemed destined to be the winner.

But inside a minute, Rangers found another incredible equaliser.

It was Danilo, so frustrated by injury for so long, who leapt to meet Vaclav Cerny's cross and gleefully haul his side back on terms.

Rangers' energy-sapping display against Spurs on Thursday came to mind during extra time, with Celtic having been afforded more rest after a Tuesday outing.

That told as Celtic finished the stronger, pinning Rangers back in their own half, but neither side could strike a decisive blow even though the Ibrox side claimed for a penalty when Liam Scales tugged back Vaclav Cerny.

But that moment came and went. As did the shootout.

Penalties require nerve, heroes and villains. Schmeichel was the hero. Yilmaz the unfortunate villain and Celtic were once more triumphant.

Winning is a habit and Celtic maintained that by the thinnest of margins.

Rodgers' side came into this utterly dominant domestically and, for many in their support, there would be only one outcome here.

The idea this would be a formality quickly evaporated, though. More so after they fell behind.

It became a slug-fest in which will to win may have been the most important characteristic. Celtic have that, to go with their ability.

Big players win big matches and Celtic have an abundance of them, too. Maeda has tormented Rangers in the past but his influence was muted until his big moment.

Kuhn seized on his as well and must have thought he'd delivered the ultimate landmark moment in a season littered with them. Not today.

Celtic were pushed and pushed and pushed. They were never allowed to settle into their rhythm. Too often they were hurried into errors and that cost them the opener.

Fortune favoured them with Taylor's deflected leveller but champions take charge and that is what Celtic did when Rangers were rocked.

They found a way and that is all that matters. Far, far from their best, but they got the job done to inflict more anguish on their old foes.

Clement and his players needed to turn up and signal this would be no formality.

They did exactly that and much, much more. Anyone wondering if Rangers are progressing have more than enough evidence on this viewing.

In an incredible final, they showed tactical nous, discipline, determination, and crucially, no inferiority complex whatsoever.

With so much at stake, Rangers could not shirk this challenge. They stood up.

They played with a freedom and purpose, for the most part, and showed incredible mentality to twice come from behind after leading at half-time.

They more than matched Celtic, something they have struggled to do. But this will hurt and adds more pain for these supporters and players.

They can take enormous positives but, given their league position, to be so close and let this chance slip will undoubtedly be damaging.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "I thought Rangers played well in the first half and we had to show heart to come back.

"I think when you're really successful it's within your culture. You've got to keep fighting and working everyday. The guys on the penalties were fantastic and we pulled through in the end.

"We deserved to win the trophy but you have to go and earn it."

Rangers manager Philippe Clement: "Football can be amazingly great and fun, but it can also be cruel, and this was a really cruel one.

"I think my team deserved more today. They created more than the opponent, they came back in a good way and then losing with penalties - it's a casino game.

"You want to win the trophy but we'd need to do a lot of things extra to get it on our side if you don't get a penalty like that."