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Christopher Jullien scores before Fraser Forster saves Alfredo Morelos penalty as 10-man Hoops triumph in Scottish League Cup final to lift 10th domestic trophy in a row
Fraser Forster was the man of the moment for 10-man Celtic as he put in a colossal performance in goal to keep Rangers at bay as the Hoops won the Scottish League Cup final, but there was controversy surrounding the winning goal.
Celtic have now won 10 domestic trophies after an inspired performance from Fraser Forster led Neil Lennon’s side to victory against Rangers in the Scottish League Cup final. Steven Gerrard’s side were in full control for most of the match, with Alfredo Morelos creating a number of clear-cut chances only to be continually denied by Forster.
But despite Ranger’s constant pressure, it was Celtic who broke the deadlock with Christopher Jullien tapping in from a Ryan Christie free-kick.
Replays however appeared to indicate the defender was decidedly offside but, with no VAR to check, the goal stood.
Rangers could and probably should have equalised just minutes later though after Morelos once again found himself with space in the box, only to be brought down by Jeremie Frimpong with the Celtic full-back being sent off.
Morelos, who had failed to score in 10 previous Old Firm derbies, stepped up to take the spot-kick but his tame effort was denied by the brick wall of Forster once again.
Rangers continued to pile on the pressure against the 10-men of Celtic, but they were unable to find a way through against the rigid backline of Lennon’s side as the Hoops went on to win their fourth consecutive Scottish League Cup final.
On the 19th anniversary of the day Neil Lennon joined Celtic he celebrated the feat with a slice of history.
Until this Betfred Cup win over Rangers maintained the Parkhead side's relentless grip on the Scottish game the late Billy McNeill was the only man to win all three domestic Scottish honours as a player and manager with one club.
David Hay swept the board, but won the League Cup with Livingston. Alex McLeish did it as well - but with Aberdeen and Rangers.
Make no mistake, Lennon's first League Cup as a manager was a seat of the pants affair; a victory secured by a combination of goalkeeping heroism and good fortune. In monsoon conditions the ten scored with their only shot on target from Christopher Jullien in the 60th minute, television pictures suggesting the Frenchman was marginally offside. Before kick-off it was said that if Celtic turned up they'd win. The truth is that they didn't turn up. And they still won.
It's hard to see how Rangers - and Alfredo Morelos - recover from this is. Defeat was a bitter and slightly unbelievable experience in the end. The Colombian entered this match with a record of 73 goals in 109 appearances - 25 from 30 games this season. He's flying.
Yet whenever the Rangers talisman comes up against a green and white jersey he goes to pieces. After eleven attempts he still awaits his first Old Firm goal, the combination of scorned chances and a missed penalty resulting in whole new form of derby hell.
resented with chance after chance Morelos was denied time after time by the heroism of man of the match Fraser Forster, most tellingly from the penalty spot after 63 minutes. Jeremie Frimpong ended his Old Firm debut with a red card for conceding the spot kick as Celtic spent the final half hour under siege a man down. They needn't have worried; Fraser Forster had it covered. He had everything covered.
Entering this game there were so many questions over the mental strength of Steven Gerrard's side. At times they completely outplayed Celtic. And still they couldn't win. Bizarrely he signs of progress were there for all to see once more. Yet the truth is this; progress without prizes is pointless. And after four attempts Gerrard - poised to sign a new contract - has yet to win any.
