Callum McGregor and substitute Callum Osmand scored in extra time. Celtic emerged victorious in an epic Premier Sports Cup semi-final against a 10-man team. Rangers in Hampden Park.
With the ex-boss of Hoops Martin O'Neill Returning to the bench as caretaker manager after replacing Brendan Rodgers last Monday – along with Sean Maloney – Celtic took the lead through Johnny Kenny in the 25th minute before Gers midfielder Telo Aasgaard was shown a straight red card by referee Nick Walsh for a reckless challenge on Anthony Ralston.
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The Ibrox side, under new head coach Danny Rawl, who was in charge of his first Old Firm game, fought back in the second half with captain James Tavernier equalizing from the penalty spot in the 81st minute to send the game into extra time.
However, McGregor scored three minutes after the restart before teenager Osmand scored his first Celtic goal 15 minutes later in a 3-1 victory that set up a meeting with St Mirren in the final on December 14 at the National Stadium.
Marching orders: Body Aasgaard sees red in Rangers line-up after dangerous tackle on Anthony Ralston (REUTERS)
A tiring day started with Celtic quickly gaining momentum.
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Japan striker Daizen Maeda went wide and fired straight at Jack Butland, but the Gers goalkeeper was as baffled as anyone moments later when Ibrox defender Nasser Jig's attempt cleared midfielder Nicholas Ruskin and into the Rangers goal, only for VAR to confirm Maeda was offside in the build-up.
Moments later, Gers striker Youssef Chermiti missed the target from six yards after being picked out by Mohamed Diomande.
However, when Kenny leapt highest in the box to head in Arne Engels' corner, barely meeting the challenge of the four blue jerseys around him, Celtic deservedly took the lead.
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Butland saved Kenny's powerful shot before Hoops goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel blocked Raskin's kick from a Gers counter-attack, then Cermiti failed to properly deal with Tavernier's free-kick when he was just two yards from goal.
When the hitherto anonymous Aasgaard was sent into an unnecessary attack on Ralston, the Rangers' task became even more difficult.
When Celtic defender Auston Trusty left his boot on Butland's face after the goalkeeper had collected the ball, there were loud and angry cries from Gers for a red card, but Walsh only showed a yellow card.
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Engels came close, driving 20 yards in the 53rd minute, but then Rangers rallied and their fans roared in protest.
However, in the 63rd minute, Butland brilliantly saved Benjamin Nygren's header from a corner and the Hoops midfielder soon sent his shot over the bar, as did Hoops substitute James Forrest after he struck from 14 yards off the post.
Fantastic captain: Callum McGregor was Celtic's big man again early in extra time (REUTERS)
A brilliant tackle from Celtic defender Liam Scales thwarted Gers substitute Jaidy Gassama's effort from goal and there was more drama when Walsh pointed to the spot when Ralston's diving elbow blocked Gassama's effort on goal.
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Tavernier fired the penalty past Schmeichel and the Govan side had a taste of the winner.
However, in the 85th minute Butland made another crucial save from Osmand as the Hoops launched a late attack which Rangers withstood – until 30 minutes of added time.
McGregor's long-range strike went straight through Butland's hands to restore Celtic's lead.
The Gers goalkeeper saved a header from Osmand, who then missed the target with a header from a corner, but converted a cross from substitute Kieran Tierney to seal the win for Celtic.
