CELTIC claimed their tenth domestic trophy on the trot as they defeated Rangers 1-0 in the Betfred Cup final.
The Hoops weathered significant pressure from their Old Firm rivals before Christopher Jullien made himself hero with a tidy side-foot finish.
Celtic sneaked home against Rangers to win their tenth successive domestic trophyCredit: Reuters
But it was despair for Steve Gerrard and his players as they fluffed their linesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Fraser Forster was also immense for the Celts as he continually denied numerous Rangers attacks, including an Alfredo Morelos penalty, as the Hoops played the final half-hour with ten men after Jeremie Frimpong was ordered off.
It was a major kick in the teeth for Gerrard’s side who could have secured their first League Cup win in eight years.
This was a fiery affair from as soon as the teams emerged from the tunnel.
Flames spiralled into the sky before the heated contest on the park got underway.
PLENTY OF NEEDLE
Even before Willie Collum blew for kick-off he could’ve been forced to intervene as Scott Brown and Scott Arfield exchanged fierce looks and a firm handshake as the mind games began.
From the first kick, Gerrard’s side assumed control of the opening exchanges as they claimed a flurry of corners forcing early pressure on the champions.
The Light Blues then came within inches of opening the scoring with 14 minutes on the clock.
Ryan Jack rocketed a shot towards the top corner only for Forster to get his left hand to the ball and claw it off the line.
Rangers’ press was relentless as Celtic failed to string together any passes.
Christopher Jullien scored the only goal of the game to bag the cupCredit: PA:Press Association
FORSTER SHINES AGAIN
Gers danger man Alfredo Morelos then came close to breaking the deadlock with two powerful efforts at goal.
First Morelos hammered a strike at Forster from the left flank, which was saved into the six-yard box before being hacked clear as Joe Aribo looked to pounce on the rebound.
Then on the half-hour mark Morelos beat Kris Ajer down the right wing before cutting into the box and unleashing a low drive, but Forster saved well with his right leg.
Steven Gerrard then nervously watched on as key midfielder Ryan Jack lay on the turf after a crunching tackle on Lewis Morgan.
Jack raced back before steaming into an inch-perfect challenge on Morgan, but appeared to injure himself in the process – but he carried on.
Five minutes before the break Morelos again attempted to beat Forster in the Celtic goal, but his effort was saved once more.
JULLIEN THE HERO
After the restart it was more of the same as Morelos and Forster took part in a beat-the-goalie challenge.
The Columbian was sent down the left wing and fizzed an inviting ball across the face of the goal, but no one applied the finishing touch.
But Morelos continued to test Forster in the 56th minute as his header from close range required a reaction stop from the big keeper.
Celtic then showed the reason they’ve dominated domestic competition for so long as they meandered up the park before stealing a lead.
Ryan Christie whipped in a cross fro Christopher Jullien to side-foot home at the back-post on the hour mark.
It undone all of the work from Steven Gerarrd’s men to establish control in the final.
But Gers had the chance to level it almost immediately as Jeremie Frimpong fouled Morelos in the box, for which the diminutive defender was sent off.
Morelos stepped up with the chance to restore parity but watched his latest effort, from the spot, thwarted by Forster diving to his right.
Celtic could’ve killed the match with twenty minutes left as sub Odsonne Edouard sent Mikey Johnston through on goal, but the winger waited too long before rifling wide of the right post.
In stoppage time Morelos had one final strike at goal as he fired low but it flashed jst wide of the margin.
The usually reliable Alfredo Morelos saw his penalty saved by Fraser ForsterCredit: Reuters
Steve Gerrard knew just how important Morelos’ golden chance wasCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Celtic had to play the final 22 minutes with ten men after Jeremie Frimpong was sent offCredit: PA:Press Association
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
