Match Report: Rangers B Defeat Celtic In Glasgow Cup

RANGERS B Team have progressed to the City of Glasgow Cup final after defeating their Old Firm rivals on penalties this afternoon.

A goal from each side in both halves wasn’t enough for the Gers to progress after 90 minutes as it moved to kicks from the mark at Auchenhowie.

The young Gers looked to carry the same levels from their victory against Celtic at Parkhead last Tuesday night in the league campaign.

B team boss David McCallum made four changes to his squad from their match against Gala Fairydean on Friday evening with Lewis Budinauckas replacing Jay Hogarth in goals.

Leon King returned to the defensive backline to join Adam Devine, Robbie Fraser, and Kyle McClelland.

Alex Lowry stepped into the midfield with Murray Miller and Cole McKinnon, with Tony Weston, Charlie McCann, and Ross McCausland up front for the Light Blues.

As expected, the game started with intensity straight from the referee’s first whistle as the other half of the Old Firm looked to rectify Rangers’ Old Firm win last week.

Adam Devine and Ross McCausland linked up well in the early minutes of the match to create the first threatening opportunity in Celtic’s final third.

Devine made a great run from the halfway line to the edge of the box before he switched to McCausland breaking down the right side. The youngster cut the ball from the front post to try and connect with Tony Weston in a congested box, but a defender was able to clear his delivery.

The Gers continued to quickly pressurise the visitors’ final third to try and find the opening goal, but it was those in green and white who managed to break the deadlock in the 12th minute after Johnston slotted the ball past Lewis Budinuckas.

Despite that early lead, the Light Blues looked to close the deficit and recover quickly with some important interceptions in the middle of the park to push towards Oluwayemi in goal.

Charlie McCann was next to create danger on goal for McCallum’s side after he collected the ball on the edge of the Celtic box. He took a touch to find some space and sent a powerful effort towards the back of the net, but Oluwayemi was able to get a hand to his shot.

The Light Blues didn’t have long to wait for the equaliser though, as McCausland was on hand to supply a ferocious strike that rattled the back of the net. Robbie Fraser delivered a fantastic cross from the left flank to link-up with the Ger on the edge of the visitors’ box, who took a one-touch volley to gain a must needed goal just before half time.

Rangers carried a surge of energy as they headed into the second half with a strong desire to gain the lead in the last 45. The squad did well to close in on the backline and threaten Oluwayemi on goal, but the visitors did well to block any threatening opportunities.

Tony Weston was close to gaining the lead for his side after great build-up play from Lowry and McCausland. Lowry managed to weave his way through the middle of the park towards the goal and switched to McCausland down the right line. The Light Blue crossed a dangerous effort to Weston in the box, but Jullien was able to clear.

Shortly after, Tommy McIntyre’s side were able to break past the Rangers defence and gain the lead after Summers slotted the ball into the back of the net.

The squad maintained pressure on the visitors’ final third and Cole McKinnon was able to deliver an important equaliser in the 78th minute. McCann crossed a superb ball over the heads of the backline to McKinnon advancing towards the goal, the youngster took one touch to slot it into the back of the net past Oluwayemi.

McCallum’s side kept their energy and desire to push into the final third to the last blow of the referee’s whistle, but after a hard-fought second half, it went to a penalty shootout.

Rangers scored their first four kicks via King, McKinnon, Lowry and Fraser with McIntyre’s side scoreing from Summers, Johnston, Brooks, and Vata.

Wylie took Celtic’s final kick of the five, and Budinauckas made a sublime save to give Rangers the upper hand as McCann stood up to the penalty spot for Rangers.

The youngster struck the ball with power and sent Oluwayemi in the opposite direction to send Rangers to the Cup Final of the tournament.

RANGERS: Budinauckas, Devine, Fraser, King, McClelland, Miller, Lowry, McKinnon, Weston (Ure, 65), McCann, McCausland.

UNUSED SUBS: Hogarth, Allen, Yfeko, Lindsay, Ricthie-Hosler, Lyall.

CELTIC: Oluwayemi, Dede (Corr, 46), Paterson, Otoo, Jullien, Lawal, Dembele, Carse, Kenny, Wylie, Johnston.

UNUSED SUBS: Morrison, Letsosa, Vata, Dawson, Summers, Brooks.

REFEREE: Ryan Kennedy

ASSISTANT REFEREE: Jordan Cousland and Alastair Taylor.