Another glorious victory for Celtic added to the misery of their rivals as the season drew to a close.
Despite a strong performance in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden, Rangers fell victim once again to Brendan Rodgers’ relentless Celtic side. Adam Idah’s decisive goal in the 90th minute, courtesy of a Jack Butland error, secured a league and cup Double for the Hoops. Philippe Clement had initially brought Rangers into contention for a potential Treble, but now only a League Cup win stood between them and a complete sweep at the hands of their city rivals.
With another rebuilding phase looming for Ibrox, Celtic’s undeniable financial advantage, fueled by Champions League earnings, ensures they will be the dominant force in the transfer market this summer. Retaining all but one of their trophies from the previous season, despite not hitting peak form this year, is undoubtedly a commendable achievement. Their victory at Hampden epitomized their resilience in the face of intense pressure.
The match was closely followed by football enthusiasts worldwide, with varying perspectives emerging from different regions:
AS (Spain):
The Spanish publication bemoaned Rangers’ missed opportunity to salvage a lackluster season with a cup double while highlighting Celtic’s continued dominance in the Old Firm rivalry. They noted, “Celtic’s last-minute goal by Irishman Adam Idah sealed their victory over Rangers (1-0) and clinched the Scottish Cup title, adding to the Premier trophy secured weeks before. Brendan Rodgers’ team once again outshone their arch-rivals, who finished as runners-up in both competitions. The report emphasized Rangers’ inability to bounce back from a disappointing season, with their hopes dashed as Celtic secured the win just before extra time loomed. Celtic, by defending their previous year’s success, further extended their lead in Cup titles to forty-two, intensifying the gap with their rivals, Rangers, who now trail by eight titles.”
O Jogo (Portugal):
The Portuguese outlet focused on Paul Bernardo’s pivotal role in Adam Idah’s late winner, with a minimal mention of compatriot Fabio Silva. They highlighted, “Celtic’s 1-0 victory over arch-rivals Rangers in the Scottish Cup final capped off a successful season after being crowned Scottish champions. The decisive goal arrived in the 90th minute, courtesy of Adam Idah, with Portuguese midfielder Paulo Bernardo—on loan from Benfica to Celtic—making a significant contribution. Bernardo’s surging run and powerful shot, parried by the Rangers’ goalkeeper, set up Idah’s goal. For Rangers, who claimed the Scottish League Cup this season, Fabio Silva featured from the start but was substituted in the 74th minute.”In Italy, the Rangers missed a shot at revenge and their grievances with VAR were noted. The Gazzetta dello Sport reported, “The Old Firm rivalry reignites in the Scottish Cup final after 22 years, with Celtic claiming their 42nd cup victory following a recent championship win. Rangers’ hopes for payback were dashed as they lament VAR decisions and a costly error by Butland.
The Guardian, based in the UK, highlighted the contrasting fate of the goalkeepers in the Old Firm showdown. They noted, “As the season concluded with a dramatic Old Firm clash, it was a tale of two English goalkeepers. Joe Hart found glory in his final professional match, shedding tears of joy at the triumph. Meanwhile, Rangers’ custodian, Butland, faced despair after his late error gifted Celtic the Scottish Cup. Butland, who shone throughout the season, faced scrutiny for the costly mistake that allowed Idah to secure victory for Celtic. Despite Butland’s standout season, it ended bitterly as Celtic celebrated a domestic double under Brendan Rodgers’ leadership.”