Rangers Clinch Glasgow Cup After Penalty Shoot-Out Victory Over Celtic
Rangers successfully defended the Glasgow Cup by defeating Celtic in a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw at Firhill. The match saw Stevie Smith’s youthful side emerge victorious, with Celtic’s Lewis Dobbie missing the crucial spot-kick. Neraysho Kasanwirjo opened the scoring for Rangers before Rhys Dargie netted an equaliser for Celtic just before the break.
Tight Contest Settled by Penalties
The match was finely balanced throughout, with few clear chances in the opening stages. Rhys Dargie created the first real opportunity, drifting inside to set up Francis Turley, whose effort went astray. While Celtic looked more composed in the final third, Rangers dominated possession and tried to play out from the back, though they struggled to capitalize on the spaces they created.
Celtic had a penalty claim waved away after a nervy moment involving Rydnn McGuire, which put Kasanwirjo under pressure. But it was the Dutch defender who gave Rangers the lead, capitalizing on a loose ball after initiating an attack and rifling home from the edge of the box.
Celtic responded well and appeared more threatening as the half progressed. Dargie, who was locked in a tough battle with Cameron Scott, found the net at the back post after latching onto a cross, levelling the score just before halftime.
Early in the second half, Nsio had a golden chance to restore Rangers’ lead but sent his effort wide after the ball bobbled on impact. Both sides effectively neutralized each other for the remainder of the match, taking the tie to penalties. After early misses from Nsio and Cummings, it was Dobbie’s failed attempt that handed Rangers the win.
Youthful Line-Up Part of Strategic Shift
Rangers’ line-up reflected the club’s revamped development approach following the disbanding of their formal B team structure. While Celtic fielded a more experienced side from their ongoing Lowland League B team, Rangers largely relied on Under-18 players. This shift is intended to fast-track promising youngsters like Bailey Rice and Findlay Curtis, with many of last season’s B team regulars now out on loan.
Rangers believe that providing younger players with more meaningful exposure—both in training and match settings—will better support long-term first-team integration. Despite Celtic’s physical advantage at times, Rangers’ young squad held their own, showing composure in possession. Highly-rated 16-year-olds Alexander Smith and Aiden McCallion, the latter a regular on Barry Ferguson’s bench, featured prominently.
Kasanwirjo Marks Comeback With a Goal
Returning to action for the first time since a serious knee injury on Netherlands U21 duty, Neraysho Kasanwirjo made an impactful comeback by scoring the opening goal. The 23-year-old, on loan from Feyenoord, had been sidelined for months and underwent knee surgery. His composed finish after pressing high and staying involved in the attack reflected his determination and relief.
Although his loan stint at Ibrox has been hampered by injury, Kasanwirjo had shown promise prior to the setback. Rangers had included a purchase option in his loan deal, signalling their faith in the Ajax academy product. While that clause is now unlikely to be activated, his 45-minute display was a positive step forward and could help him regain momentum ahead of pre-season.
