New Resolve under Martin O'Neill as Celtic Overpower Rangers for Cup Final Spot
McGregor and Osmand’s decisive strikes seal Hampden glory for a resurgent Hoops side under Martin O'Neill and Shaun Maloney.
It’s the morning after the night before, Celtic fans are celebrating a 3-1 win over city rivals Rangers in the 2025 League Cup semi final at Hampden Park.
While it may not be a defining moment of this season, it signalled a transformative one under Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney, after a five game winless record against the Ibrox side under Brendan Rodgers that stretched back to December 2024!
Celtic now face St.Mirren in the League Cup Final, after they thumped Motherwell 4-1 in the other semi final on Saturday.
Intensity, Aggression, Control
Celtic began the first half with intent - something that never materialised under Rodgers in the derby games - as O’Neill and Maloney opted for high-energy pressing, vertical passing, and a clear desire to impose themselves in midfield. The switch to a double pivot - bringing in Arne Engels alongside Callum McGregor - meant McGregor was far more influential, no longer isolated and able to drive forward without worrying about defensive cover. The tactical play saw Celtic faster and more direct than under Rodgers, with wingers pinning Rangers back early.
Celtic should have been 1-0 up after Nasser Djiga’s clearance deflected off Nico Raskin and into his own net to send Celtic fans delirious. However, VAR ruled the goal offside after Daizen Maeda was deemed to have strayed offside in the run up to the goal - it was the tightest of margins and it wasn’t helped by another dodgy VAR call using a still from an acute angle and wonky lines drawn by Steven McLean and Andrew Dallas.
It was a huge let-off for the under siege Rangers side, but they should really have been 1-0 up seconds later after their £10 million signing from Everton, Youssef Chermiti missed an absolute sitter at Kasper Schmeichel’s backpost - and it proved costly.
Jonny Kenny’s opener came from further sustained Celtic pressure: a well-worked corner routine saw Kenny rise above the Rangers defence to head home - there was denying Celtic the lead this time.
Minutes before half-time and Rangers were down to ten-men as midfielder Thelo Aasgaard was rightly sent off for a disgusting and dangerous challenge on Anthony Ralston, as he went studs up into the defender’s thigh - ignoring the ball entirely. Celtic could have also been down to ten-men soon after, as defender Auston Trusty was booked for a boot into the face of Rangers keeper Jack Butland. It was naughty from the American defender and there would surely have been no complaints if he had been given his marching orders rather than a yellow card.
However, Rangers really should have been down to nine men at half time as the officials failed to show a red card to Canadian centre back Derek Cornelius. who flew into a tackle on Johnny Kenny with studs up and above the striker’s ankle. His trailing leg also followed through making further contract in what was a late, forceful and dangerous tackle - and yet the officials failed to rule that as serious foul play.
While I did not see the 4-0 win over Falkirk in midweek other than match highlights, the first half showing at Hampden was clearly the best that Celtic had played all season long and was clearly a huge difference from Rodgers’ one-dimensional ponderous, possession-heavy style, tippy tappy pish that we were subjected to during his tenure.
Adaptation and Missed Chances
Rangers responded after the break as Danny Rohl switched to a back four, giving his side more bite in midfield. Despite Celtic being pegged back, they still created multiple opportunities to extend their lead - a Nygren header saved, shots blazing over, James Forrest striking the bar - they couldn’t finish Rangers off and that lack of clinical edgesaw Rangers equalise through dubious circumstances.
Celtic’s Ralston was penalised for handball as he fell with his arms tucked into his body facing away from the ball. Despite protestations from the Celtic players, and Nick Walsh not looking at the incident on the screen, VAR deemed it to be a penalty kick. One that will almost certainly be flagged by Refs chief Willie Collum in the coming days as being the wrong decision. Rangers captain James Tavernier scored the ensuing penalty kick, making it 1-1. But the cries still rang around Hampden as Rangers fans and players alike demanded Ralston be sent off for a second bookable offence - despite it not being a mandatory yellow card offence two seasons ago.
Rangers smelled blood, but Celtic’s defences held firm despite some wobbly moments. As full time approached there was still time for Hatate to blaze well over the bar as Extra Time loomed.
Leaders and New Heroes
Extra time saw a resurgent Celtic rediscover their calm and clarity. Three minutes in and Rangers were put to the sword as Callum McGregor hammered home a 25 year strike through Butland. Under Rodgers, McGregor was leashed to a more defensive role, but under O’Neill and Maloney he was again Celtic’s beating heart and creative engine.
19 year old substitute Callum Osmand became Celtic’s latest hero, netting Celtic’s third to seal the win and put the tie beyond Rangers’ reach - after missing a number of other chances. The management team’s willingness to trust the likes of Auston Trusty, Johnny Kenny, and Callum Osmand says much about their strategy of reinvigorating a tired and fed up squad under Rodgers.
O’Neill’s emphasis on mental strength, tactical flexibility, and trusted lieutenants restored a sense of belief. The squad - once divided under Rodgers - performed with a sense of unity and collective ambition on the day. Even Daizen Maeda looked fired up and back to his predatory best on occasions.
O’Neill and Maloney: The Impact
The turnaround since Rodgers’ departure has been striking. Under Rodgers, Celtic’s style was stale and predictable, midfielders isolated, and attacking dynamism largely absent. O’Neill and Maloney have given the team renewed focus: McGregor partners instead of anchors, wingers get more chalk on their boots, and there’s clarity about roles and positions. O’Neill has brought back some old-school leadership, but Maloney appears central to day-to-day coaching and tactical nuance. The effect is visible on the pitch - Celtic attacked with purpose, defended together, and looked a side reborn. Players previously marginalised look revitalised, and a collective sense of belief has returned.
The Cup Final: St. Mirren Are No Pushovers
Celtic will be heavy favourites in the final against St. Mirren - a club with recent momentum and no inferiority complex. Stephen Robinson’s Saints have not beaten Celtic in 13 meetings, but they finished first in their League Cup group and showed resilience in the semi against Motherwell. St. Mirren are hard to break down, well-coached, and capable of punishing mistakes.
For Celtic, the challenge will be to maintain focus, avoid complacency, and keep the tactical freshness that’s delivered results under the interim regime. St. Mirren’s compact defending and smart counter-attacks are a real hurdle for any side expecting an easy win.
Managerial Succession
Given the turnaround in results and mood, I would have no qualms in letting O’Neill and Maloney manage Celtic through to the summer. Stability is crucial during the business end of the season, and their understanding of the club - both its heritage and current personnel - is invaluable.
However, if the opportunity to appoint Kjetil Knutsen arises, it makes sense to act at the end of the Norwegian season this month. Knutsen’s work at Bodø/Glimt is among the most impressive in Europe, his tactical philosophy suits modern Celtic ambitions, and he is arguably a long-term solution.
Limiting disruption by waiting until summer is reasonable, but Celtic must strike while the iron is hot if a game-changing manager like Knutsen is genuinely attainable. Ipswich’s manager Kieran McKenna remains an interesting alternative, with proven ability to rebuild clubs and promote progressive play.
Whatever route the Celtic board decide to take, Martin O’Neill has further endeared himself to the Celtic faithful and if it can be possible - further cement his legendary status at the club.
Celtic’s win over Rangers was about more than reaching another final - it was the product of smart tactical realignment, renewed squad focus, and restoring a sense of pride and identity that had disappeared under Brendan Rodgers. Rangers once again know where their place is and it is under our boot. Glasgow is Green & White.
O’Neill and Maloney have injected urgency, belief, and flexibility into the team, showing that change - when well-managed - can reap swift rewards. With one hand already on the League Cup, this is a Celtic side on the mend, playing with verve and resilience. The final will demand respect for St. Mirren’s progress, but Celtic, finally, look like favourites with substance behind the expectation.
If the club moves decisively for a new manager - specifically Knutsen - by the month’s end, it will be a bold statement about future ambitions. But for now, O’Neill and Maloney have done more than enough to earn the trust and patience of the support to continue doing the job.
As for Rangers, they are once again running crying to the SFA after a defeat to Celtic, in another case of selective outrage from Scottish football’s perennial losers. Demanding to know why Trusty wasn’t shown a red card - while ignoring them escaping a second red card of Corenlius’ tackle and being awarded the dodgiest penalty of the season so far. Once again, looking for excuses to blame the officials rather than their own players’ failing to step up when it counts once again.
A disappointing but predictable fallout from a superb Celtic win. This will almost certainly drag on for weeks fuelled by a Scottish media who were begging for Rangers to win on Sunday.