Celtic beat Rangers in extra-time to win cup

Celtic lifted the first silverware of the Scottish season with a 2-0 extra-time victory over bitter rivals Rangers in the League Cup final yesterday. Republic of Ireland duo Darren O'Dea and Aiden McGeady were Celtic's goalscoring stars in the additional 30 minutes at Hampden.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan had sprung a surprise before kick-off, starting with Scott McDonald in a lone-striking role with his misfiring strike partners Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras on the bench.

Rangers, meanwhile, had been robbed of the services of influential Algerian defender Madjid Bougherra, who was ruled out with a calf strain.

With only a minute played of extra-time Celtic, who had shown better play during normal time, were ahead through the unlikeliest of sources.

Shunsuke Nakamura's free-kick from the left was met by defender O'Dea who sent a header into the Rangers net.

Rangers were clearly rattled and Celtic completed the victory from the penalty spot in the final seconds of extra-time, after Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot's crude challenge on Aiden McGeady, which earned the Rangers man a straight red card.

McGeady picked himself up to send goalkeeper Allan McGregor the wrong way and secure the League Cup for Celtic.