FLASHBACK - MATCH 1191- Wednesday 17 May 2006

 SEASON 2005/06

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

Venue:  STADE DE FRANCE

BARCELONA  2  ARSENAL  1

Scorers:  Eto'o, Belletti; Campbell

Arsenal in their first UEFA Champions League final suffered an early blow when their German goalkeeper Lehmann was sent off leaving them to play over 70 minutes with 10 men.  Remarkably though the 10 men took the lead before half time against the much fancied Spanish giants.

It wasn't until the latter stages of the match and the introduction of Henrik Larsson that Barcelona eventually found the goals to take the final away from Arsenal and to win their second European Champions title.

The stats from the match:

Barcelona: Valdes, Oleguer (Belletti 71), Marquez, Puyol, Van Bronckhorst, Deco, Edmilson (Iniesta 45), Van Bommel (Larsson 61), Giuly, Eto'o, Ronaldinho.

Subs Not Used: Jorquera, Motta, Xavi, Sylvinho.

Booked: Oleguer, Larsson.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Eboue, Toure, Campbell, Cole, Pires (Almunia 20), Silva, Fabregas (Flamini 74), Hleb (Reyes 85), Ljungberg, Henry.
Subs Not Used: Bergkamp, Van Persie, Senderos, Clichy.

Sent Off: Lehmann (18).

Booked: Eboue, Henry.

Att: 79,500

Ref: Terje Hauge (Norway).

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• The 4th time I attended a Champions League final - the 2nd involving Barcelona
• The 2nd time I attended a match in Paris

Highlights:

MATCH 2043 - Sunday 14 December 2025

 SEASON 2025/26

SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP FINAL

Venue: HAMPDEN PARK

CELTIC  1  ST MIRREN  3

Scorers: Hatate; Fraser, Ayunga(2)

Attendance: 49,914

St Mirren took a very early lead but Celtic quickly got on equal terms and then looked more likely to go in front until Kelechi Iheanacho went off injured before half Tim.

In the second half it was a different story as St Mirren created the chances and took them to deservedly win the League Cup.

View from seat - East Stand section F3

Match report: LINK

Personal note:

• Overall this was the 80th time attending this fixture but the first in a Final.
• In the Scottish League Cup this was only the 4th time seeing this fixture since 1981 with Saints winning 3 of them.

MATCH 2018 - Saturday 24 May 2025

 SEASON 2024/25

SCOTTISH CUP FINAL

HAMPDEN PARK

ABERDEEN  1  CELTIC  1

Scorers: OG;  OG

Aberdeen win on pens 4-3

A different view from my usual East Stand tickets

Kick off

Aberdeen came from behind to force extra-time and then win the cup on penalties.   The final was largely disappointing, lacking quality and excitement until the last 10 minutes of normal time.

In the closing minutes both sides had chances to win but the match could not be decided after 120 minutes and went to penalty kicks.  Aberdeen converted all their penalties expertly and like in 1990 they claimed the old trophy on penalties at Celtic's expense.

A great display from the Celtic Ultras

The celebrating Aberdeen fans

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:

• 4th time seeing Aberdeen play Celtic in the Scottish Cup final
• Overall 20th Scottish Cup Final I've attended - all bar one involving Celtic
• I've now seen Celtic in 154 Scottish Cup matches and Aberdeen 14 times

MATCH 1987 - Sunday 15 December 2024

Daizen Maeda - Star man from Japan

SEASON 2024/25

SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP FINAL 

Venue: HAMPDEN PARK

CELTIC  3  RANGERS*  3

(Celtic won 5-4 on penalties)

Scorers:  Taylor, Maeda, Kuhn; Bajrami, Diomande, Danilo

Cup final with six goals, extra time, penalty kicks and when the drama was all over the League Cup headed to Celtic Park.

Rangers* opened the scoring on the stroke of half time.  Celtic responded well with two early second half goals only to be quickly pegged back.  In the final five minutes there were two more goals. Celtic thought they had won it with a few minutes to play after a fine move but Rangers* instantly equalised with a great cross and solid header.

Not much happened in extra time so the drama continued onto penalty kicks.  Celtic's five kicks were perfect and Kasper Schmeichel made the vital save to quickly become a Celtic hero.

Match Video: 

Match report:  LINK

Personal note:  

• The 22nd Scottish League Cup Final I've attended since December 1982 - 20 involving Celtic 
• The 3rd final attended between these clubs
• 127th Celtic match attended in the Scottish League Cup
• The 5th match I've attended in the competition this season

FLASHBACK - MY FIRST CUP FINAL - 40 YEARS AGO TODAY!

SEASON 1982/83

SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP FINAL

Venue:  HAMPDEN PARK

Price cut off but it was £2.00

Kick off - 3pm

CELTIC  2  RANGERS  1

Scorers:  Nicholas, MacLeod;  Bett

Fantastic day in the rain at Hampden Park as Celtic won the Scottish League Cup for the 9th time.  The Celtic fans were soaked in the uncovered terrace as the rain fell relentlessly. 

Hampden was getting redeveloped so only the main stand and the two end terracing were opened, meaning capacity was reduced to 55,000.  I remember there was a real struggle at the turnstiles, like a scrum trying to into the ground.

Celtic and especially Charlie Nicholas were in a fine run of form and were two goals up by half time against a sorry looking Rangers side.

The second half however was a completely different story with a quality free kick from Jim Bett immediately after the restart inspiring Rangers.  By the end of the 90 minutes their efforts were in vain and Danny McGrain lead his team up the steps to lift the cup.

MATCH 1858 - Sunday 19 December 2021

SEASON 2021/22

SCOTTISH LEAGUE FINAL

Venue: HAMPDEN PARK

CELTIC  2  HIBERNIAN  1

Scorers: Kyogo(2);  Hanlon

Celtic win their 20th League Cup.

After a non eventful first half Hibs take a shock lead early in the second half but Japanese  sensation Kyogo Furuhashi equalises immediately and then goes on to make himself a cup final hero by scoring a winning cup final goal.

It's the first piece of silverware for Austrialian manager Ange Postecoglou and a host of players he has signed in the summer.

Starting line ups:

Match Report:  LINK

My 20th Scottish League Cup Final.

18 involving Celtic with a record of 12 wins and 6 defeats.

MATCH 1823 - Sunday 8 December 2019

 SEASON  2019/20

SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP - FINAL 

Venue: HAMPDEN PARK

CELTIC  1  RANGERS  0

Scorer: Jullien

Celtic's fourth League Cup Final in a row and their 4th win thanks to a set piece goal from Frenchman Christopher Jullien.  Celtic went into the game understrength with all their recognised forwards out but at least Odsonne Edouard made the bench. 

Celtic were under the cosh for the entire match or at lease until Edouard came on midway through the second half and started making things happen.  Indeed he won the free kick which lead to Jullien's winning goal.

The hero for Celtic on the day was keeper, Fraser Forster who was the wall and thwarted Rangers all day long. 

After taking the lead Celtic conceded a penalty and were reduced to ten men as Jeremie Frimpong was sent off for the foul.  Once again Forster saved to deny the Glasgow opponents.

The final whistle sparked wild joyous scenes in the east end of Hampden.

Match report:  https://www.celticfc.com/news/17222/

My ticket and view:

My 19th Scottish League Cup Final since my first in 1982/83 

- 16 at Hampden

- 17 involving Celtic

- 11th Celtic win

 

MATCH 1799 - Saturday 25 May 2019

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH CUP FINAL 

CELTIC  2  HEARTS  1

Scorers: Edouard(2);  Edwards

    

THE EDOUARD CUP FINAL

& THE TREBLE TREBLE aka "THE TRINITY TREBLE"

52 years to the very day Celtic won the European Cup they create another piece of history by securing the domestic treble for an unprecedented third year in a row - the Treble Treble!

After Hearts take the lead in the second half French striker Odsonne Edouard steps up and producing a match winning performance.  First he wins a penalty and converts it to equalise.  Then he is sent clear by Swede Mikael Lustig and fires home the winner.  It is the first time in the clubs history they've won Scotland's oldest domestic competition three years in a row.

My view from the very back of the East End of Hampden

MATCH 1772 - Sunday 2 December 2018

SEASON 2018/19

SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP

73rd FINAL

ABERDEEN  0  CELTIC  1

Scorer:  Christie

Following on from his Man of the Match performance in the semi final v Hearts, Ryan Christie scores the only goal of another tight final between these sides.

The win makes it three wins in a row in Celtic's bogey competition.

MATCH 1747 - Saturday 19 May 2018

SEASON  2017/18

SCOTTISH CUP 

133rd Final

Hampden Park

CELTIC  2  MOTHERWELL  0

Scorers:  McGregor, Ntcham

Celtic complete an unprecedented double domestic treble with this final win over the other cup specialists this season, Motherwell.  Callum McGregor scores one of the best cup final goals ever which is quickly doubled by a clinical striker from French midfielder Oliver Ntcham.

MATCH 1721 - Sunday 26 November 2017

 SEASON  2017/18

SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP

FINAL

at Hampden Park

CELTIC  2  MOTHERWELL  0

Scorers: Forrest, Dembele

For the second year running Celtic claim the Scottish League Cup after a tough encounter with Motherwell.

MATCH 1699 - Saturday 27 May 2017

SEASON - 2016/17

132nd  SCOTTISH CUP

FINAL 

Hampden Park

ABERDEEN  1  CELTIC  2

Scorers:  Hayes;  Armstrong, Rogic

A dramatic ending to the Scottish Cup Final and the season as Tom Rogic's last minute solo goal not only wins Celtic the Scottish Cup it also gives them the domestic treble and completes a remarkable unbeaten domestic season meaning they will be forever known as the "Invincibles".

My 16th Scottish Cup Final - 15 including Celtic and 3 involving Aberdeen.

MATCH 1671 - Sunday 27 November 2016

SEASON - 2016/17

SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP

FINAL

HAMPDEN PARK

ABERDEEN  0  CELTIC  3

Scorers: Rogic, Forrest, Dembele

Celtic win the first trophy of the season and their first under Brendan Rodgers.  It is also the club's 100th trophy triumph in domestic and European competition.

My 16th Scottish League Cup Final - 14 of which involved Celtic.

MATCH 1641 - Sunday, 13 March 2016

Season:  2015/16
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP  FINAL
Venue:  HAMPDEN PARK

HIBERNIAN    1    ROSS COUNTY    2

Scorers:  Fontaine;  Gardyne, Schalk

Great day for Ross County as they completed a green double having already beating Celtic in the semi final, they defeated the Edinburgh greens to achieved their first ever cup success.  It was far from a classic but the final was settled in dramatic style with a last minute winner.
For the first time in over a hundred visits to Hampden I went via Rutherglen train station.  It's a good hike to the east end of the ground (25-30minutes) but still much quicker than the walk from the city centre or waiting in the queue at Mount Florida station.  A good option if travelling from/to Lanarkshire area.


Personal note: My 15th Scottish League Cup Final but first involving either of these clubs.


Attendance: 38,000 with Hibs bringing 30,000

MATCH 1596 - Sunday, 15 March 2015

Season: 2014/15
SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP FINAL
Venue: HAMPDEN PARK

CELTIC    2    DUNDEE UNITED    0

Scorers:  Commons, Forrest

The match was far from a classic but Celtic clinched their 15th League Cup.  Both goals scored when United were down to 10 men, 1st when Dillon was off having treatment, 2nd after the sending off of the same player.

Celtic End turnstyles

HAMPDEN ~ 2.00pm

HAMPDEN ~ 2.15pm

HAMPDEN ~ 2.30pm

HAMPDEN ~ 3.00pm - The United end has been "Tango'd"

Kick off

Second half

Personal note:  14th League Cup final - 13 involving Celtic
2nd one contested between these sides
7th Celtic victory (1982, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2009 & 2015)