2011 Scottish League Cup final

The 2011 Scottish League Cup final was the final match of the 2010–11 Scottish League Cup, the 65th season of the Scottish League Cup. It was played by Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers. Rangers won the trophy after extra time 2–1.^[1]

Route to the final

Celtic

As Celtic had been competing in Europe, they entered the competition in the third round. They began their campaign against Inverness Caledonian Thistle and they beat Caley 6–0, thanks to goals from Georgios Samaras (3), Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes (2).^[2] Celtic then traveled to Perth, where they played St Johnstone. Two goals by Stokes and one from Niall McGinn gave The Bhoys a comfortable 3–0 lead. The Saints later came back into the game with goals from Sam Parkin and Murray Davidson, but Celtic held on to win 3–2.^[3] In the semi-final, Celtic played Aberdeen, who had been beaten earlier in the season by Celtic 9–0 and 1–0. Celtic scored four goals in 34 minutes (Kris Commons, Charlie Mulgrew, Thomas Rogne and Anthony Stokes) and eventually won 4–1.^[4]

This League Cup final was the 28th in Celtic's history. They have won 14 of them, the last in 2009, which means Celtic are the second-most successful team in the history of the tournament.

Rangers

As Rangers also had been competing in Europe, they entered the competition in the third round. They began their campaign at home against First Division side Dunfermline Athletic and beat The Pars 7–2, thanks to goals from Nikica Jelavic (2) Kyle Lafferty (3), Madjid Bougherra and Steven Naismith.^[5] In the next round Rangers travelled to Rugby Park, where they played Kilmarnock in an all-SPL cup tie. The Gers won 2–0 thanks to goals from Andrew Little and Naismith.^[6] In the semi-final, Rangers played Motherwell, who had been beaten earlier by Rangers twice in the league 4–1. Rangers scored first, but Maurice Edu's strike was cancelled out by a Keith Lasley second half goal. Rangers then scored again, thanks to Naismith's third goal in this season's competition and Walter Smith's men triumphed 2–1.^[7]

This League Cup final was the 34th in Rangers' history. They have won 27 of them, which means Rangers are the most successful team in the history of the tournament.

Match details

20 March 2011

15:00

Celtic	1–2 (a.e.t.)	Rangers
Ledley 31'	Report	Davis 24' Jelavić 98'

Hampden Park, Glasgow

Attendance: 51,181

Referee: Craig Thomson

Celtic

Rangers

CELTIC: GK 26 Fraser Forster RB 12 Mark Wilson  95' CB 25 Thomas Rogne  73' CB 21 Charlie Mulgrew  110' LB 3 Emilio Izaguirre  120+1' RM 8 Scott Brown (c)  65' CM 16 Joe Ledley CM 33 Beram Kayal  66' LM 15 Kris Commons  103' CF 9 Georgios Samaras CF 88 Gary Hooper Substitutes: GK 24 Łukasz Załuska DF 22 Glenn Loovens  73' MF 18 Ki Sung-Yueng  65' MF 20 Paddy McCourt  103' FW 10 Anthony Stokes Manager: Neil Lennon

RANGERS: GK 25 Neil Alexander RB 16 Steven Whittaker CB 3 David Weir (c) CB 24 Madjid Bougherra  82' LB 5 Saša Papac  58' RM 14 Steven Naismith CM 7 Maurice Edu CM 8 Steven Davis LM 39 Gregg Wylde CF 11 Kyle Lafferty  90+3' CF 18 Nikica Jelavić  33'  117' Substitutes: GK 1 Allan McGregor MF 20 Vladimír Weiss  90+3' MF 41 Kyle Hutton  82' FW 15 David Healy FW 17 El Hadji Diouf  118'  117' Manager: Walter Smith

Statistics

Media coverage

In the UK, the final was broadcast live on BBC One Scotland on their Sportscene programme with build-up starting at 14:30 UTC.

Commentary of the match on radio was from BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.

In Ireland the 2011 Scottish League Cup final was broadcast live on Setanta Ireland.

References