The aftermath of Celtic’s League Cup victory has been curious, to say the least. Judging by the media coverage and pundit commentary, one could almost believe Rangers had emerged victorious from the penalty shootout, rather than Brendan Rodgers’ side claiming the trophy.
It’s undeniable that Rangers delivered a strong performance, while Celtic were far from their fluent best. Yet it was Daizen Maeda’s decisive strike that secured an enthralling win for the Hoops in a pulsating six-goal final.
However, much of the post-match discourse has veered towards Rangers’ valiant effort, their missed chances, and, of course, their claims for a penalty.
Philippe Clement’s side may have shown promise, but the fact remains they left Hampden empty-handed. Amid the noise, Chris Sutton found himself calling out one of the more bizarre narratives surrounding the final.
Sutton Dismisses Claims That Rangers’ Win Would Have Benefited Scottish Football:
Celtic sit nine points clear at the top of the Premiership table, with a game in hand over second-placed Aberdeen.
The Hoops are also a commanding 11 points ahead of Rangers, having already won the double last season. With the Treble now firmly in their sights, questions about the competitiveness of Scottish football have resurfaced.
Ian Ladyman, speaking on The Monday Night Club, suggested that a Rangers victory in the League Cup final would have been beneficial for the health of Scottish football. Sutton, however, was quick to rubbish the idea, branding it “a load of guff.”
Ladyman argued:
“I personally think it would have been handy for the Scottish game had Rangers won that final.”
Sutton, unimpressed, retorted:
“Oooooh, what a load of rubbish. What an absolute load of guff. Why?”
Ladyman elaborated, suggesting that a Rangers win could have injected confidence into Clement’s side and added competitive balance to the league. Sutton was having none of it:
“It’s nothing to do with the Celtic cap. We congratulate Manchester City for however many years. You don’t bat an eyelid with that because it’s Celtic, who are now the most successful club in terms of trophies with 119. But you have to earn the right. That’s what you have to do.”
Aberdeen Providing the Real Challenge
While discussions about Rangers’ potential revival continue, Aberdeen have quietly positioned themselves as Celtic’s nearest challengers in the league.
The Dons currently sit second and have already beaten Rangers this season, showing they can compete with the league’s biggest names.
Their form has dipped, and the gap to Celtic remains significant, but if Aberdeen can find consistency in the new year, they could inject some much-needed intrigue into the title race.
For now, though, Celtic remain in a commanding position. With a packed fixture list over the festive period, Rodgers’ side have the opportunity to further extend their dominance as they chase another historic season.
