Celtic’s victory in Sunday’s League Cup final has prompted the predictable post-defeat reaction from Rangers’ camp, with former striker Kris Boyd leading the outcry.
The Hoops’ triumph, secured through a dramatic penalty shootout after a thrilling 3-3 draw, not only handed Celtic their 119th major trophy but reaffirmed their position as Scotland’s most successful football club. It’s a statistic that seems particularly hard for some to accept.
As Celtic celebrated their win, Rangers’ fans, management, and pundits appeared unwilling to accept the defeat with dignity.
Instead, the narrative has shifted to a single contentious penalty decision—a convenient distraction from the shortcomings that ultimately led to another humbling at Hampden Park.
Boyd’s Crusade:
Kris Boyd, known for his staunch loyalty to Rangers, has been at the forefront of the backlash. Still smarting from seeing his old club outclassed, Boyd has demanded Rangers “demand a meeting with the SFA” to address the perceived injustice.
His outrage centres on an incident in the second half when Vaclav Cerny went down under a challenge from Liam Scales. While the initial foul appeared to occur outside the box, Rangers believe the infringement continued into the area and warranted a penalty.
Boyd’s fixation on this single moment has overshadowed the bigger picture. Celtic’s resilience, tactical superiority, and ability to perform under pressure have been ignored in favour of a narrative that paints Rangers as victims of officiating.
Excuses Over Accountability
This reaction is emblematic of Rangers’ response to high-profile defeats in recent years.
Rather than recognising their flaws, the focus consistently shifts to external factors—whether it’s refereeing decisions, VAR, or supposed conspiracies. Boyd’s demands for “justice” are yet another example of deflection.
The reality is Celtic were the better team when it counted. Key moments defined the match, from Kasper Schmeichel’s crucial penalty save to Reo Hatate’s cool finish and Daizen Maida’s composure under pressure were the key moments that sealed the Bhoys’ victory.
Blaming the referee for one questionable call is nothing more than deflection from a club that’s struggling to cope with Celtic’s dominance.
Move On, Boyd
As Celtic fans continue to revel in yet another Hampden triumph, Boyd’s meltdown is a source of both amusement and bewilderment. Perhaps it’s time for him, and the rest of the Rangers faithful, to take their medicine, admit they were second best, and move on. But then again, where’s the fun in that?
