Celtic 'dig out' cup win & Rangers 'on right track' - your thoughts on weekend

The recent weekend was filled with excitement in the vibrant realm of Scottish football.

Celtic triumphed over their opponents Rangers in a penalty shootout to claim the Scottish League Cup, and there was no shortage of goals and narratives in the four matches of the Scottish Premiership.

Here’s a summary of your perspective on the events that took place...

League Cup Final: Joy And Heartbreak

Celtic supporters were obviously happy to secure the first trophy of the season, even though they felt their team didn't play at their highest level.

Peter: It wasn’t our strongest game, but we’ve still secured trophy number 119. A true mark of a strong team is being able to pull off victories even on off days. The players really gave their all. I’m also thrilled for James Forrest, who just claimed his 25th major title. What are the chances he reaches 27 by May 2025? Let’s keep moving forward!

Steven: Celtic really struggled in the first half, with mistakes in defense throughout the team. Our skilled wingers, Nicolas Kuhn and the composed Daizen Maeda, managed to save the day. This will provide Brendan Rodgers with plenty of lessons to consider ahead of the New Year match across town.

Michael: In the cup final, Celtic shows their ability to keep their composure and finish strong, having been a dominant force in Scottish football for around 15 years. Although Rangers played decently, they seem to lack the mindset required to win.

Stephen: In the first half, Celtic didn’t perform well at all. In the second half, we only played our best football for about 15 minutes. The main point is that Celtic wasn’t at their peak but still managed to secure a win.

Michael: We didn't apply enough pressure; we ended up playing too defensively when we had the opportunity to attack them. That said, we're happy with the victory. Congrats to Celtic on a fantastic win; they demonstrated impressive strength and determination.

Hugh: It was an exciting and engaging match, making it one of the fiercest Old Firm finals in history. That said, we shouldn't get too overexcited; Rangers gave it their all but came up short, while Celtic didn’t play at their best yet still managed to secure the win. The upcoming two transfer windows will be crucial in deciding which team will emerge as the leading force in the coming years.

John: Cameron Carter-Vickers was the standout player. Four against one? He handled it with ease. It was a challenging match; Rangers are showing improved form and managed to quiet Callum McGregor and Kyogo, but they just couldn't stop Daizen Maeda.

Rangers supporters found some silver linings in the loss at Hampden.

Sally: The Rangers put in a fantastic performance and were very strategic in their approach. Nicolas Raskin effectively neutralized Callum McGregor, which impacted Celtic's game negatively. The team showed tremendous effort throughout the match, and their dedication was impressive. As for the penalties, they're always unpredictable, and anyone can miss one—unfortunately, it happened to a Rangers player. It's important for them to keep up their teamwork moving forward.

Stephen: I'm really disappointed! We didn't earn that result, but once again, Celtic seems to get all the lucky breaks. It's hard to say if Philippe Clement will ever manage to win against Celtic!

Ronnie: We put in our all and really deserved to win the match. That moment when we had a four-on-one chance was crucial; not converting it ultimately cost us the championship. Over the last month, the team has made significant progress, and we proved we can match Celtic's level. Now we need to regroup, continue winning, and aim to defeat them in the derby in the New Year. It's a tough loss in what was an excellent final.

Anon: Fantastic job finally! Hopefully, this will put an end to the constant calls for Clement's dismissal. It's time for the fans to recognize the effort the manager is putting in with such a tight budget and stop suggesting alternatives like Derek McInnes to take his place.

Brian: First off, I have to say, what an incredible cup final! Both teams gave it their all to secure the cup. It was a fantastic showcase for Scottish football. However, I really think it's a tough way to decide a winner or a loser in a final like this. I'd love to see the golden goal rule reintroduced, as I believe it would offer a better method for determining the victor.

Fraser: There’s a glimmer of optimism for the New Year’s match, even though it was disappointing to lose due to a questionable penalty. However, Philippe Clement now has a foundation to work from, and we can only wish that he receives support from the board. It was certainly our strongest performance in the Old Firm rivalry in more than a year.

Tom: A tie was a reasonable outcome since both teams had their strong moments. Looking at this match and last season's cup final, you would anticipate that Rangers would take down Celtic at Ibrox, while Celtic would likely win at home. The difference between the two teams isn't significant, but a slow start to the season suggests the title race is essentially settled. However, in the long run, we’re heading in the right direction.

Peter: I'm really impressed with how many players from the Rangers team played in the match. However, I have to say that although he has come through for us in the past, I believe Jack Butland was a key reason we lost the cup final. Diving to the ground isn't the best way to handle saving penalties. It's understandable that he’s only managed to earn nine caps for the England team.

Hibs Move Up The Table; St Mirren, Motherwell, Kilmarnock Win

Sportscene analysts examine the equalizer scored by 17-year-old Evan Mooney for St Mirren.

Hibernian moved up from last place in the Scottish Premiership standings after securing a 3-1 victory at home against Ross County.

Matt: We played poorly for 40 minutes and quite well for 50, which really captures the inconsistent nature of this team. We earned these valuable three points, and it’s a welcome boost that moves us off the bottom of the standings.

Stephen: We need to build on this, but we have to be focused right from the start. A stronger team could have easily taken control of the game in the first half.

Kenny: This was a crucial match for us, and while it wasn't always pretty, we achieved the outcome we needed. Some players still need to put in more effort when we don't have possession. We need to secure points in our next two matches, and we're hoping to enhance the team in January. I'm happy for David Gray.

Craig: It was a crucial victory, but the final score didn't truly reflect how the game went. We lost the ball too often, were slow in making our passes, and tried to hold on to the ball for too long. However, securing those three points is fantastic, and I hope the team finds some reassurance in not being at the bottom of the standings and keeps striving for more. It's the perfect opportunity for us to build on this success and gather more wins!

Andy: The initial 20 minutes were a bit worrying. It’s one thing to play at Celtic Park without any pressure, but facing Ross County at home brings its own set of expectations. Dwight Gayle really showcased his experience by placing himself well on the field; he might turn out to be a fantastic addition to the team. With us fighting to avoid relegation, these three points are incredibly valuable.

Allan: It was a frustrating match for both sets of supporters, but given that we've performed better in the past without earning any points, I'm glad to get these three points! Scoring just before halftime was crucial and gave us the momentum we needed. The substitutions definitely influenced the game positively. It wasn't pretty, but I’ll gladly accept the win as it helps us climb the standings.

Jordan: Hibs got off to a rocky beginning, but they gradually found their rhythm and played significantly better for most of the game. Elie Youan, especially, showed noticeable improvement from his recent performances and confidently converted his penalty despite the pressure.

John: Our poor start was due to a lack of confidence and bravery. We were lucky to be tied at halftime, but in the second half, Hibs really stepped up their game and earned the victory.

Martin: We can be a bit hesitant at moments, and sometimes you must secure a win even if it's not pretty. A win is a win. You can clearly see the hard work and team spirit. I'm excited to see what we can bring in January.

George: We secured the victory, but it's one we'll want to move on from. It seemed like we were a bit jittery, which is disappointing considering how well we played in our previous three matches. However, we managed to come back strong in the second half, thanks to a sneaky equalizer from two experienced players, which was exactly what we needed. Sir David will have to reassess things as we gear up for the game at Pittodrie. The good news is that Aberdeen won't have a clear idea of which Hibs team they'll be facing.

Motherwell triumphed over Dundee United in a thrilling match at Fir Park that featured seven goals.

Fraser: Lennon Miller was in complete control during that match. It had its chaotic moments with some careless touches and stray passes, but he truly stood out. It was a fantastic effort from the team, and they fully earned the win. Now we move on to Killie; let’s aim for a repeat performance. It was also nice to see Stephen O'Donnell back in action.

Stuart Kettlewell has definitely made adjustments to the team's formation, shifting towards a more offensive approach in recent matches. With some players coming back from injuries, our prospects for the future appear much more positive.

Charlie: Once again, the manager responds to his critics, but that’s not going to put an end to their complaints. Some supporters of Well are still calling for the removal of a manager they believe hasn't lived up to expectations. It's quite surprising.

William: Absolutely amazing. Each person contributed and put in a lot of effort. It was a fantastic victory. Dundee United is a solid team, but we outperformed them.

James: That was a solid display. Scoring four goals is a rare feat. However, to be critical, there were instances where we won the ball only to lose it again. Despite that, there were plenty of positive takeaways. Some of Miller's passes were fantastic. I also hope Paul McGinn returns soon.

Ryan: It was an amazing victory. I believe Apostolos Stamatelopoulos played really well and could have easily scored three goals if luck had been on his side.

St Mirren managed to come out on top against St Johnstone in an unpredictable match in Perth.

Alistair: That captures the essence of being a Saints fan—there are highs and lows, and it’s always exciting. Congratulations to Evan Mooney for netting his first goal in our black and white colors; may it be the first of many!

Kilmarnock pulled off an unexpected victory against Hearts, managing to win the match even while being a man down for the full 90 minutes.

James: In my opinion, Joe Wright delivered his best performance for Killie and was the standout player of the match. Even though everyone else stepped up after the red card, I still think it was a more impressive outcome than our victory over Rangers.

Wolfgang: I have mixed emotions right now—I'm both frustrated and proud at the same time! On one side, we got another unjustified red card, which is truly frustrating. Yet, on the other side, we played better overall, and our defense was solid. Derek McInnes had a great game plan, no doubt about it.

It was a remarkable effort from both the players and the coach. No one wanted to substitute Bobby Wales, but sadly, it was necessary.

Derek: The team played incredibly well and achieved a fantastic result considering the situation. However, once again, we had a totally irresponsible red card that could have easily led to us losing points against a stronger opponent. It's frustrating to see such a moment of individual recklessness alongside the discipline and composure displayed by the rest of the team. How do we achieve consistency?

Anon: The guys played really well, but yet again we're down a player. I'm not sure what the record is for the most red cards in a season, but it feels like we're making a strong effort to break it.

Hearts Struggle As St Johnstone, United, County Lose

"Hearts are having a tough time seeking solutions" - Sportscene evaluation.

Hearts' disappointing season carried on at Rugby Park, where a loss placed them in last place in the standings. Fans are worried about the future of the club.

Robert: What happened to the pride of sporting the Hearts jersey? I have to be truthful about what I've observed—or rather, what I've NOT observed—in the manager's approach and strategies. Our forwards seem to be absent from the game. The real question is... is it the forwards who are at fault, or is it the way we're playing?

Jim: How much longer will the board keep Neil Critchley around? He was supposed to bring out the best in the players, not the opposite. We're heading for relegation without putting up a struggle.

Keith: That was really bad. There was no energy, no speed, no skill, and nobody seemed to know what they were doing.

George: That performance was truly terrible. The players need to reflect on their actions. I'm done with all the excuses.

It’s disappointing to see how the players conducted themselves in that game. They should really feel bad about it—it reflects poorly on the team.

Brian: I hate to say it, but Hearts really look like they’re bound for relegation. I just don’t believe they can avoid it based on how they’ve been playing.

Chris: It was painful to see. Absolutely painful. There was no enthusiasm, no drive, and no standout players. Kilmarnock had every chance to secure a bigger victory. Right now, it’s hard to tell the difference between the styles of Robbie Neilson, Steven Naismith, and Critchley’s teams. I’m really worried about Thursday.

Chris: That was the most disappointing display of the season, and that's really saying a lot. The team seems to be going in reverse, and I sympathize with Critchley for having to manage such a terrible group of players. The threat of relegation is very real.

Aldo: We were lacking in every area. We really felt Frankie Kent's absence; our performance in the attack was terrible once more. Significant changes are needed to prevent relegation.

Keith: We’re lacking in toughness, don't show strong character, and there are no real leaders on the field. The failure to make smart investments in higher-quality players at the end of last season reflects poorly on the overall management of the club. It's ridiculous that we're at the bottom of the league given that we have the third-largest budget. Critchley must be confused by the chaotic situation he’s stepped into.

Ross County took the lead at Easter Road but ended up losing 3-1.

Alistair: I've been noticing a lot of talk about how our season should be measured by our performance against the Old Firm. But what about getting completely beaten by the team that's been at the bottom of the league the whole time? Isn't that a better indicator of our season?

Rick: I rarely feel frustration with County. I understand our limitations, but that performance was incredibly annoying! The defense was lacking, and with Ross Laidlaw absent, we're headed for another relegation struggle.

Dundee United supporters were puzzled by the calls made by the referee during the match against Motherwell.

John: It’s pretty humiliating to lose 4-3 to a team that was defeated 3-0 by Hibs just two weeks ago. Emmanuel Adegboyega feels like a ticking time bomb on the field; while he has some decent offensive skills, he makes far too many mistakes.

Jamie: Absolutely. In the match against St Mirren, we received some favorable calls that helped us secure three points. But in this game, there was a clear handball that led to Motherwell's winning goal. It feels like we could have lost out on one or even three points because of poor officiating. It's really unacceptable.

Jamie: We suffered yet another defeat at the hands of Lennon Miller FC, a team that feels like it's just one player doing all the work. The officiating was also terrible. In the first half, I couldn't keep track of how many Motherwell players were diving at every chance they got.

Did Simo Valakari's decisions during the match contribute to St Johnstone's defeat against St Mirren?

Sandy: There’s still a sense of innocence in the team’s approach, but at times, this lack of confidence affects everyone. The other Saints managed to dominate the first half, especially with some Perth players not in their usual positions. However, there was definitely a noticeable improvement in the second half.

Henri: Putting aside the awful calls made by the referees, it's surprising that with a 2-1 lead, the team still had four exhausted forwards on the pitch. I get that Valakari wanted to maintain an offensive approach, but making just a single substitution throughout the entire game is quite disappointing. Adding some defensive players might have helped solidify the win.