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.

Route to the final

Celtic Round Opposition Score Third round Inverness CT 6–0 Quarter-final St Johnstone 3–2 Semi-final Aberdeen 4–1

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). 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. 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.

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 Round Opposition Score Third round Dunfermline Athletic 7–2 Quarter-final Kilmarnock 2–0 Semi-final Motherwell 2–1

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. 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. 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.

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

CELTIC: GK26 Fraser ForsterRB12 Mark Wilson CB25 Thomas Rogne CB21 Charlie Mulgrew LB3 Emilio Izaguirre RM8 Scott Brown (c) CM16 Joe LedleyCM33 Beram Kayal LM15 Kris Commons CF9 Georgios SamarasCF88 Gary HooperSubstitutes:GK24 Łukasz ZałuskaDF22 Glenn Loovens MF18 Ki Sung-Yueng MF20 Paddy McCourt FW10 Anthony StokesManager: Neil LennonRANGERS: GK25 Neil AlexanderRB16 Steven WhittakerCB3 David Weir (c)CB24 Madjid Bougherra LB5 Saša Papac RM14 Steven NaismithCM7 Maurice EduCM8 Steven DavisLM39 Gregg WyldeCF11 Kyle Lafferty CF18 Nikica Jelavić Substitutes:GK1 Allan McGregorMF20 Vladimír Weiss MF41 Kyle Hutton FW15 David HealyFW17 El Hadji Diouf Manager: Walter Smith MATCH OFFICIALS Referee: Craig Thomson Assistant Referee 1: Graham Chambers Assistant Referee 2: George Drummond Fourth Official: William CollumMATCH RULES 90 minutes 30 minutes of extra-time if necessary Penalty shoot-out if scores still level Five named substitutes Maximum of three substitutions

Statistics Statistic Celtic RangersGoals scored 1 2Total shots 12 15Shots on target 6 9Ball possession 50% 50%Corner kicks 6 9Fouls committed 25 20Yellow cards 3 3Red cards 1 0

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