Celtic 3-3 Rangers (Celtic win 5-4 on pens): Schmeichel has final say as mind games pay off in shootout
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The first penalty shoot-out between Celtic and Rangers since 2016 was an act of advanced psychological warfare. A lesson in the power of mind games. At the age of 38, Kasper Schmeichel has been around the block a few times. On days like this, there really is no substitute for experience.
![[Kasper Schmeichel saves a penalty by Ridvan Yilmaz after playing mind games in the shootout]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/21/93173281-14195573-Kasper_Schmeichel_saves_a_penalty_by_Ridvan_Yilmaz_after_playing-a-12_1734297546841.jpg)
When sudden death arrived after a pulsating, thrilling 3-3 draw and a gruelling period of extra-time, one Rangers player after another trudged from the centre circle for a test of nerve. The ordeal was barely helped by Schmeichel barking in their ear, nipping away at the placing of the ball, bickering, disputing, getting inside tired, frazzled minds.
![[Callum McGregor enjoys a victory that takes Celtic ahead of Rangers in the all-time trophy list]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/15/21/93174963-14195573-Callum_McGregor_enjoys_a_victory_that_takes_Celtic_ahead_of_Rang-a-11_1734297546819.jpg)
For 120 minutes the Ibrox side had defied all the talk of mental weakness. They had proved once again that the gap between these teams is not as wide as some seem to think. They dug deep to pull themselves level twice in normal time and felt they should have had a penalty in the added 30 minutes when Vaclav Cerny was pulled back by Liam Scales on the edge of the area. More than once, Celtic seemed hellbent on throwing the game away.
Cameron Carter-Vickers leads the charge after Daizen Maeda's penalty wins Celtic the trophy. Kasper Schmeichel saves a penalty by Ridvan Yilmaz after playing mind games in the shootout. While James Tavernier, Ianis Hagi and Danilo proved impervious to Schmeichel’s tricks and gamesmanship during the penalties, substitute Ridvan Yilmaz took the bait. The keeper threw himself low to his left to save brilliantly and Celtic had a hand on the cup.
