HAMPDEN rocked to Celtic celebrations for the second time in two seasons as the Celtic players completed the League Cup double on Sunday.
It was another frantic, hectic and dramatic encounter, but, once again, it was ultimately successful for Ange Postecoglou and his glory hunters.
Unstoppable Kyogo Furuhashi took centre stage once more with a silverware-clinching double against Ibrox opposition in a 2-1 victory – just as he had done against Hibs in the same scoreline in the competition’s grand finale on December 19 2021.
CQN‘s team of crack photographers were at the national stadium to capture the action. Here is the pick of the pics.
Please enjoy!
THE HAMPDEN HUDDLE…the Celtic players go through their pre-match ritual.
UP, UP AND AWAY…Filipe Jota prepares to hurdle Malik Tillman.
CRUNCH…Greg Taylor clears from Fashion Sakala.
PUSHOVER…Cameron Carter-Vickers shrugs off Alfredo Morelos.
BY THE LEFT…Callum McGregor beats John Lundstram to the ball.
HIGH JINKS…Greg Taylor outjumps Malik Tillman.
PENALTY BOX PREDATOR…Kyogo Furuhashi is about to beat Allan McGregor for the opening goal.
DELIGHT AND DESPAIR…Kyogo Furuhashi races away in triumph with Filipe Jota about to join him. Allan McGregor remonstrates with Ben Davies.
PARADISE AT HAMPDEN…Kyogo Furuhashi looks heavenwards.
JUST IN TIME…Cameron Carter-Vickers dives in to divert the ball to safety with Fashion Sakala in the vicinity. Joe Hart and Carl Starfelt look on.
PICK IT OUT…Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates on the ground as the ball hits the net for Celtic’s second goal. Reo Hatate races off to acknowledge the fans while Borna Barisic, Allan McGregor and Connor Goldson display their disappointment.
RHAPSODY IN GREEN…marksman Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate celebrate with compatriot Daizen Maeda about to join in.
AIR WE GO…Liel Abada jumps over a lunging tackle from Borna Barisic.
HIGH HOPES…Cameron Carter-Vickers heads clear from Scott Wright.
WELCOME TO THE FINAL…Oh Hyeon-gyu is booked only moments after coming on as a substitute following a full-blooded challenge on grounded Ben Davies. Referee Nick Walsh is quick to brandish the yellow card.
HEAD MASTER…Cameron Carter-Vickers clears from Antonio Colak.
ON THE RUN…striker Oh Hyeon-gyu racs away from Borna Barisic.
MY BALL…Alistair Johnston duels with Borna Barisic for possession.
FOILED…Sead Haksabanovic is denied by Allan McGregor as he looks for a third goal. Oh Hyeon-gyu gets a good view of the action.
MISS…Matt O’Riley tries to place a left-foot shot in the bottom corner, but his effort is saved. Tomoki Iwata is ready to celebrate a goal while Tod Cantwell and Ben Davies can only look on.
THE FINAL FLING…Callum McGregor and Greg Taylor celebrate the end of the game.
LIFT-OFF…Joe Hart and Liel Abada celebrate another League Cup Final success.
THE CUP THAT CHEERS…Ange Postecoglou gets his hands on the trophy with Oh Hyeon-gyu, Filipe Jota, Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda, Yuki Kobayashi, Scott Bain, David Turnbull and Anthony Ralston about to join the acclaim.
SCREEN STAR…Ange Postecoglou plays a starring role.
WALKING ON AIR…Filipe Jota is floating as he displays the silverware to the supporters.
TESTING THE METAL…Alistair Johnston with his first Celtic medal.
TEN OUT OF TEN…Callum McGregor celebrates his tenth successive Cup Final win.
HEAD BHOY…two-goal Kyogo Furuhashi lets the League Cup go to his head.
CONGRATULATIONS…Ange Postecoglou (extreme left) celebrates with the Celtic players and backroom staff as they parade the newly-won League Cup.
