For 30 years the League Cup was our bogey tournament. Celtic won the trophy only three times during the 70s, 80s and 90s. We lost seven finals in the 1970s, winning only one that decade. That 1974 win is cherished especially this week for Dixie Deans’ hattrick in a 6-3 win over Hibernian. Dixie made history with his two cup final hattricks, while Joe Harper carved his name in the history books with his own League Cup Final hattrick for Hibs that day.
The 80s was a decade mostly of elimination before the final. A memorable 1982 win in the Hampden rain over Rangers was followed by two final loses to the same side that decade.
We waited 15 long years for our next League Cup victory. Wim Jansen’s immortal side beat Dundee United at Ibrox, heralding a pivotal season for Celtic. We endured two final defeats that decade, another loss to Rangers and that loss to Raith Rovers.
Celtic have been unequivocal top dogs this century and that shows in the League Cup winner stats, but it was the meek side assembled by John Barnes who won the trophy against Aberdeen under Kenny Dalglish in March 2000.
Martin O’Neill won the League Cup only once, during his first and treble winning 2000-01 season. He lost a final, again to Rangers, in controversial circumstances in 2003. Never question how bad things would be without VAR, kids. We have lost only two finals since, both under Neil Lennon: 2011 to Rangers and the following year to Kilmarnock.
Gordon Strachan won the League Cup twice: over Dunfermline in 2006, when the players wore No. 7 shorts, in memory of the Jimmy Johnstone, who died a few days before the final. Then in 2009, when extra-time goals from Darren O’Dea and Aiden McGeady beat Rangers.
Ronny Deila won the League Cup in his first season at Celtic in a 2015 final against Dundee United, before Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon delivered the Quadruple Treble, an achievement which still sets the tone in Scottish football. The 3-0 win over Aberdeen in 2016 was our 100th trophy and part of the Invincible Treble season. 2017 saw Celtic overcome Motherwell in a difficult final (their fans are still sore), while it was a Ryan Christie goal that beat Aberdeen in 2018.
The 2019 final deserves a moment’s reflection. That Celtic team were clearly at the end of the road and were battered by Newco on the day. But there is a culture of winning these days which is ingrained in the structure at Celtic Park. End of the road or not, Christopher Jullien scored the only goal of the game which saw Fraser Forster deliver one of the all-time great Celtic goalkeeper performances. Even a man advantage was insufficient for Newco.
Neil Lennon would deliver the fourth treble of the series before things fell apart the following year. The 2019-20 season has much in common with this term. This Celtic side is in need of rebuild, but you would be foolish to be bet against them winning any domestic trophy.
Who can forget that magic moment at Hampden when Kyogo lifted the ball over the Hibs keeper to give Celtic the lead and provide Ange Postecoglou with his first trophy in 2021? It was Kyogo who delivered the killer goal in the final a year later, ending Newco’s hopes of taking the trophy for the first time.
Brendan uncharacteristically saw his side eliminated from the League Cup at Kilmarnock on his return two years ago, but the trophy came back home last year, when an epic 3-3 draw with Newco was decided in Celtic’s favour after penalties.
Our incredible record of success in recent seasons has heightened the importance of all trophies, even the once-minor the League Cup. Celtic now cherish winning every trophy, every other club cherishes the prospect of winning any trophy. The League Cup has never mattered more.
Enjoy the day and best of luck to your team.
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I hope Tony R. has a more assured game than he did at Love st.
433
It appears feedback from the players has been taken completely on board by Wilfreid for this cup final
Its a Rodgers 4-3-3 including Tounetki game plan
Just win it Celtic
COYBIG
As long as DM is not right wing
The result will determine what we make of the assumed formation change.
RC on 14th December 2025 2:29 pm
As long as DM is not right wing
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He must be, if Tounekti playing
Is Maeda wide right ? not long to find out
Is Saracci injured, and why no Sinisalo or Bernardo
In the weather, the game is a lottery.
Cmonnnnn Celtic.
LEFTCLICKTIC on 14TH DECEMBER 2025 2:32 PM
In the weather, the game is a lottery.
I agree P certainly an unpredictable feeling about this game for me
live updates up
No great concerns for me with the team and am somewhat encouraged that WN appears to be willing to be flexible if his preferred formation isn’t working.
We know Ralston is limited we are facing a team of hammerthrowers.
Yet to be convinced by Tounekti – hopefully today will be his day.
We’ve surely enough to prevail.
With both KT and Tony R starting, suggests a back four…
And with both Maeda & Iheanacho up front might suggest a front two.
Engels, Cal Mac, Hatate and Tounetki accross the midfield, a middle 4?
Could be, wont know until we line up at 3.30pm or even then.
Like to think that tea would create enough chances to win the game….
Still gotta take them though…
Anyone surprised?
THIS IS ON YOU SHOWER OF SPINELESS COWARDS !!!
They have made our club a small club in so many ways and must go now !!!