It was another day to forget for Rangers on Sunday, as they fell to an agonising cup final defeat to bitter rivals Celtic.
The Glasgow foes faced off in the Scottish League Cup final at Hampden Park, on what was to turn into a brilliantly dramatic afternoon of football.
A thrilling 90 minutes saw Rangers initially take the lead through Nedim Bajrami, before a Celtic fightback after half-time saw them in the ascendancy entering the closing stages.
The final 15 minutes were chaotic, with Mohamed Diomande scrambling home an equaliser for Rangers before the two sides traded goals just a minute apart - and moments before the final whistle - to seal a 3-3 final score and send the game to extra-time.
Penalties were to be Rangers' undoing, with Ridvan Yilmaz's miss from the spot proving crucial. It was the green-and-white half of Glasgow that was smiling come Sunday evening, after yet more Old Firm heartbtreak for Rangers.
Though Yilmaz's miss was the pivotal moment, former Celtic and Ireland star Aiden McGeady was more fascinated by Cyriel Dessers, who did not take a spot-kick.
- Dessers came on in extra-time
- Dessers top scorer both in league (6) and all competitions (12)
- Left-back Ridvan Yilmaz missed decisive penalty
- Right-back Tavernier and goalkeeper Jack Butland both also took penalties
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Aiden McGeady questions Rangers star's absence from cup final penalty takers
🗣️ "I thought 'Why is Cyriel Dessers not taking a penalty?'"
Aiden McGeady and Cammy Bell ask why the Rangers striker was not one of the first five designated penalty takers in the League Cup final defeat to Celtic.
🎙️ Listen to the Scottish football podcast on @BBCSounds pic.twitter.com/T3FpnJNjwc— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) December 16, 2024
Aiden McGeady appeared on the BBC Scottish Football podcast, as he reflected on his former side's victory in a topsy-turvy Scottish League Cup final.
He explained how perplexed he was that Rangers' in-form striker Cyriel Dessers had not taken a penalty in the shootout, leaving goalkeeper Jack Butland to step up, and leaving full-back Ridvan Yilmaz to bear the brunt of their ultimate defeat.
What did you make of...I know Ridvan's stepped up to take a penalty but what did you make of Dessers not hitting one?
Dessers and Dowell never put themselves forward to hit a penalty and it was all on Ridvan. He's the only one that missed.
We're talking about the penalties, obviously Butland's hitting one. For me that was surprising. I'm wanting my striker - who's my goal scorer - to be hitting a penalty and not putting the pressure on my left back.
I thought when Butland stepped up...normally goalkeepers do hit good penalties. But, if he misses, you're like, 'Oh, please.' Goalkeeper's can't miss, especially when they're in the [first] five penalty takers. Yeah, Ridvan was a strange one for me. He must be really good at penalties in training.
But I thought, 'Why is Dessers not hitting one? Did he not want one? Was he a little apprehensive about hitting one? Is his confidence not there?'
Though Dessers only appeared off the bench in Sunday's game, he has been Rangers' most prolific attacking force this season.
The Nigerian striker is the 'Gers' top scorer in both league (6) and all competitions (12) this season, and fans would surely have expected him to step up to the spot when he appeared off the bench.
Questions will be asked of why defensive players - including the goalkeeper - were allowed to step up in his place.
Whatever the reasoning for Cyriel Dessers not taking a penalty, it was not to be Rangers' day, with Celtic claiming their 119th trophy in dramatic fashion at Hampden Park.
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