Celtic grind their way to glory

TRY telling Darren O’Dea that the Scottish League Cup is worthless. The Dubliner set aside months of frustration at Celtic to inspire the Bhoys to deserved extra-time triumph at Hampden yesterday and dash Rangers’ hopes of a clean sweep of domestic trophies.

After 90 tense but mediocre minutes had failed to produce a goal, O’Dea, who had not scored since Celtic beat Livingston in February 2007, leapt to head a Shunsuke Nakamura free-kick past Allan McGregor in the first of the additional 30 minutes.

Then, in the dying seconds, Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot was red-carded by referee Dougie McDonald for denying McGeady a clear goalscoring opportunity and the Republic of Ireland international scored from the spot.