World media reacts to Celtic win over Rangers as ‘grey’ Gers campaign continues

Celtic vs Rangers is often talked about in this country as one of the biggest games in the world. And fans of other clubs will roll their eyes.

But it seems the media and public around the world are indeed interested in the Old Firm clashes. The Hoops continued their dominance of Scottish football with a league and cup double after overcoming their rivals with a late, late Adam Idah winner in Saturday’s final.

The Light Blues gave it a better fight than in recent times and will feel aggrieved, manager Philippe Clement insistent that they were the better team on the day. As always, there has been plenty of chatter in this country after the game, and not just about the football, but it has been discussed around the world too.

Below is a look at how the world media has reacted.

O Jogo (Portugal)

“Celtic beat rival Rangers 1-0 this Saturday and won the Scottish Cup, after becoming Scottish champions. The goal came in the 90th minute, through Adam Idah, and the Portuguese Paulo Bernardo – who entered in the 78th minute – actively participated in the effort. The midfielder loaned from Benfica to Celtic carried the ball for several meters, shot hard for an incomplete save by the Rangers goalkeeper, and on the rebound the striker opened the scoring. For Rangers, who won the Scottish League Cup this season, Fábio Silva started and left in the 74th minute.”

Sports Navi (Japan)

“In a match where the patience of a single goal was tested, it was only in a split second that the equilibrium was lost. “In the 89th minute, substitute Bernardo evaded an opponent’s tackle and carried the ball forward and fired a shot from the vital area. It was deflected by the opposing goalkeeper, but Idah pushed the loose ball in and Celtic scored the long-awaited opener.”

DeportesTVC (Honduras)

“With a goal in the last minute of regular time, Celtic beat Rangers in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park in Glasgow to sign a well-rounded season in which they achieved the double. Brendan Rodgers’ men overcame Rangers with a dramatic goal from Adam Idah in the 89th minute. With 42 wins, Celtic are the top winners of the Scottish Cup.”

AS (Spain)

“A goal in the last minute by Irishman Adam Idah gave Celtic the victory against Rangers (1-0) and sealed the conquest of the Scottish Cup title that joins the Premier trophy tied weeks ago. Brendan Rodgers’ team rounded off a great campaign, once again beating their historic neighbor and greatest rival, runners-up in both competitions, and who were unable to make amends for the grey campaign, with the downturn in the final stretch, in the League, with a good cupbearer role. He escaped when the final headed to extra time. “Celtic, who revalidated the success achieved last year, carried the weight of the match and took the prize in the end to raise the Cup titles they have accumulated to forty-two. He also lengthens the distance with his rival. Rangers have 34. Now eight less than the champion. Their last cup was in 2022. The fifteenth final between the two was for Celtic, which broke the historic tie that existed before the duel, with seven wins for each team.”

Gazzetta dello Sport (Italy)

“After 22 years the Old Firm is valid for the final of the Scottish Cup. Success 42 for Celtic after also winning the championship. No revenge for the Rangers who complain about VAR and Butland’s error. After an Old Firm championship game played a few weeks ago which paved the way for Celtic’s title. We return to the pitch for the 150th Scottish Cup final and Brendan Rodgers’ boys win again. Scottish Cup number 42 won by Celtic thanks to a late goal by Idah who punished a less than perfect Butland. Double for the green and whites in the most heartfelt match.”

The Guardian

“This dramatic conclusion to the Old Firm’s season was to prove a tale of two former England goalkeepers. For Joe Hart, glory in his last match as a professional. Hart cried tears of joy as the whistle blew. Jack Butland had little to occupy him over 98 minutes; the Rangers ­custodian’s error in the dying seconds of regulation time afforded Celtic the sole opportunity they needed to claim the Scottish Cup. Butland was the most despondent figure of all as Celtic partied. This felt cruel for Butland, who has been Rangers’ stand-out performer in this campaign. His form led to talk of an ­international recall. But there is no ­denying the 31-year-old was at fault when only parrying Paulo Bernardo’s drive to the feet of Adam Idah. The Norwich loanee etched his name into Celtic folklore by returning the ball past Butland with interest. Brendan Rodgers has secured a domestic ­double in the first season of his second Celtic tenure.”