2023 Scottish League Cup final (December)

The 2023–24 Scottish League Cup final was an association football match that took place at Hampden Park, Glasgow on 17 December 2023. It was the culmination of the 2023–24 Scottish League Cup, the 78th season of the Scottish League Cup (known as the Viaplay Cup for sponsorship reasons), a competition for the 42 teams in the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL). It was played between Rangers and Aberdeen, meeting at this stage in the competition for the seventh time.[3]

2023 Scottish League Cup Final (December)
Event2023–24 Scottish League Cup
Date17 December 2023 (2023-12-17)
VenueHampden Park, Glasgow
Man of the MatchDujon Sterling[1]
RefereeDon Robertson
Attendance49,296[2]
2024–25 →

Rangers won 1–0 through a goal by captain James Tavernier to claim the League Cup for the first time since 2011 and a record 28th time overall; Aberdeen's trophy drought since their 2014 win in the same competition continued.[2][4]

Route to the final edit

As both clubs participated in European competitions, they both received a bye through the 2023–24 Scottish League Cup group stage.

Rangers edit

Round Opposition Score
Second round Greenock Morton 2–1 (h)
Quarter-final Livingston 4–0 (h)
Semi-final Heart of Midlothian 3–1 (n)

Aberdeen edit

Round Opposition Score
Second round Stirling Albion 2–1 (a)
Quarter-final Ross County 2–1 (a)
Semi-final Hibernian 1–0 (n)

Match edit

Summary edit

In a match hampered by poor weather and numerous fouls, Aberdeen offered little offensively but Philippe Clement's Rangers struggled to make the breakthrough; they eventually went ahead in the 76th minute when captain James Tavernier scored after controlling a cross from Borna Barišić from the left with his right foot before firing to the right of the net. It was the only goal of the game as Rangers claimed a first Scottish League Cup since 2011.[5] Tavernier's goal was the defender's 14th against Aberdeen (all others coming in the Scottish Premiership),[6] tying him with Ally McCoist and Derek Johnstone as the all-time top scorer in the fixture.[7]

Details edit

Rangers1–0Aberdeen
Tavernier   76' Report
Attendance: 49,296
Referee: Don Robertson
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rangers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aberdeen
GK 1   Jack Butland
RB 2   James Tavernier (c)
CB 6   Connor Goldson
CB 27   Leon Balogun   90+7'
LB 31   Borna Barišić   90+7'
CM 4   John Lundstram   40'
CM 21   Dujon Sterling
RW 45   Ross McCausland   74'
AM 13   Todd Cantwell   82'
LW 19   Abdallah Sima
FW 9   Cyriel Dessers   82'
Substitutes:
GK 28   Robby McCrorie
LB 3   Ridvan Yilmaz
CB 5   John Souttar
FW 14   Sam Lammers   82'
LW 17   Rabbi Matondo
MF 20   Kieran Dowell
RW 23   Scott Wright   90+2'   74'
FW 25   Kemar Roofe   82'
DF 38   Leon King
Manager:
  Philippe Clement
GK 1   Kelle Roos
CB 6   Stefan Gartenmann
CB 33   Slobodan Rubežić   90+7'
CB 5   Richard Jensen   80'
RM 2   Nicky Devlin
CM 10   Leighton Clarkson   63'
CM 4   Graeme Shinnie (c)   88'
LM 17   Jonny Hayes   66'
AM 7   Jamie McGrath   52'   70'
FW 9   Bojan Miovski   90+7'
FW 19   Ester Sokler   40'   65'
Substitutes:
GK 31   Ross Doohan
MF 8   Connor Barron
FW 11   Duk   65'
DF 15   James McGarry   66'
FW 20   Shayden Morris   80'
MF 21   Dante Polvara   70'
MF 23   Ryan Duncan
DF 27   Angus MacDonald
DF 28   Jack Milne
Manager:
  Barry Robson

Man of the Match:
Dujon Sterling (Rangers)

Assistant referees:
Daniel McFarlane
Ross Macleod
Fourth official:
David Munro
Video assistant referee:
Andrew Dallas
Andrew McWilliam (assistant)

Match rules
  • 90 minutes
  • 30 minutes of extra time if necessary
  • Penalty shoot-out if scores still level
  • Nine named substitutes
  • Maximum of five substitutions, with a sixth allowed in extra time

See also edit

Notes edit

References edit

  1. ^ Rangers win the Viaplay Cup, Scottish Professional Football League, 17 December 2023
  2. ^ a b Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen: James Tavernier nets as Philippe Clement wins first silverware as Ibrox boss, Nick McPheat, BBC Sport, 17 December 2023
  3. ^ Rangers v Aberdeen: Will old foes drum up another classic League Cup final?, Liam McLeod, BBC Sport, 16 December 2023
  4. ^ Rangers edge Aberdeen in League Cup final for Philippe Clement’s first trophy, Ewan Murray, The Guardian, 17 December 2023
  5. ^ "Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen: James Tavernier fires Ibrox side to Scottish League Cup glory". Sky Sports. 17 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  6. ^ Rangers win Viaplay Cup: James Tavernier drags side to win against Aberdeen, Tom English, BBC Sport, 17 December 2023
  7. ^ Player Records (Filtered) | Most Goals [Filter: Vs Aberdeen FitbaStats (Rangers). Retrieved 19 December 2023