Old Firm joy at last for Rangers
( 2002-02-06 09:58 ) (7 )

Celtic's Henrik Larsson (R) jumps over a tackle from Rangers' Arthur Numan (L) watched by Joos Valgaeren (2R) and Ronald De Boer (2L) in the CIS Insurance Cup at Hampden Park, Glasgow, February 5, 2002. Celtic's Neil Lennon (R) battles for the ball with Rangers' Shota Arveladze (L) in the CIS Insurance Cup semi-final at Hampden Park, Glasgow, February 5, 2002.

A sensational extra-time winner from Dutch defender Bert Konterman gave Rangers a dramatic 2-1 win over bitter Glasgow rivals Celtic in the semi-final of the Scottish League Cup on Tuesday.

Konterman's unstoppable shot took the honours in a pulsating match that had seen Celtic defender Bobo Blade cancel out Peter Lovenkrands' opener.

With the scores tied at 1-1 Rangers had the chance to secure victory in normal time but Georgian Shota Arveladze's penalty-kick flew over the crossbar.

Defeat for Celtic, who have dominated the Old Firm exchanges in recent years, ended their hopes of a back-to-back treble while Rangers are just one win away from landing their first trophy in two years.

Rangers captain Barry Ferguson thought Arveladze's miss was going to cost them a place in the final where they will meet Hibernian or Ayr.

"I thought we had missed out chance when we missed the penalty, but Bert's goal was a screamer. I wish I could shoot like that," Ferguson said.

Ferguson believes with league leaders Celtic out of the way, Rangers can go on to lift the trophy.

"We want silverware this season and now we have a chance," he added.

Rangers finished the first half strongly and took the lead in stoppage-time.

Balde recklessly brought down Ronald de Boer to concede a free-kick which Fernando Ricksen struck poorly against the Celtic wall.

But first Barry Ferguson and then Arveladze won headers on the edge of Celtic's penalty area, allowing Danish international Lovenkrands an easy chance which he tucked home.

It was the first time Rangers had been ahead in an Old Firm game since their 5-1 Ibrox win in November 2000.

However, Celtic hit back in the second-half and restored parity in the 74th minute thanks to Balde who poked the ball over the line after a goalmouth scramble.

But Balde's joy was short lived as he conceded a penalty within a couple of minutes, pushing Lovenkrands over as the two chased a long ball into the box.

Referee Kenny Clark had no hesitation in pointing to the spot but when the kick was eventually taken, Arveladze fired it over off the crossbar.

Konterman then flattened Celtic in the final minute of the first extra period.

The midfield workhorse had tried to put Arveladze through but when the ball bounced straight back to him off a defender the Dutch international smashed a rising drive past Rob Douglas from 25 yards out.