James Tavernier says the word Celtic fans love and admits Hampden defeat gives painful Rangers ‘flashbacks’

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Celtic fans will be enjoying their League Cup final win over Rangers tonight after a tense penalty shoot-out at Hampden.

Brendan Rodgers secured his 10th piece of silverware as the Celtic boss after beating Rangers in a thrilling final that is likely to be talked about for years to come.

Celtic’s goals from Greg Taylor equalised Bajrami’s Rangers opener as Daizen Maeda’s strike but Celtic 2-1 up right after halftime.

However, Rangers drew level through Diomande in the 75th minute of the game. Nicolas Kuhn scored for Celtic to put them 3-2 up in the 87th minute and the German winger must have thought he had won the cup for the Hoops.

However, Rangers equalised immediately to force the game into extra time and penalties and after Celtic hero, Kasper Schmeichel broke Rangers’ hearts, Daizen Maeda delivered the League Cup by converting his penalty to secure the Bhoys’ 119th trophy in their history.

Celtic’s League Cup win gives James Tavernier painful Europa League ‘flashbacks’

Reacting to the defeat, Rangers captain, James Tavernier, admits that the penalty loss to Celtic has given him painful Europa League flashbacks.

Tavernier told Premier Sports, “Obviously, flashbacks of Seville in the Europa League final. It’s never nice to lose a game, obviously on penalties.

“But yeah, I’m also proud of the lads who stepped up and man enough to take a penalty, but obviously didn’t go our way.”

“We put ourselves in a good position at halftime. Then we want to keep doing the right things. Go out as it’s 0-0 and grab our chances.”

James Tavernier ‘disappointed’ with Rangers’ League Cup defeat to Celtic

And as the Rangers captain continued his analysis of being beaten by the Parkhead club, Tavernier said the word all Celtic fans are now used to hearing after another Glasgow Derby defeat.

“We’re obviously disappointed,” Tavernier continued, “With the couple of goals and the manner in how we conceded them, but obviously we put ourselves back in a great position, back in the game.

“And then, you know, these games come down to small chances and clinical chances. We had a 4v1 chance in the second half, and they’re the moments where we’ve got to finish it off.

“So there’s a lot to learn from and we can obviously take a lot of out with this game and obviously push forward for next week.”

Tavernier’s comments mirror those of Rangers boss, Philippe Clement’s assessment of the defeat to Celtic after the Ibrox gaffer complained about not getting a big decision in the game where he felt his team deserved a penalty.

As it stands, Celtic now hold the League Cup trophy and Brendan Rodgers is well on his way to winning another treble with the Parkhead club should he maintain his lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table and successfully defend his Scottish Cup at the end of the season.