GLASGOW: Celtic striker John Hartson missed a last-minute penalty as Rangers lifted the Scottish League Cup for a record 23rd time yesterday with a 2-1 victory over their fierce Glasgow rivals at Hampden Park. 

Danish forward Peter Lovenkrands, who has a habit of scoring against Celtic, grabbed what proved to be the winner as Alex McLeish's side retained the trophy they won last season in dramatic fashion. 

Lovenkrands, who scored twice in Rangers' 3-2 Scottish Cup final win over Celtic last season, created Rangers' first goal, scored by Argentine Claudio Caniggia after 23 minutes and 12 minutes later swept home the second from a Michael Mols pass. 

Swedish striker Henrik Larsson headed one back from a corner for Celtic after 57 minutes. 

Martin O'Neill's side had midfielder Neil Lennon sent off after 88 minutes for two bookable offences but should have forced extra time when Rangers' Lorenzo Amoruso clumsily felled Bobo Balde in the final minute. 

Hartson, who scored the winenr against Rangers in a league match eight days ago, stepped up but pulled his penalty agonisingly wide, to hand Rangers the cup. – Reuters