Celtic sweep Rangers aside in semifinal

– Celtic will face Motherwell in the Scottish Cup final after the holders thrashed arch-rivals Rangers 4-0 yesterday.

Brendan Rodgers’ side cruised to victory in the semifinal at Hampden Park thanks to goals from Tom Rogic, Callum McGregor, Moussa Dembele and Olivier Ntcham.

Rangers had Ross McCrorie sent off when they were two goals down as they lost against their Glasgow neighbours for the eighth time in their last 10 meetings.

Celtic, who have won the Scottish Cup 37 times, are chasing a domestic treble, having already beaten Motherwell in this season’s Scottish League Cup final.

The Scottish Premiership leaders are 37 points clear of Motherwell, who beat Aberdeen 3-0 in the other semifinal on Saturday.

Interim Rangers boss Graeme Murty was left to rue a damaging defeat that could ruin his chances of landing the Ibrox job on a permanent basis.

Rogic struck in the 22nd minute when he took a pass from James Forrest and turned back on to his right foot before shooting past Rangers goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.

Rangers defender Russell Martin handed Celtic their second in the 38th minute.

Martin’s attempted clearance went straight to McGregor, who curled the ball past Foderingham.

Any thoughts of a comeback ended when McCrorie pulled back Dembele as he raced through on goal in the 52nd minute.

After McCrorie’s dismissal, Dembele dinked his penalty down the middle for his seventh goal in nine Old Firm derbies.

Substitute Jason Holt then conceded a penalty for a foul on Patrick Roberts in the 78th minute.

Ntcham despatched the spotkick into the corner. – AFP