Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DEMORALISED, DEMOLISHED & DESTROYED
Too easy for Hoops as 2-0 scoreline flatters Rangers
CELTIC 2 RANGERS 0 William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final
IF Pedro Caixinha didn’t know the size of the task he has on his hands, he surely does now. When Celtic hammered Mark Warburton’s Rangers 5-1 in the opening clash of the season, it was a caning. The 1-0 League Cup semi-final win for Brendan Rodgers’ team was even more emphatic a victory in terms of play if not scoreline. But this was by far the biggest towelling of the lot. This was a fourth win in five games against Rangers for Rodgers – now unbeaten against them and against the rest of Scottish football in 41 domestic matches. Within 10 months of walking in the door, the Carnlough man now stands of the brink of Parkhead greatness. Only Aberdeen in the final stand between him and a place in folklore as just the third Celtic manager to do a domestic clean sweep. Rarely in all the days of the Old Firm could there have been a more one-sided contest, especially a first 45 minutes which was a complete mismatch. The Gers’ Portuguese boss said he was happy Celtic’s Scott Brown had escaped a ban to play. That came back to bite him as the Celtic skipper had the freedom of Hampden to run the show, which he did with relish. Brown strolled it and so did his team-mates. Within 48 seconds, Celtic had won a corner which hitman Moussa Dembele headed wide and the contest was to remain in that area of the field until half-time. On 11 minutes, the champions got their lead. Having suckered Rangers in by playing keep-ball at the back, full-back Mikael Lustig suddenly changed tack and fired a direct 50-yarder which took out the entire Rangers backline. Dembele’s instant control and lay-off for Callum Mcgregor was excellent. And where Stuart Armstrong had curled just wide moments earlier, this effort saw the playmaker not breaking stride to sweep a low finish into the bottom corner beyond a static Wes Foderingham. French dangerman Dembele sent another header over from a corner before going off with a pulled hamstring. It took 40 minutes for the Light Blues to register a shot at goal, which was miles off from Kenny Miller. Just like their first-half show. Caixinha had to do something. Fortunate to be just 1-0 down, it needed drastic action. Within four minutes of the restart, it was all but over. Ironically, Rangers were finally attacking when Rodgers’ team broke at pace for Roberts to send Griffiths scampering clear. James Tavernier sped across to cover but he was just too late and brought the striker down. Referee Willie Collum opted for yellow and, although Foderingham got a hand on Scott Sinclair’s spotkick, he couldn’t keep it out. Celtic were home and dry. They were so far ahead in all areas the only reason the scoreline was not extended was because they overplayed, got confident and just held their lead.