Celtic go the distance to keep double alive in pulsating semi
Parkhead manager maintains perfect Hampden record as holders prevail in epic Mount Florida battle
CELTIC are through to yet another Scottish Cup final after a classic tie in the Hampden sun against Aberdeen. Bojan Miovski had got the Pittodrie club off to a flier at the national stadium after he slotted home beyond Joe Hart with just two minutes on the clock.
However, their lead lasted a little under 20 minutes as a mistake at the back allowed Kyogo Furuhashi to disposses Angus MacDonald with Nicolas Kuhn eventually scoring the rebound from the Japanese striker’s effort into an empty net.
James Forrest thought he was the match-winner mid-way through the second half with a lovely placed finish. That was until Ester Sokler scored in the dying moments to force extra-time.
And there were more twists to come during the additional half-hour as Matt O’Riley netted his 14th goal of the season before, once again, Aberdeen responded as MacDonald atoned for his previous error to send the Reds’ supporters wild.
The shootout then offered plenty more drama, with Celtic goalkeeper missing from 12 yards with his side’s fifth effort before going on to secure Celtic’s return to the national stadium next month by saving from Killian Phillips to earn a 6-5 shoot-out win. Here are the five main takeaways from the showpiece event.
League and cup double is on
On a warm summer’s afternoon in August last year, Brendan Rodgers’ perfect domestic cup record in Scotland came to an end. Marley Watkins scored the only goal of the game at a sun-kissed Rugby Park as Kilmarnock deservedly knocked the League Cup holders out at the last-16 stage. For Rodgers, he’d never experienced defeat to a Scottish team in either cup. It’s safe to say that provoked clear motivation for the head coach, and in turn his players, as they began the defence of their Scottish Cup this term. It may not have been pretty, but they got the job done. They will take on the winners of Rangers or Hearts in the showpiece final on Saturday, May 25.
Rodgers’ perfect record intact
One record that has remained for Rodgers is his perfect copybook at Hampden.
The Northern Irishman guided Celtic back to another cup final, having never been beaten at the national stadium. It was a treat for the neutral with a pulsating 2-2 draw in normal time. But in extra-time, the champions stamped their authority and managed to overpower their rivals in Mount Florida and forged ahead through O’Riley, only for MacDonald to pop up at the death to force a shootout.
Rodgers will be hoping Hampden remains a happy hunting ground for his team next month when they take to the same stage for the Scottish Cup final – but he will possibly be hoping for less drama when that showpiece comes around. He won’t have been happy with some of the defending at all three of Aberdeen’s goals, with his defenders backing off constantly, but in cup football the performance doesn’t matter, the result is all that counts.
Quickfire start from the Dons
Aberdeen needed to make their presence felt at Hampden as early as possible. A marker was required to be laid down. Thanks to Leighton Clarkson and Miovski, stand-in boss Peter Leven got exactly that from his side.
The last thing Aberdeen wanted was to lose an early goal. What they did need, though, was Miovski going clean through on goal, one-on-one with Hart.
The North Macedonian was slipped in behind Celtic thanks to an inch-perfect Clarkson pass. He rarely misses in those situations, and you’d have been silly to bet against him here. The No.9 slotted under Hart, who did make contact with the ball, but the keeper could not prevent the ball from sailing into the net. Given how dismal their domestic campaign has been it was surprising to see but, nevertheless, deserved and certainly gave us a game well worth tuning into.
What an impact from Forrest
One of my esteemed colleagues wrote a piece during the week touting the 32-year-old to make the difference for Rodgers’ side this weekend. I think I’ll be asking for the lottery numbers from him. After mere seconds on the park, the one-time Scotland internationalist made the desired impact off the bench.
He replaced the unproductive Yang, who once again looked lost in a Celtic jersey. While the South Korean has youth on his side, Forrest is at the other end of the scale. This was just his 23rd appearance of the season, with the vast majority of them coming off the bench. He had three goals this term prior to this one, which took his total haul for the club up to 106. And you could see the confidence oozing out of the Prestwick-born player after his strike. He was cutting inside from the left at ease, just as he did for almost the entirety of Rodgers’ first tenure at the club. It’s how this one settled into the bottom corner as well, with neither Dante Polvara nor Connor Barron able to halt him, as his trademark right- footed shot placed neatly beyond Kelle Roos. His weight of pass for Alistair Johnston was on the money in the lead-up to the third, too. He’s not played as much as a player of his calibre would’ve liked this season, but his showing yesterday is a reminder to everyone, including the fans, that he’s not finished yet, with his bright-spark impact crucial to Cel tic’ s progression.
You can’t beat a redemption arc
Dear, oh, dear. After the perfect start from Aberdeen, skipper MacDonald let his team-mates down. They’ll never let him know that, but the truth is they won’t need to – he’ll be acutely aware of his cock-up.
The former Hull City and Rotherham United man dallied on the ball, trying to be too clever while in safe possession close to the centre circle.
Furuhashi typically put him under pressure, with the ball getting stuck under the defender’s feet, and all of a sudden the Japanese striker was through on goal unchallenged.
Roos produced a big save to deny the forward, but the Dutchman couldn’t prevent Kuhn from following up with an easy tap-in to level proceedings not too long after a sensational start for the Dons.
Who doesn’t love a story of redemption, though? MacDonald recovered well enough to enjoy a decent game. And it was in the final moment of extra-time he nodded home Junior Hoilett’s perfect cross to force penalties, where he showed great composure to step up second and score.
It wasn’t to be for Aberdeen, who gave their all, though.