CELTIC swept league leaders Hearts aside at the home of Scottish rugby this afternoon to reach the Betfred Cup Final next month.
The Cup holders will find out in the next few hours if they will face Derek McInnes’ Aberdeen side or their noisy neighbours from across the city. The Celtic supporters leaving Murrayfield this afternoon will not worry much about that because on the form Celtic showed in the second half today no side in Scotland can live with them.
The only surprising thing is that Celtic only scored 3 times in the second half. They could have reached double figures such was their dominance and the chances they created.
Celtic had stars all over the field. In defence skipper Mikael Lustig was outstanding, hopefully his critics will given him a break.
Tom Rogic was outstanding, so too was Callum McGregor when he dropped back into the deeper role to replace Kouassi who hurt himself when falling awkwardly and had his crown jewels handled by the nasty Hearts forward McLean who should have been sent off on two occasions.
The first half finished goalless, one Sinclair shot was all that was worth noting and a penalty claim when Tierney was taken late inside the box. Presumably Willie Collum followed the ball so missed the infringement. It was a stonewaller.
Christie replaced Ntcham at the internal and that was the decisive tactical change of the match. The player who excelled at Aberdeen during his loan spell had his finest 45 minutes in a Celtic shift and must surely have convinced Brendan Rodgers to get him signed up for a new contract.
Christie was outstanding. He won the penalty on 53 minutes after confidence began to surge through the Celtic attack, with Scotty Sinclair heavily involved. If Craig Levein reckons that the penalty was soft then there were at least two stonewallers turned down today.
Scotty Sinclair stepped forward to take the spot kick and sent the keeper the wrong way to give Celtic a well deserved lead. The game changed completely with the goal as Hearts had to come out. That allowed Celtic to surge forward time and time again and after Christie got a shot away in 66 minutes the keeper’s misfortune was James Forrest’s delight as he swept the gift into an empty net to decide the tie.
Christie added a third, the best of the lot, with a stunning strike on 72 minutes, and the Celtic fans brought their world famous celebrations to the home of Scottish rugby. As they turne their backs to do the huddle the Jam Tarts headed in their droves for the exits.
How Edouard never scored today is a mystery. Sinclair should have had a second, Forrest had several efforts, Tierney nearly scored a few – it was all Celtic.
Next week Hearts have to travel though to Parkhead. They will not be looking forward to it.
The Celtic Star Man of the Match – Ryan Christie.
