HEARTS v CELTIC and Aberdeen v The Rangers is the draw for the Betfred Cup semi-finals after tonight’s three games.
THERE was major drama late on at McDiarmid Park this evening as Celtic deservedly secured their place in the Betfred Cup semi-final at Hampden next month.
It was a frustrating night in Perth for the Cup holders who are joined in the semi-finals with Aberdeen, Hearts and Rangers.
Leigh Griffiths had a point blank header saved by Saints keeper Clark and Callum McGregor should have hit the target just before the interval in what was a frustrating first half. It was all Celtic with the home side happy to sit in deep and frustrate the Celtic players. It certainly went according to plan for Tommy Wright’s side.
The half-time team talk must have been memorable because the Celtic players upped the intensity at the re-start and they bombarded the Saints goal with effort after effort.
McGregor, Ntcham, Griffiths and Boyata all had notable efforts but bad luck, poor finishing or good goalkeeping kept the scoresheet blank.
Both McGregor and Griffiths should have had two a piece but had fluffed their chances but it was third time lucky for the on-form Celtic striker with 8 minutes left on the clock.
Tom Rogic did well to send Kieran Tierney away down the left and James Forrest was involved in the challenge from the cross. The loose ball fell to the Celtic predator Leigh Griffiths who took a touch to open the space before stroking the ball into the bottom corner of the St Johnstone goal.
Griffiths ran all the way to the touchline to celebrate with his manager.
But the Celtic manager was less than happy minutes later when Dedryck Boyata raged at the referee John Beaton after the referee failed to award a free kick. Boyata kept at it and yellow turned to a straight red.
Scott Bain nearly sold the jerseys in the final seconds but thankfully Celtic survived.
Man of the Match – Leigh Griffiths
