Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic go into this Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final knowing that a win against Inverness CT will deliver a World Record amount of Trebles. Having defeated Greenock Morton in the Fourth Round, the Celts were handed a tough draw against Hearts at Tynecastle.
Celtic, buoyed on by a full Roseburn Stand – who were covered by a colourful mosaic of smoke as the players came out, were relentless from the get-go. Reo Hatate stung the palms of Zander Clark with a powerful effort and minutes later, the ex-St Johnstone keeper was picking the ball out of the net.
Jota made a fine run down the right hand side, before cutting back for Aaron Mooy to smash the ball into the net. It was a good finish by the Australian, who tucked the ball away with no mistake.
Hearts made a rare venture forward and Sibbick forced a terrific double save from Celtic No.1, Joe Hart. Apart from that, Hart and the Celtic defence were comfortable.
Andy Halliday should have been penalised for a foul on Ally Johnston in the box but both Kevin Clancy and VAR Official Wullie Collum saw nothing untoward and it was not checked. Bizarrely.
Celtic started the half with a goal and they bookmarked the first 45 with another goal with Kyogo’s delicious effort. Johnston’s cross was attacked at the front post by the Japanese striker, who’s cute backheel finish left Clark with no chance.
Into the second half, Celtic were in control and completed the scoring through Cameron Carter-Vickers. After Nathaniel Atkinson’s vicious tackle resulted in a booking and free-kick, the Amercian Internationalist rose to meet a Matt O’Riley cross. The central defender, who was immense at the back, enjoyed the goal and took the acclaim of the supporters behind the goal.
Celtic: Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt (Kobayashi ’45), Taylor; McGregor, Mooy (O’Riley ’77), Hatate (Iwata ’82); Jota, Kyogo (Oh ’77), Haksabanovic (’59).
Next up for the Treble-chasing Celts was a trip to Hampden and Rangers.
