Celtic booked their place in the 2023 Scottish Cup final after a tense 1-0 victory over Rangers at Hampden Park.
Jota was the match-winner for the Hoops, heading home from inside the six-yard box just three minutes before half-time, with Ange Postecoglou’s side now set to play Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the first weekend of June as the hunt for the treble continues.
A 50/50 split in the crowd meant there was plenty of colour and noise on either side of Hampden Park and as the teams headed out for kick-off, they were greeted with a wall of smoke and passion, with a sea of green and white shirts on show in the Celtic side.
Once the smoke had passed, having delayed kick-off for a few minutes, it was down to business and Celtic had to be switched on inside the opening 20 seconds as Nicolas Raskin had a shot deflected just wide for a corner.
The opening 10 minutes were a cagey affair, with the Hoops’ backline having to deal with a raft of aerial balls forward, but once Celtic got a hold of the ball the possession and composure followed.
Half-chances came and went for either side, but it was Allan McGregor who was the first to be tested on 27 minutes when Alistair Johnston let rip from 20 yards, his shot stinging the keeper’s hands.
Jota then had an almost perfect opportunity to open the scoring on 39 minutes as he was picked out by Daizen Maeda’s cross from the left, but the ball just slipped under the Portuguese winger’s feet when he was in acres of space at the back post.
But just three minutes after that and the same combination came up with the opening goal for Celtic.
This time on the right wing, Maeda pounced on a loose ball as the Rangers team completely fell asleep, nicking in ahead of Borna Barisic.
Maeda then sent the perfect ball to the back post for the unmarked Jota, who had evaded James Tavernier and he headed home from inside the six-yard box.
Looking to make amends, Rangers came out into the second-half on the front foot and had a big chance inside the opening five minutes when Fashion Sakala poked a shot on goal, but Carter-Vickers was the hero, flinging his body in front of the ball before it could reach the line.
Still, Rangers couldn’t sleep on the Celtic attack and Kyogo almost made it 2-0 on 57 minutes, but his first-time shot from 20 yards out was just tipped behind by McGregor.
Hart had to make a similar save three minutes later from Scott Arfield, but it was Kyogo again who went close from distance on the 63rd minute as he arrowed a shot just the wrong side of the post from 25 yards out.
It was end to end at this stage and a minute later Rangers had their best opportunity, with Tavernier shooting from the edge of the box and seeing his shot hit the inside left-post, with the ball bouncing to Sakala who steered a shot into the side netting with Hart still on the ground.
Celtic had to continue to put their bodies on the line as Rangers continued to fire balls into the box, with Hart a dominant figure coming out to punch and clear and showcase his experience.
The Hoops knew a second goal would settle any nerves and they did continue to try and test the Rangers goal, with Carl Starfelt going close with a couple of corners after Maeda had a shot deflected on the 78th minute from inside the box.
It would continue to be a tight and tense closing stage to the match but as the full-time whistle blew it was Celtic who deservedly booked their place in the Scottish Cup final, with a date in the diary for June 3rd against Inverness.
