Laughably Easy: A Celtic-Rangers Match Report

Sunday April 23rd: Scottish Cup Semi-Final; Celtic 2 (McGregor 11' Sinclair (Pen) 51') Rangers 0

Celtic cruised into the Scottish Cup final with a very comfortable victory over Rangers. The margin of victory was only two goals but in reality the gulf was far more than that, as Celtic were never in any danger during the game.

Brendan Rodgers started Patrick Roberts instead of James Forrest in his one big team selection, with the rest of the team as expected. Celtic began the game immediately on the front foot, penning Rangers in and around their own box. The main early incident in the game was a dreadful early challenge by Andy Halliday on Patrick Roberts, which could well have been a red card but was only a yellow.

Celtic took the lead in the 11th minute, with a fine team goal. A long ball was played up to Dembele, and his pass found McGregor who passed the ball into the net from just outside the penalty box (1-0).

Celtic dictated the entirety of the first half but didn't create any real chances, indeed the most notable incident was Dembele pulling his hamstring as he slid after winning a corner and being replaced by Leigh Griffiths.

Rangers made two changes after half-time in an attempt to try and make the game competitive, but it was ended as a contest in the 51st minute, after Tavernier wiped out Griffiths in the penalty box. Sinclair stepped up and although Foderingham got a touch onto the post the ball ended up in the net and the Celts were 2-0 up (2-0).

Celtic went in for the kill now, and Griffiths, Boyata and Roberts all came close to adding the third goal.

After a while Celtic seemed content with our two goal lead and took our foot off the gas completely, which let Rangers have a couple of chances, but Gordon made a smart save to deny Miller then saved Dodoo's long range effort. Celtic responded to this via sub Tom Rogic, whose shot hit the outside of the post with Foderingham beaten.

The final whistle brought scenes of celebration, as the players and fans celebrated a comfortable victory which brought Celtic one game away from our first treble in sixteen years. There was no real failure amongst the players, with Scott Brown in particular having a fine game, as Celtic upped their game dramatically from our game against Rangers last month. All roads lead to Hampden on May 27th, as Celtic will go for the treble against Aberdeen.