Celtic thump Dons to reach final

2011-04-18 01:30:53

Celtic will face Motherwell in the Scottish Cup final after comfortably beating semi-final opponents Aberdeen.

Anthony Stokes had a penalty saved by Dons goalkeeper Jamie Langfield following Andrew Considine's red card for the Pittodrie side.

Charlie Mulgrew's free-kick put Celtic ahead after the break and Joe Ledley's shot doubled their advantage.

Kris Commons converted Celtic's second spot-kick and substitute Shaun Maloney tapped home the fourth on 84 minutes.

With Neil Lennon's side chasing the Scottish Premier League title, Celtic remain in contention for a domestic double and will return to Hampden to face Motherwell, 3-0 victors over St Johnstone in Saturday's semi-final, on 21 May.

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// Considine (far right) saw red after 18 minutes

Aberdeen could have taken the lead when Rob Milsom's superb chip into the box found Chris Maguire but the striker, who was now leading the line on his own, headed into the arms of Forster.

The depleted Dons were coming under more and more pressure as Celtic shelled crosses into the box but the defence were resolute with their clearances.

And Steven Smith, a pre-match fitness doubt, made a crucial intervention at the back post to block Stokes' goalbound shot.

Stokes was put through by Hooper at the start of the second but the striker took too long to get his shot away and Langfield smothered the effort.

But Aberdeen's resistance was broken in the 49th mintue when Mulgrew's free-kick missed everyone who was waiting in the box and bounced past the despairing dive of Langfield.

Smith made another timely block on a Stokes shot as Celtic pressed for a second.

Aberdeen had the ball in the net when Magennis headed on a long ball towards Maguire and neither he nor Forster appeared to get a touch as the ball bounced over the line.

However, the offside flag had been raised against the Dons striker.

And within seconds Celtic had doubled their lead as Stokes' low cross found Ledley on the run and the Welshman turned the ball past Langfield from inside the box.

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