Celtic cruised into the Scottish Cup final with a dominant 5-0 victory over St Johnstone at Hampden Park, setting up a clash with Aberdeen next month at the national stadium.
Brendan Rodgers’ side started on the front foot and dominated possession early on, though they struggled to convert pressure into goals during the opening quarter of an hour. James Forrest looked lively, twice dragging shots wide, while Callum McGregor’s long-range effort was easily saved by Andrew Fisher in the Saints goal.
Celtic’s pressure finally paid off in the 34th minute. Reo Hatate teed up McGregor, who drilled a low shot into the bottom left corner to break the deadlock. Just minutes later, the Hoops doubled their lead when McGregor turned provider, playing in Daizen Maeda, who slotted clinically into the far corner.
A third goal arrived before half time, as Liam Scales released Hatate down the left, and the midfielder’s low cross was met by Adam Idah for a simple finish from close range. Remarkably, Celtic weren’t done yet—deep into first-half injury time, Hatate again provided the assist as Maeda bagged his second and Celtic’s fourth.
St Johnstone thought they had pulled a goal back early in the second half through a thunderbolt from Makenzie Kirk, but it was ruled out due to a foul in the buildup. Moments later, VAR spared them further embarrassment as a penalty awarded for a challenge on Forrest was overturned.
Any lingering hopes of a Saints fightback were extinguished in the 67th minute. Alastair Johnston’s deep cross was met by substitute Jota, who nodded home to complete the rout.
Celtic’s emphatic victory not only secures their return to Hampden for next month’s Scottish Cup final, but also moves them to within touching distance of further domestic glory. Just one point separates them from a 55th Scottish top-flight title, while the chance to lift a record-extending 43rd Scottish Cup now looms large.
They say you should never go back in football, but Brendan Rodgers is proving an exception to the rule. His second spell in charge at Celtic Park is fast approaching the heights of his first – and if his side can complete a domestic treble this season, he will make history as the only manager to win three trebles with the club.
St Johnstone: Fisher, Balodis, Sprangler, Douglas (Steven, 45), Curtis, Holt, Griffith, Carey (McPake, 68), Duke-McKenna (Ikpeazu, 75), Clark (Kirk, 50), Sidibeh (Kimpioka, 45).
Substitutes: Sinclair, Svedberg, Ikpeazu, Steven, McPake, Kirk, Kimpioka, Watt.
Celtic: Sinisalo, Johnston (Ralston, 77), Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, Hatate (Bernardo, 70), Engels (McCowan, 63), Forrest (Kuhn, 63), Idah (Jota, 63), Maeda.
Substitutes: Bain, Trusty, Jota, Kuhn, McCowan, Schlupp, Bernardo, Ralston.
Callum McFadden 