Rangers knocked bitter Glasgow rivals Celtic out of the sem-finals of the Scottish Cup at Hampden Park by claiming a 5-4 penalty victory after the game had ended 2-2.
Advertisement
Tomas Rogic kept Celtic’s cup dreams alive as the Hoops came from behind for a second time in the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.
The semifinal, locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes and 2-2 after extra time, was a taste of what’s to come next season when the so-called “Old Firm” rivalry resumes in the Scottish Premiership after four years.
“We had one past year, which on our part was a let-down, so we want to make sure that this season it is a far closer contest”.
Celtic manager Ronny Deila says his main goal is to win the title. Our quality has been evident, individually we have been strong and we deserve to be where we are in the league. “I think we were drawn against Rangers in November and I didn’t hear about any other games until we played them in February”.
An Old Firm match had never been decided by a penalty shootout in a major competition, but that changed after 120 minutes of intense football. “They were sitting back and sitting deep so the fact we outplayed them is fantastic given we are a side that was built to win the Championship”.
“I am very disappointed we lost the match but I am not satisfied with our performance”. “Rangers fans will understand that, but we have been in good form this season”.
Former Celtic striker Kenny Miller had put the Gers in front early on before Erik Sviatchenko levelled the tie shortly after the half time break.
Barrie McKay restored Rangers advantage in the 96th minute and Australian worldwide Tom Rogic levelled matters 10 minutes later before the Socceroo star missed the decisive spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out.
Nine men aged between 18 and 56 were arrested at the game and will be reported to the procurator fiscal for “minor public order offences” such as breach of the peace, sectarian singing and pitch incursion, police said.
“They know it’s been a tough time over the 15, 16 months when you’re out injured and nothing’s really happening so it’s nice for them as well”.
Advertisement
“Of course they have improved and they are the second largest budget in the country so of course they will have pressure on them to perform”.
