SPFL Reserve Cup
Semi-final
Lennoxtown Training Centre
Monday, February 24, 2020

CELTIC… 4
(Connell 18, Karamoko 45+2 & 65, Klimala 51)

HIBERNIAN… 1
(Gullan 64)

CELTIC cruised into the Reserve Cup final with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Hibernian at the Lennoxtown Training Centre today (Monday).

Karamoko Dembele hit a double for the Hoops, while Luca Connell and Patryk Klimala were both on the scoresheet to set up a final against Aberdeen, who defeated Motherwell 3-1 in the other semi-final today.

It was a cagey opening to the game, with Celtic having the first chance after 11 minutes, though Hatem Elhamed’s header from a corner was comfortably held by the Hibs goalkeeper.

However, on 18 minutes, Tommy McIntyre’s side got the breakthrough. Daniel Church did well to win a free-kick for the Hoops, and from the set-piece, Luca Connell connected with Daniel Arzani’s cross to steer the ball into the net, with the aid of a deflection.

Hibs tried to force their way back into the game, and they had chances from Steven Bradley and Josh Campbell that both went narrowly wide while, for Celtic, Klimala came close with a chip over the keeper that was just off target.

However, as the game headed towards half-time, it was the Hoops who pushed forward in search of a second goal, and it duly came in the second added minute when Karamoko fired in a powerful shot that went into the net off the underside of the bar to make it 2-0 at the break.

And it didn’t take long for the Celtic reserves to extend their lead in the second half as Patryk Klimala scored his first goal for the Hoops on 51 minutes with a cool finish, lifting the ball over Hibs keeper, Adam Bogdan.

And Klimala came close to his second of the afternoon just eight minutes later, but this time Bogdan denied him, blocking the shot with his foot.

Hibernian reduced the deficit just after the hour mark when Jamie Gullan slotted the ball home, but within 60 seconds, it was 4-1 to the Hoops. Karamoko drove past a number of Hibs players before smashing home a powerful shot.

Brody Paterson, on as a substitute for Elhamed, came close to a goal on 70 minutes, but his powerful effort was touched on to the post by the keeper before it was scrambled away.

And a disappointing afternoon for Hibs got worse in the last minute when Innes Murray was red-carded for a cynical challenge on Barry Coffey.

Now, Celtic’s reserve side can look forward to a cup final against Aberdeen and the chance to lift some silverware.

CELTIC: Hughes, Elhamed (Paterson 62), Church, Hjelde, Welsh, Soro (Coffey 76), Karamoko, Connell (McInroy 62), Klimala, Henderson (Burt 80), Arzani (Oko-Flex 80).
Subs: Angelini, McGrath

Karamoko at the double as Celtic reserves book cup final place