Scottish Cup quarter-final
Monday, March 14, 2022
Tannadice Park, Dundee

DUNDEE UNITED…0

CELTIC… 3
(McGregor 12, Giakoumakis 58 & 88)

Celtic booked their place back at Hampden for the semi-final of the Scottish Cup after an impressive 3-0 victory away to Dundee United.

A first half strike from Callum McGregor set Ange Postecoglou’s side on their way to a last four spot at the National Stadium before Giorgos Giakouamakis’ double in the second half kept the dreams of a domestic treble alive.

It was a commanding performance throughout and the Celts almost got off to the perfect start inside three minutes as Daizen Maeda broke at pace. Only he will know if his ball forward was a cross or a shot, as it almost caught out the United keeper who was off his line, but the ball nestled on the top of the net.

However, just nine minutes later, there would be no doubt about McGregor’s finish as he put the Celts 1-0 up at Tannadice.

A short corner from the right caught the United defence out, as Matt O’Riley and James Forrest worked it to the captain on the edge of the area in acres of space, and his low drive took a deflection and nestled into the bottom left corner for his fourth goal of the season.

There was a real purpose to Celtic’s play in these early stages as they looked to try and put the cup contest out of sight in the first half. On 35 minutes they thought they had firmly put one foot into the semi-final as Maeda had the ball in the back of the net.

Terrific link-up play from Forrest and Juranovic played the Croatian down the right-wing and he fed the ball across for Giakmouakis who just couldn’t find the right contact. The ball was bundled in by Maeda at the back post, but the referee pulled it back for a handball in the build-up from the Greek striker.

Not letting that disappointment affect them, McGregor was inches away from adding his second just a minute later, just missing the top left corner with his effort from the edge of the box after a fantastic advancing run.

With the referee seconds away from blowing for a half-time, another corner from Celtic carved a great scoring opportunity, as the ball dropped to Cameron Carter-Vickers in the area and his volley was blocked by a United body when it looked to be heading for the back of the net.

Giakoumakis at the double as Celts cruise into Scottish Cup semi-final