2013-04-14: Celtic 4-3 Dundee Utd, Scottish Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 2012 – 2013

Trivia

• Scottish Cup 2012-13 Semi-final.
• Extra Time played, 2-2 half-time, 3-3 full time.
• Hibs through in other semi after extraordinary win over Falkirk. Three down and Hibs missed a penalty looked like it was all over. Then three goals to take to extra time and a screamer of a winner to take them to the final for second year running.
• Celtic restate their commitment to league structure reform to 12 12 18 whilst others falter, and appears it is all going belly up.
• Margaret Thatcher, radical ex Tory Prime Minister who brought out very strong views from many, passed away on 8 April. Coincidence that next Celtic game was v Dundee Utd as she attended Celtic v Dundee Utd Scottish Cup final in 1988. Not a popular figure in Scotland or at left leaning Celtic.
• Lots of Sevco shenanigans, lots of financial dodginess. Old owner Craig Whyte reappears claiming lots of things putting everything up in the air. All unravelling very fast.
• On the 10th April police carried out raids on domestic & business premises in relation to the takeover of Rangers.
• Sevco chairman Charles Green states he refers to his former Pakistani colleague on his board as ‘my Paki friend’. Pathetic racist and crude. Sadly press glossed over it initially but overall response from them wasn’t strong enough, and Green gave a belated stooge apology. He kept his job in charge incredibly.

Review

(SacredHoops of KDS forum)
Good game for a neutral.

I thought Commons (POTY by some distance for me), Forrest and Izzy had good games. Commons’ first was a peach, a bit fortunate with the second but then unlucky not to get a third. He’s the bravest player in the side, he’ll always try and play football and create even when others around him are hiding. I think he brings the best out of Izzy too. Forrest went quiet for a spell but he’s been out for a month, and he gave his all for all 120 minutes He’s always dangerous. For those saying we should sign Mackay-Steven, Forrest would be getting no end of abuse if he did the disappearing act Mackay-Steven did for most of the second half and extra time.

The Mulgrew, Ledley and Wanyama midfield trio didn’t work. Mulgrew had a stinker until he moved back to centre half, where he did the basics well, competed well against Daly and moved the ball on nicely, Ledley and Wanyama – good god. For a player whose work rate and stamina are often cited as his strength I thought Ledley looked woefully unfit. Willo Flood outmuscled him several times and he and Wanyama were shocking for letting their man just run off them into space. Towards the end of the first half Dundee Utd had a chance that Wilson blocked out of play in the end and during the build up Dundee Utd players ran off Mulgrew, Ledley and Wanyama into acres of space way too easily. We defended like heroes in two games against Barcelona, why do we look so clueless against sides like Dundee Utd? Wanyama looks like he’s already moved on from Celtic. I thought he looked half-hearted in challenges and his passing was dreadful. No wonder Lustig went off injured the number of hospital balls Wanyama was feeding him.

Hooper continues his poor form, though I thought he put in more effort than usual, and being isolated up front (or in the hole for a spell, don’t know what the script was at all to be honest) didn’t help. He was never lightning but he used to have a burst of pace to get in front of the defender, now he just looks a big fat eff. If he’s being sold we need to start giving players whose hearts are in it the chance – his recent form doesn’t demand a start every week. Stokes took his goal well but I thought he offered little during the time he was on, and I’ve no idea what Samaras was all about – when we needed a fresh pair of legs and someone to take the pressure off the defence he managed to look the most tired and unfit player on the pitch. Bizarre.

That’s much more negative that I meant as I actually enjoyed the game, but we have some number of players that need a rocket up their arse or shown the door for next season.

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Stats

Dundee United Celtic
Possession
56% 44%
150mins

Shots
14 22

On target
11 11

Corners
5 4

Fouls
18 13

Articles

Dundee Utd 3-4 Celtic (aet): Stokes clinches win

The Scotsman

Published on Sunday 14 April 2013 15:29

ANTHONY Stokes’ dramatic extra-time winner against Dundee United at Hampden booked Celtic’s William Hill Scottish Cup final date with Hibernian on May 26.

Dundee United: Mackay Steven 24; Daly 30, 71.

Celtic: Commons 2, 60; Wanyama 31; Stokes 105.

Bookings: Flood, Millar, Armstrong (Dundee United), Wanyama, Kayal (Celtic)

Referee: Craig Thomson

In a thrilling encounter where both teams swapped the lead, Celtic midfielder Kris Commons and United skipper Jon Daly grabbed doubles with goals from Tannadice winger Gary Mackay-Steven and Victor Wanyama ensuring 30 added minutes.

However, in the 104th minute Stokes, on for Mikael Lustig in the second half, headed in a James Forrest cross to ensure the Hoops will return to the national stadium at the end of the month hoping to complete a domestic double, their Clydesdale Bank Premier League title all but clinched.

Remarkably, Hampden witnessed its second 4-3 semi-final in two days following Hibs’ injury-time win over Irn-Bru First Division Falkirk yesterday.

It was asking a lot for both sides to live up to that match but that’s exactly what they did.

The game was less than two minutes old when Commons picked up the ball from Victor Wanyama and eased past United midfielder Marc Millar before lashing the ball from 25 yards past Radoslaw Cierzniak.

The Parkhead side, while looking nervy at the back, should have doubled their lead in the 20th minute when Emilio Izaguirre stood a cross up at the back post for fellow full-back Lustig but his header from inside the six-yard box hit the post and John Rankin cleared the ball to safety.

Celtic paid for that miss three minutes later after defender Kelvin Wilson failed to cut out a long ball, handing possession to Daly.

The Irishman played Mackay-Steven down the right channel and, with the Hoops defence posted missing, he played an elongated one-two with teenager Ryan Gauld before bending a shot past Celtic keeper Fraser Forster from inside the box.

United’s second goal came when Izaguirre clumsily bundled Mackay-Steven to the ground on the right touchline.

When defender Barry Douglas’s in-swinging free-kick arrived at the near post Daly dipped his head amid a packed six-yard box to send the ball past Forster.

The Taysiders’ joy was short-lived, though, as just two minutes later Wanyama rose to bullet Izaguirre’s cross past Cierzniak, after Commons had set the Honduras international free down the left.

United responded positively again and a good move ended with Rankin’s goal-bound drive blocked for a corner by Wilson, a set-piece which came to nothing.

It was end-to-end stuff and both sides were entitled to the round of applause they received at the interval whistle.

The second half began with midfielder Joe Ledley heading a cross from Forrest over the bar, the Hoops winger back for the first time since March after recovering from a back complaint.

There was an inevitability about Celtic’s next goal which came in the 59th minute although it was a rather strange finish by Commons.

Izaguirre again raced up the left, taking a Wanyama pass and when his cross came into the middle the Scotland international did not appear to know too much about it as it bounced off his chest and trundled over the line with Cierzniak’s rescue attempt futile.

It was all Celtic by that point. In the 63rd minute, with the United defence stretched again, stopper Sean Dillon cleared Commons’ drive from 16 yards away from goal with Cierzniak beaten.

Celtic piled forward in numbers and in the 70th minute only good goalkeeping at his near post from the Tannadice keeper prevented Commons snatching his hat-trick after he nipped in to reach Gary Hooper’s cross from the right.

However, a minute later there was even more drama at the other end when the unmarked Daly looped a header from Mackay-Steven’s cross over Forster and in off the post.

The cup final place, once more, was up for grabs.

Lustig and Wanyama departed to be replaced by Stokes and Beram Kayal, the latter soon booked for a foul on Flood.

United withstood a late siege by Celtic, Cierzniak saving from Mulgrew, before Forrest’s effort was blocked by Dillon.

Just over 10 minutes into strength-sapping injury time saw Daly rattle the post with a header from a Douglas corner, with substitute Michael Gardyne, on for Gauld, failing to convert the rebound, before Cierzniak made another save, this time from Forrest.

Georgios Samaras replaced Commons just before the teams swapped ends again but it was Stokes who made the headlines when he headed Celtic in front from a Forrest cross.

The second part of injury-time saw United keeper Cierzniak make yet another save, this time from Samaras, with two minutes remaining but when the final whistle sounded, the Tannadice side were left with only the consolation of playing their part in a thrilling semi-final, while Celtic look forward to the showpiece finale to the season.

BBC
By Clive Lindsay BBC Sport at Hampden
Comments (122)

Celtic will meet Hibernian in the Scottish Cup final after beating Dundee United in the second seven-goal Hampden thriller within 24 hours.

Kris Commons gave Celtic an 83-second lead, but Gary Mackay-Steven levelled before Jon Daly headed United in front.

Victor Wanyama headed an immediate reply and Commons chested in to put Celtic ahead after the break.

Another Daly header took the game into extra-time, during which substitute Anthony Stokes nodded in the winner.

It not only keeps alive Celtic’s hopes of a league and cup double but ended a three-visit losing run at Hampden.
Play media

Interview – Celtic manager Neil Lennon

United can take heart from a performance that suggests they are becoming a thoughtful and elegant football team in recently-appointed manager Jackie McNamara’s own mould.

The question was not so much how United would cope without a prolific goalscorer like Johnny Russell, whose return from a broken ankle came just too late for the striker to even appear on the bench.

United had, after all, gone eight games without defeat during his absence.

It was more how the formation adopted to compensate would handle a Celtic side for which Scotland wingers Commons and James Forrest were passed fit to start.

The answer appeared to come after just over a minute of play when, with United’s three-man central midfield dragged to the right, Commons exploited the space to sidestep the desperately backtracking John Rankin and Willo Flood before blistering a 20-yard drive past goalkeeper Radoslaw Cierzniak.
Jon Daly scores for Dundee United against Celtic

Daly’s second headed goal forced extra-time

Thoughts of their 6-2 thumping at the hands of Celtic in their last meeting must have crossed the United players’ minds at that point, but they came back with admirable tenacity and no little skill.

Efe Ambrose blocked a Mark Millar drive off the line after Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster conceded an indirect free-kick inside the penalty box and Kelvin Wilson had to clear with a diving header from in front of his own goal.

United’s defence was looking fragile to cross balls and Mikael Lustig should have extended Celtic’s lead instead of sending a close-range header off the inside of a post after being found by a precise Emilio Izaguirre delivery.

Just as United looked like capitulating under the pressure, Daly found space after Wilson unwisely lunged for a desperate Barry Douglas clearance.

Mackay-Steven and Ryan Gauld seemed to take an age over their little triangle around the exposed Ambrose, but the former eventually curled the ball past Forster.

A fired-up United had a good claim for a penalty turned down when Wanyama barged into the back of Mackay-Steven.

United’s second was not long in coming, though, as Daly bowed to flick home an inswinging Douglas free-kick.

Mackay-Steven and the goal provider appeared to switch off at the restart as the former allowed Izaguirre to cross and Wanyama rose handsomely above Douglas to level from eight yards.

United recovered to end the first half slightly on top, but – as with Hibs against Falkirk in the first semi-final – the team in green were the ones all go after the break.
Play media

Interview – Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara

Izaguirre was again the provider as the ball took a fortunate bounce off the chest of the unmarked Commons and in off the post.

Commons was then denied a hat-trick by Cierzniak’s foot at the front post.

However, just as it looked like Celtic would kill the game, Mackay-Steven’s cross found the head of Daly and the striker’s looping header sneaked in off the far upright.

United survived a late pounding of their goal to take the game into extra-time.

A Daly header came off the post and Michael Gardyne’s follow up was cleared off the line by Forster.

Forrest was denied by the goalkeeper’s legs, but the winger’s next act was to provide the cross from which Stokes powered in the winner.

Celtic’s greater class and experience edged the game, but the real winner was football itself after two brilliant last-four ties that blew away the doom and gloom that has been surrounding the Scottish game.

Live Text Commentary
120:00 +2:15

Extra time ends and the match is over.
118:45

Georgios Samaras produces a drilled right-footed shot from 20 yards. Save made by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
115:07

Direct free kick taken by Emilio Izaguirre.
115:07 Booking

Booking The referee shows Stuart Armstrong a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
115:00

Unfair challenge on Georgios Samaras by Stuart Armstrong results in a free kick.
114:33

Free kick awarded for a foul by Efe Ambrose on Rory Boulding. Barry Douglas takes the direct free kick.
111:03

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gary Hooper by Willo Flood. Direct free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
109:25

Unfair challenge on Willo Flood by Georgios Samaras results in a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Barry Douglas from right wing.
108:24

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Emilio Izaguirre by Rory Boulding. Direct free kick taken by Fraser Forster.
106:54 Substitution

Substitution Rory Boulding comes on in place of John Rankin.
105:01

The game restarts for the second half of extra time.
103:01

Assist by James Forrest.
103:01 Goal scored

Goal – Anthony Stokes – Dundee U 3 – 4 Celtic Anthony Stokes finds the net with a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Dundee Utd 3-4 Celtic.
101:47

Jon Daly challenges Joe Ledley unfairly and gives away a free kick. Kelvin Wilson restarts play with the free kick.
101:47 Substitution

Substitution Georgios Samaras on for Kris Commons.
101:47

James Forrest takes a shot. Radoslaw Cierzniak makes a save. Joe Ledley has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.
99:09

Michael Gardyne takes a shot. Blocked by Charlie Mulgrew. Outswinging corner taken by Barry Douglas from the left by-line, Headed effort from inside the area by Jon Daly hits the post. Michael Gardyne takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster.
96:59

Michael Gardyne takes a shot from inside the box clearing the bar. The referee blows for offside against Jon Daly. Free kick taken by Kelvin Wilson.
93:44

Joe Ledley gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Willo Flood. Radoslaw Cierzniak takes the direct free kick.
91:34

Michael Gardyne takes a shot. Save made by Fraser Forster.
90:00 +2:50

Normal time is of over and the game goes into extra time.
90:00 +1:05

Shot by Kris Commons. Radoslaw Cierzniak makes a save. Charlie Mulgrew takes a shot. Save made by Radoslaw Cierzniak. Effort from the edge of the area by Anthony Stokes goes wide of the right-hand post.
89:39

Corner taken by Kris Commons from the right by-line.
88:59

The referee blows for offside. Fraser Forster takes the free kick.
85:12

Michael Gardyne is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.
83:39

Kelvin Wilson takes the direct free kick.
83:39 Substitution

Substitution (Dundee Utd) makes a substitution, with Michael Gardyne coming on for Ryan Gauld.
83:39

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Beram Kayal by Ryan Gauld.
83:19

Effort on goal by Gary Mackay-Steven from 20 yards. Save by Fraser Forster.
82:05

Direct free kick taken by Barry Douglas.
82:05 Booking

Booking Beram Kayal is shown a yellow card.
81:27

Beram Kayal challenges Willo Flood unfairly and gives away a free kick.
77:45

Barry Douglas challenges Efe Ambrose unfairly and gives away a free kick. Kelvin Wilson takes the direct free kick.
76:15 Substitution

Substitution Anthony Stokes replaces Mikael Lustig.
76:15 Substitution

Substitution Victor Wanyama leaves the field to be replaced by Beram Kayal.
72:35

Unfair challenge on Mikael Lustig by Gary Mackay-Steven results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Mikael Lustig.
72:10

Jon Daly concedes a free kick for a foul on Kelvin Wilson. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.
70:50

Assist on the goal came from Gary Mackay-Steven.
70:50 Goal scored

Goal – Jon Daly – Dundee U 3 – 3 Celtic Jon Daly finds the back of the net with a headed goal from deep inside the penalty area. Dundee Utd 3-3 Celtic.
69:41

Kris Commons takes a shot. Barry Douglas gets a block in. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Kris Commons from the right by-line, Headed effort on goal by Charlie Mulgrew from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the goal.
69:01

Fraser Forster takes the direct free kick.
69:01 Booking

Booking Willo Flood receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.
68:56

Joe Ledley fouled by Willo Flood, the ref awards a free kick.
68:19

Barry Douglas restarts play with the free kick.
68:19 Booking

Booking Victor Wanyama receives a yellow card.
68:13

Unfair challenge on Barry Douglas by Victor Wanyama results in a free kick.
66:29

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jon Daly on Kelvin Wilson. Fraser Forster takes the free kick.
65:30

Ryan Gauld produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses right.
63:48

Victor Wanyama takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.
62:18 Substitution

Substitution Mark Millar leaves the field to be replaced by Stuart Armstrong.
59:47

The assist for the goal came from Emilio Izaguirre.
59:47 Goal scored

Goal – Kris Commons – Dundee U 2 – 3 Celtic A goal is scored by Kris Commons from close in to the bottom right corner of the goal. Dundee Utd 2-3 Celtic.
59:23

Charlie Mulgrew fouled by Gary Mackay-Steven, the ref awards a free kick. Kelvin Wilson takes the free kick.
58:02

A cross is delivered by Kris Commons, Headed effort from close range by Charlie Mulgrew goes wide left of the goal.
58:02 Booking

Booking Booking for Mark Millar for unsporting behaviour.
57:55

Mark Millar challenges James Forrest unfairly and gives away a free kick.
56:28

Kris Commons fouled by Willo Flood, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew. Charlie Mulgrew takes a shot. Save made by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
55:39

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jon Daly on Mikael Lustig. Mikael Lustig takes the free kick.
54:30

Keith Watson concedes a free kick for a foul on Joe Ledley. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew.
51:33

Corner from right by-line taken by Kris Commons.
50:07

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Barry Douglas.
48:50

Unfair challenge on Sean Dillon by Gary Hooper results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
46:19

Header from deep inside the area by Joe Ledley goes over the bar.
45:01

The second half begins.
45:00 +0:16 Half time

Half Time It is the end of the first-half.
43:35

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gary Mackay-Steven by Kris Commons. Gary Mackay-Steven takes the direct free kick.
42:46

Gary Mackay-Steven gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kelvin Wilson. Fraser Forster takes the direct free kick.
40:57

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Willo Flood by Gary Hooper. Direct free kick taken by Barry Douglas.
38:58

Barry Douglas takes the inswinging corner, clearance made by Victor Wanyama.
37:14

Free kick awarded for a foul by Victor Wanyama on Willo Flood. Free kick taken by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
32:26

John Rankin takes a shot. Blocked by Kelvin Wilson. Corner taken by Barry Douglas.
30:50

The assist for the goal came from Emilio Izaguirre.
30:50 Goal scored

Goal – Victor Wanyama – Dundee U 2 – 2 Celtic Victor Wanyama finds the net with a headed goal from close range. Dundee Utd 2-2 Celtic.
29:35

Assist by Barry Douglas.
29:35 Goal scored

Goal – Jon Daly – Dundee U 2 – 1 Celtic Jon Daly grabs a headed goal from close in. Dundee Utd 2-1 Celtic.
28:56

Emilio Izaguirre concedes a free kick for a foul on Gary Mackay-Steven. Centre by Barry Douglas,
27:24

A cross is delivered by Emilio Izaguirre, clearance made by Sean Dillon.
25:40

Keith Watson delivers the ball, save made by Fraser Forster.
24:47

Unfair challenge on Barry Douglas by Mikael Lustig results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Barry Douglas.
23:10

The assist for the goal came from Ryan Gauld.
23:10 Goal scored

Goal – Gary Mackay-Steven – Dundee U 1 – 1 Celtic Gary Mackay-Steven gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Dundee Utd 1-1 Celtic.
22:03

John Rankin gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mikael Lustig. Direct free kick taken by Mikael Lustig.
19:19

Header by Gary Hooper from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal. Header from close range by Mikael Lustig bounces off the post.
17:13

James Forrest produces a left-footed shot from just outside the penalty area that goes harmlessly over the target.
16:12

Charlie Mulgrew is adjudged to have handled the ball. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Barry Douglas, clearance by Charlie Mulgrew.
14:52

Shot from just outside the area by Charlie Mulgrew goes over the bar.
13:59

James Forrest crosses the ball, save made by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
13:11

Victor Wanyama has an effort at goal. Blocked by Willo Flood. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by James Forrest from the right by-line to the near post, Barry Douglas makes a clearance.
12:28

The ball is swung over by Mikael Lustig, clearance by Mark Millar.
10:58

Free kick awarded for a foul by Willo Flood on Kris Commons. Strike on goal comes in from Charlie Mulgrew from the free kick.
10:30

James Forrest produces a cross.
9:14

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Barry Douglas, Mikael Lustig manages to make a clearance.
8:08

Direct free kick taken by John Rankin. Keith Watson takes a shot. Blocked by Efe Ambrose. Willo Flood takes a shot. Blocked by Kelvin Wilson.
6:59

Keith Watson produces a cross.
4:47

John Rankin takes a shot. Blocked by Mikael Lustig.
3:22

Victor Wanyama concedes a free kick for a foul on John Rankin. Free kick taken by Barry Douglas.
1:23

Assist by Victor Wanyama.
1:23 Goal scored

Goal – Kris Commons – Dundee U 0 – 1 Celtic Kris Commons gets on the score sheet with a goal from outside the area to the top right corner of the goal. Dundee Utd 0-1 Celtic.
0:37

Charlie Mulgrew gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Keith Watson. John Souttar takes the free kick.
0:00

The referee starts the match.

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