Celtic 2-0 Aberdeen: Neil Lennon’s team 90 minutes from a triple triple

Celtic are 90 minutes away from a quadruple treble after beating Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final for their 35th consecutive national cup victory.

Aberdeen reached the tie after the break, but rarely seemed to deny Celtic a first win in five.

Pittodrie’s team have lost eight in a row against Celtic in Hampden.

Since 1992 they have not beaten the Glasgow team at the national stadium. Seven games, a 19-2 goal difference.

Celtic had not lost a cup tie since 2016. However, they came to Hampden under a cloud. Winless at four and nine points in the league, albeit with two games in hand.

It was a quick start from both sides. Twice in the first 10 minutes, Sam Cosgrove climbed higher for a header into the box, but he also failed to direct to goal.

Odsonne Edouard overcame Aberdeen’s defense, but goalkeeper Joe Lewis denied him twice with an instinctive double save.

Ryan Hedges then latched onto Scott Wright’s pass but took too long to shoot when he had the Celtic defense stretched out as the game spun from one end to the other.

A goal was approaching, and he arrived in spectacular style. Christie drove in, took a bunt out of the box and then threw a wonderful left-foot shot away from outstretched Lewis’ grip.

Celtic turned the screw and it was soon 2-0. Tom Rogic sent a looped ball to the back post for Elyounoussi to hit. A quarter of the game was over and the semi-final looked done and clean.

Aberdeen had a cry of penalty when Scott Brown stormed Cosgrove on a corner kick, but referee Don Robertson cautioned them both and ordered them to take the corner again.

Aberdeen’s main concern was that Celtic kept attacking them, with Lennon’s team determined to get a third to finish it off.

After Considine’s possession was stolen, Ross McCrorie had to challenge to save the goal to deny Elynoussi. Then Aberdeen broke with an opportunity of its own, but Cosgrove’s effort was weak.

But as the game progressed, Celtic seemed to have heavy legs after a recent busy schedule, and Aberdeen began to advance further.

Hedges and Lewis Ferguson failed to hit their mark with effort, and had a half-penalty yell as Marley Watkins fell under the challenge of Shane Duffy.

Matty Kennedy had a blocked shot as Aberdeen searched for the goal that would rekindle their cup hopes, but it never came, and their 30-year wait for a Scottish Cup win continues.

Man of the Match – Scott Brown

What did we learn?

Celtic had gone four without a win, but after energetic performances in the Europa League against AC Milan and Lille, they showed that they can still do it domestically.

Aberdeen has earned praise for their performances this season, but defensively they opened too easily and are seven goals conceded in their last three games.

What they say

Celtic coach Neil Lennon: “We played brilliant in the first half, outstanding and could have been more. That’s just the Thursday night follow-up. It’s hard for them to keep that up.

“They looked tired in the second half and that’s understandable, but it was a very complete performance. It’s another cup final and I can’t ask the players for more than that right now.”

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: “The best period of the team in the opening period won the game. In fact, we had some good moments to strike the first blow. If Sam Cosgrove had been a little more prepared for the game, he could have taken more opportunities. We had a lot of attack. players on the field, we try to be as positive as possible.

“We have played Celtic here quite often and Joe Lewis has made save after save after save. It was not that kind of game. It’s a brilliant moment and a moment where we are a bit lazy with our work it cost us today.”

Whats Next?

Celtic will return to Europa League action on Thursday when they host Sparta Prague (20:00 GMT), while Aberdeen will have a chance to advance third in the Premiership when they play at home to Hibernian on Friday (19:00 GMT). Four. Five).