:00:54. > :01:03.In Brandenburg. A raucous atmosphere -- welcome to Hampden Park. The
:01:04. > :01:13.second of the Scottish Cup semifinals. Analysis from Steven
:01:14. > :01:25.Thompson and Michael Stewart. , J from Willie Miller and Rob Maclean.
:01:26. > :01:36.Lustig and Boyata return. Patrick Roberts gets the nod to start ahead
:01:37. > :01:47.of James Forrest. Joe Garner comes back, Barry McKay and is John to
:01:48. > :01:53.Ralph dropped out. -- Toral. William Collum is in charge. When Pedro
:01:54. > :02:06.Caixinha Metz Brendan Rodgers. Celtic two games away from a treble.
:02:07. > :02:15.One step closer if they can maintain their upper hand over Rangers. Three
:02:16. > :02:19.wins and a draw so far and these two will go head again this weekend --
:02:20. > :02:44.next weekend for a sixth time. Bates sees his pass intercepted.
:02:45. > :02:48.Immediately, Celtic down the pitch. First corner kick inside the opening
:02:49. > :03:09.minute. Scott Sinclair delivers. The header
:03:10. > :03:14.from Moussa Dembele bouncing wide of target. A threat immediately from
:03:15. > :03:23.the first set piece of the game. A good chance. Should be doing better.
:03:24. > :03:38.Totally unmarked. That must be concerning for Rangers.
:03:39. > :03:58.A good block from similar pitch -- Jozo Simunovic.
:03:59. > :04:14.Long throw possibilities here. Bates and Wilson up for this. Lots of pace
:04:15. > :04:21.on that, Waghorn tries again. Celtic breaking with Roberts. He was taken
:04:22. > :04:28.out late, Advanta is played. Big opportunity. The shot from Callum
:04:29. > :04:41.McGregor was straight at Wes Foderingham. Excellent break and
:04:42. > :04:51.excellent -- what they chose, I am surprised. That challenge surely is
:04:52. > :05:01.controversial. William Collum has a card in his hand and presumably it
:05:02. > :05:07.is heading the way of Andy Halliday. I think he is fortunate it is only a
:05:08. > :05:15.yellow, early in the game. A vicious challenge nowhere near the ball. 40
:05:16. > :05:19.domestic matches unbeaten for Brendan Rodgers' team. Black
:05:20. > :06:01.armbands in memory of Armstrong. Great effort. Curling
:06:02. > :06:09.just wide of target. That is the problem is you get a Celtic to
:06:10. > :06:16.mushroom and space. Armstrong there. Not too far. Trying to find the far
:06:17. > :06:21.corner and it goes past the post. A couple of feet wide from Armstrong,
:06:22. > :06:29.wanting it to move more in the air, but had faltering troubled.
:06:30. > :06:40.The tactic from Rangers is to stay in the game as long as they possibly
:06:41. > :06:42.can. Long ball from Dembele, and Callum McGregor strokes in the
:06:43. > :06:50.opening goal of the second semifinal. Brilliant from Moser
:06:51. > :07:01.brilliance from Dembele and a clinical finish. Great play was the
:07:02. > :07:06.awful defending from Rangers. A long ball over the top. Superb first
:07:07. > :07:14.touch. Fantastic second, and what about that for a goal? . Confidence.
:07:15. > :07:27.All the composure you would look for in that sort of situation. He passed
:07:28. > :07:29.it wide of Wes Foderingham. Brendan Rodgers will be delighted with the
:07:30. > :07:51.start. Lovely skill forces in the corner.
:07:52. > :07:57.Good work from the right-hand side. Beerman is someone Celtic have to
:07:58. > :08:02.test in the early stages of this game. Patrick Roberts has been
:08:03. > :08:06.outstanding so far, very direct. That has been a problem for Beerman
:08:07. > :08:16.and he has to get closer. Stuart Armstrong with the corner
:08:17. > :08:30.kick and Moser Dembele up for the header.
:08:31. > :08:41.Robertson in the spotlight, the man who sent off Scott Brown last
:08:42. > :08:55.weekend and awarded Ross County a very dubious penalty after the Alex
:08:56. > :09:02.Schalk died. -- diving. He may have hurt himself there. He did so well
:09:03. > :09:19.to win the corner kick with a clever backheel. That is concerning for
:09:20. > :09:26.Celtic. He does not fancy. Does not look as though she will play any
:09:27. > :09:34.further part in the game, Moussa Dembele. Leigh Griffiths prepares
:09:35. > :09:45.for action as Moussa Dembele ayes action ends with the backheel.
:09:46. > :09:49.Sinclair booked in the corner kick. Undeterred by the fact they are down
:09:50. > :09:50.to ten men at the moment. Jozo Simunovic rising well for the
:09:51. > :10:00.header. He has been getting cold on the
:10:01. > :10:09.touchline waiting to come on. He will look to make his impact, having
:10:10. > :10:16.had so few chances of late. Brendan Rodgers would have hoped for a
:10:17. > :10:20.bigger Advantest and one goal considering the possession.
:10:21. > :10:29.I feel Rangers have gone out with that tactic in mind and will have to
:10:30. > :10:33.change it at some point. You cannot give the opposition this amount of
:10:34. > :10:46.time without putting them under pressure. Even down to ten men...
:10:47. > :10:48.That was late by Myles Beerman. Another wild lunge on Celtic pot
:10:49. > :11:09.danger man Patrick Roberts. Roberts has been excellent. The boot
:11:10. > :11:17.is high. Celtic will fancy another go before the interval.
:11:18. > :11:24.Myles Beerman saying there was no contact there. But he is treading a
:11:25. > :11:29.dangerous path having been booked a couple of minutes ago. Fortunate, I
:11:30. > :11:39.think, the youngster to get away with that. The referee had a...
:11:40. > :11:49.Leigh Griffiths looking for an immediate impact as he takes the
:11:50. > :11:57.free kick. Punched away by Fotheringham he thinks he can whip
:11:58. > :11:58.it into the near post. I thought the Rangers goalkeeper had it well
:11:59. > :12:07.covered. Beerman has to get every challenge
:12:08. > :12:16.right against Roberts. Top-quality performance from Callum
:12:17. > :12:42.McGregor. Kieran Tierney thought about the
:12:43. > :12:49.shot. Missed I Roberts. Ran the risk of Sinclair getting a toe on the end
:12:50. > :12:51.of this. It is an opportunity but he will be disappointed, Roberts, he
:12:52. > :13:09.did not make contact. Onto his left foot but always
:13:10. > :13:16.off-balance, Kenny Miller. Never a threat for Craig Gordon. Difficult
:13:17. > :13:26.for him even with his attributes. Well over the bar.
:13:27. > :13:37.Sardinia is marauding doing well to get their first -- James Tavernier.
:13:38. > :13:44.That is the strong part of his game, getting forward. He has done well
:13:45. > :13:49.defensively, not been tested to them. As the seconds ticked away,
:13:50. > :13:58.Rangers have a late opportunity for an equaliser. The last action of the
:13:59. > :14:11.first half. James Tavernier's long throw. A high boot. Only one go for
:14:12. > :14:22.Celtic to show for their superiority. They are running the
:14:23. > :14:34.show and ahead at half-time by 1-0. Two changes for Rangers. Joe Dodoo
:14:35. > :14:40.replacing Joe Garner upfront. And Barry McKay with Andy Halliday left
:14:41. > :14:57.indoors. One year ago, Rangers defeated
:14:58. > :15:06.Celtic on penalties in the Scottish Cup semifinals. Right now, that
:15:07. > :15:09.seems distant. Whatever reaction will Pedro Caixinha get from his
:15:10. > :15:13.team after making those two positive changes? A positive start from Kenny
:15:14. > :15:39.Miller. Floated in four Joe Dodoo but
:15:40. > :15:50.Michael Lustig in the way. Good work. And again, Michael Lustig was
:15:51. > :15:58.the barrier. The two why players playing further up the park, Barrie
:15:59. > :16:06.McKay setting up James Tavernier. Much more positive from Rangers.
:16:07. > :16:19.Long throw from Y con. Miller flicks it back. Bates was there. Boyata get
:16:20. > :16:27.it away. Griffis pointing to where he wants it. In he goes, down he
:16:28. > :16:40.goes, penalty given. Against James Tavernier and a yellow. Transfer
:16:41. > :16:43.Celtic to go two up. A classic counterattack and Leigh Griffiths
:16:44. > :16:50.getting there before James Tavernier. No doubt that it is a
:16:51. > :16:53.penalty. A little touch from Griffiths, James Tavernier has
:16:54. > :17:00.committed himself and William Collum has no option.
:17:01. > :17:11.A massive moment and Scott Sinclair. Great effort from Wes Foderingham
:17:12. > :17:18.getting his fingertips to it. Of the inside of the post. Rod Stewart
:17:19. > :17:28.leads the celebrations, and the 24th of the season for Sinclair. Wes
:17:29. > :17:32.Foderingham is so unlucky. His fingertips, almost touching it round
:17:33. > :17:40.the post. The inside of the upright and into the back of the net to give
:17:41. > :17:50.Celtic their second. There is the lunch from James Tavernier that
:17:51. > :17:58.lunge. He does not say no to that kind of opportunity, Scott Sinclair.
:17:59. > :18:10.Boyata loses out. Mackay for Miller but immediately the flag went up for
:18:11. > :18:20.offside. A painful blow for Rangers because they had started the second
:18:21. > :18:26.have so well. But that quick counterattack killed them. Oh, what
:18:27. > :18:32.an effort from Leigh Griffiths and another great save from Wes
:18:33. > :18:38.Foderingham. A long ball through again. The defence all over the
:18:39. > :18:49.place. Great touch from Griffiths, click the. -- fast feet and an
:18:50. > :18:55.excellent save. The Celtic fans are in party mood as Sinclair swings it
:18:56. > :19:03.in, Jozo Simunovic knocks it down and over the top from Boyata.
:19:04. > :19:13.Chances coming quickly as they look to kill the game off. Maybe Brendan
:19:14. > :19:17.Rodgers is better pleased with Don Robertson, the official who awarded
:19:18. > :19:28.at penalty and gave Ross County the spot kick after Alex Schalk's died
:19:29. > :19:40.last week. -- diving for the penalty.
:19:41. > :19:51.Left by Griffiths, cut out by Holt. Patrick Roberts, great effort, great
:19:52. > :19:58.save. Wes Foderingham denying Celtic at the moment.
:19:59. > :20:08.Top-class goalkeeping from Wes Foderingham. Celtic have the
:20:09. > :20:13.semifinal in the palm of their hands.
:20:14. > :20:28.I'm of the opportunity, Leigh Griffiths, grabbed at the second
:20:29. > :20:34.attempt by Wes Foderingham as Sinclair boasting. Opened up
:20:35. > :20:41.worryingly from a Rangers point of view as Griffiths cut inside.
:20:42. > :21:18.Rangers looking for a way to bring in the semifinal back to life. Let's
:21:19. > :21:34.Lustic was looking for it. That is Emerson Hyndman. That is Kenny
:21:35. > :21:38.Miller. And that is a Craig Gordon saved, not too many of them in this
:21:39. > :21:53.match. A real opportunity for Kenny Miller. Last Mac from cavalier.
:21:54. > :21:58.A store in the sunshine for Celtic as it has been all game long pretty
:21:59. > :22:08.much, untroubled. As they head for the Scottish Cup
:22:09. > :22:10.final. Long ball from James Tavernier, Flint and by Martyn
:22:11. > :22:20.Waghorn and too high from Kenny Miller. At old head sees the
:22:21. > :22:30.opportunity, looking for the goalkeeper off his line. He tries to
:22:31. > :22:56.Chippenham but over it's at. Finding room for the cross, it is
:22:57. > :23:01.Kenny Miller. Craig Gordon makes the save. He is screaming for a
:23:02. > :23:09.handball. Looking for a penalty. A great chance yet to get Rangers back
:23:10. > :23:11.into the game. Using all of his experience to create a little
:23:12. > :23:20.pockets of space there to get the strike off. The ball coming out, he
:23:21. > :23:21.is claiming its hit someone's hand but the referee having nothing to do
:23:22. > :23:38.with it. Never a penalty. James Tavernier tries to force his
:23:39. > :23:48.way through and wins the corner kick. Good attitude, always
:23:49. > :23:49.desperate to get forward and put the Celtic defence under pressure, never
:23:50. > :24:15.giving up the chase there. Miller had a swing at it. That is
:24:16. > :24:25.Wilson. Windass, James Tavernier, Martyn Waghorn, deflected. Away by
:24:26. > :24:30.Kieran Tierney. Celtic on the counter, Leigh Griffiths. What an
:24:31. > :24:36.opportunity to play in James Forrest. But now it is Barry Mackay.
:24:37. > :24:54.Plenty of options. Joe Dodoo has his shot blocked.
:24:55. > :25:03.Armstrong just prevents that going behind for a corner. A late for a --
:25:04. > :25:11.flurry from Rangers. Great counter attacking from Celtic. Rangers have
:25:12. > :25:12.to watch that they don't leave themselves exposed, but they have
:25:13. > :25:23.little option. 86 minutes on the clock, Martyn
:25:24. > :25:41.Waghorn's long throw. Scott Sinclair's challenge brushed
:25:42. > :26:03.aside, James Tavernier 's as is good and what a missed a
:26:04. > :26:10.Waghorn should be concentrating more on getting the header down. That was
:26:11. > :26:28.wasted. Jozo Simunovic with the header away.
:26:29. > :26:39.Leigh Griffiths out why to pick up possession, flooding forward, and
:26:40. > :26:46.needed a good touch from James Forrest that it did not get up.
:26:47. > :26:52.Needed a better touch from James Forrest, not long on the part. That
:26:53. > :27:03.is no excuse. He should have controlled it better. Plays with the
:27:04. > :27:13.head up, Leigh Griffiths, superb cross. It was on for the strike at
:27:14. > :27:19.goal but a poor first touch. 90 seconds left of the 90 minutes.
:27:20. > :27:54.A free kick given. The latest challenge by Windass.
:27:55. > :28:08.Tom Rogic, so close to number three. He is deadly they are from there.
:28:09. > :28:14.Fabulous first touch, he finds the space, pulls the trigger, and I'm
:28:15. > :28:29.lucky to have that come off the bottom of the post.
:28:30. > :28:42.Wilson, worrying moment for him. Just manages to get it clear. As for
:28:43. > :28:50.Joe Dodoo, on his left foot. Great strike. The flying Craig Gordon
:28:51. > :28:55.makes the save. Danny Wilson fabulous crossfield pass for Joe
:28:56. > :29:00.Dodoo. Takes the ball down and good save.
:29:01. > :29:14.The glancing header from Lustic gets that away from Joe Dodoo.
:29:15. > :29:26.Full-time at Hampden Park and Brendan Rodgers' Celtic take another
:29:27. > :29:31.step toward the trouble. In the Scottish Cup final, they will play
:29:32. > :29:36.Aberdeen. And that game separates them from a clean sweep of all of
:29:37. > :29:42.the big prizes in Scottish football. Callum McGregor scoring their first
:29:43. > :29:47.goal in the 11th minute. Scott Sinclair effectively wrap things up
:29:48. > :29:54.six minutes into the second half with his penalty, his 24th of the
:29:55. > :29:59.season, after Leigh Griffiths was fouled in the box. Even the loss of
:30:00. > :30:05.Moussa Dembele failed to derail Celtic in pursuit of their big
:30:06. > :30:11.ambition. Rangers had their second have chances, could not take them,
:30:12. > :30:17.and Celtic make their way back to hand for the Scottish Cup final.
:30:18. > :30:24.Winners here on firm day in Mount Florida by 2-0.
:30:25. > :30:29.I thought we were outstanding in general, studded with great
:30:30. > :30:33.composure and control and moved the ball quickly also credit to the
:30:34. > :30:40.staff here because the pitch was excellent, perfect for how we to
:30:41. > :30:43.play. We were really dominant in the first half in every aspect in terms
:30:44. > :30:48.of pressure and intensity and quality but in the main it was a
:30:49. > :30:56.real performance of dominance by the team. Defensively, offensively and
:30:57. > :31:02.there are areas we can improve but overall very satisfying. And more
:31:03. > :31:04.importantly the performance. A very professional performance from start
:31:05. > :31:09.to finish, we knew they would put pressure on us but we dealt with it
:31:10. > :31:14.well. We could have scored a couple more goals. It's a great feeling and
:31:15. > :31:18.for the fans as well. Everyone is delighted, one of the best team
:31:19. > :31:23.performances we have had all season also we are in the final now and
:31:24. > :31:27.hopefully we can get the cup. A hugely important victory for Celtic
:31:28. > :31:31.and the incredible season continues. How would you sum up the day for
:31:32. > :31:37.Brendan Rodgers and his team? Top drawer, you heard them, a fantastic
:31:38. > :31:41.performance. Question marks have been raised about how they have
:31:42. > :31:46.tapered off recently and if they would be able to hit the heights and
:31:47. > :31:50.they did that. Scott Sinclair said perhaps the best performance of the
:31:51. > :31:57.season collectively and I don't think he is far wrong. It was always
:31:58. > :32:02.going to be a big day for Pedro Caixinha and from the Rangers
:32:03. > :32:07.perspective, he felt they may be showed Celtic too much respect. What
:32:08. > :32:12.did you make of his Old Firm debut? It was tough, Celtic dominated and I
:32:13. > :32:16.put Rangers got it wrong tactically. The passing and movement from
:32:17. > :32:23.Selkirk was a joy to watch but Rangers sat back and watched it as
:32:24. > :32:29.well. -- from Celtic. Should this have been a red card? Absolutely, I
:32:30. > :32:33.can only presume it was so early that that was why Willie Collum did
:32:34. > :32:40.not give it. This was a worse challenge than Scott Brown's. We
:32:41. > :32:46.looked at this and he jumps into it at over 18 mph. And this was not
:32:47. > :32:51.great either. That could have been a borderline red card as well. And he
:32:52. > :32:55.does this in a couple of minutes. If it was a red card before, he got
:32:56. > :33:03.away with it and it should have been a second. Roberts caused them so
:33:04. > :33:06.many problems all day long. No doubt that Rangers were fortunate to have
:33:07. > :33:13.11 men on the park. Some confusion about their formation to begin with?
:33:14. > :33:19.Pedro Caixinha said it was a 4-4-2. He changed it but it didn't work. He
:33:20. > :33:23.doesn't have the personnel, Kenny Miller wide and Emerson Hyndman
:33:24. > :33:27.wide, no sitting midfield and he got it wrong and the first goal showed
:33:28. > :33:35.it. They did not have that sitting midfielder. Callum McGregor drifts
:33:36. > :33:39.into the position but the midfield is too Square and nobody is deeper
:33:40. > :33:45.and tracking the run of McGregor. When he get the other side, the
:33:46. > :33:50.recovery runs are atrocious and they don't get back and show any desire.
:33:51. > :34:01.It is magnificent from Dembele and a great finish. It is simple midfield
:34:02. > :34:07.tracking. It start about 15 yards. It ended up as 30. On this one they
:34:08. > :34:12.get caught on the counterattack and instead of dropping, Wes Foderingham
:34:13. > :34:18.should have been moving forward. He would have got it on the edge of the
:34:19. > :34:22.box. And that was the killer blow. The start of the second half,
:34:23. > :34:28.Rangers started OK but Celtic caught them on the counter. It was naive
:34:29. > :34:33.from Rangers because they overcommitted and were countered
:34:34. > :34:38.easy and it was game over at 2-0. Celtic showed so much quality, how
:34:39. > :34:43.far ahead of Rangers are they? No doubt that they stepped up and hit
:34:44. > :34:50.top gear. So much composure in tight areas. They were toying with Rangers
:34:51. > :34:55.at times. The thing I like about Celtic, in petition the back three,
:34:56. > :34:59.you have depth from Armstrong, penetration from McGregor, width
:35:00. > :35:04.from Roberts and the ballet and Scott Sinclair in the number nine
:35:05. > :35:09.position but they were so difficult to mark -- from Roberts and Dembele.
:35:10. > :35:14.Everybody else moves into position and they keep the balance and
:35:15. > :35:17.formation will stop you penetration from the wide players now and width
:35:18. > :35:23.from the full-backs and Armstrong is now giving you a forward player and
:35:24. > :35:29.Dembele is in the Centre forward position and it is so difficult to
:35:30. > :35:32.mark when you have guys constantly rotating but balancing the team.
:35:33. > :35:37.Again with a back three and it causes problems for Rangers, who to
:35:38. > :35:42.pick up. Good rotation in midfield against when it comes back to
:35:43. > :35:47.Simunovic, Kenny Miller gets picked off with the ball going in and they
:35:48. > :35:52.penetrate through the lines easily. It is simple things like this. You
:35:53. > :35:57.heard the comments from Pedro Caixinha, they wanted Lustig on the
:35:58. > :36:02.ball but because they have such good rotation, he plays like a right
:36:03. > :36:09.centre-half but recognises when there is space to step forward and
:36:10. > :36:14.he becomes an attacking full-back. And Dodoo is so far in, they are
:36:15. > :36:18.behind the defence and it is great from Leigh Griffiths with a
:36:19. > :36:24.wonderful Flick and it ends up with a strike. It epitomises where
:36:25. > :36:26.Brendan Rodgers is taking them, to a different level, they are so
:36:27. > :36:31.difficult to mark because the movement is so good and the passing
:36:32. > :36:36.is quick and they change things fluidly. They don't have a solid
:36:37. > :36:40.formation, it changes all the time. And in terms of Rangers, how many
:36:41. > :36:47.signings do they need to make in the summer and how much money to spend
:36:48. > :36:50.to get close to Celtic? A lot. I think in virtually every position to
:36:51. > :36:56.get closer. In forward areas suddenly and centre-half without a
:36:57. > :37:01.doubt. And in terms of Celtic, can they go through the season unbeaten
:37:02. > :37:05.and do the treble? The simple answer is yes to both of them. I don't
:37:06. > :37:12.think there is much more to be said. We can expand on that later! OK, to
:37:13. > :37:16.the first semifinal and holders Hibernian were hoping to extend
:37:17. > :37:20.their defence of the trophy to the final at Aberdeen were aiming to
:37:21. > :37:23.reach their second cup final of the season.
:37:24. > :37:35.COMMENTATOR: Expect tension and pressure and anxiety. The Scottish
:37:36. > :37:38.Cup holders against the club that wants to not only end what has been
:37:39. > :37:47.a dream year for them but a long wait for the trophy themselves. It
:37:48. > :37:52.is a Hibs team by and large that the expected with Marvin Bartley a
:37:53. > :37:56.no-brainer and he tends to feature when Neil Lennon wants to be more
:37:57. > :38:00.back Matej Vydra means Andrew Shinnie is on the bench and will not
:38:01. > :38:06.face his brother at the start anyway -- wants to be more pragmatic. John
:38:07. > :38:13.McGinn is one booking away from missing the final. Mark Reynolds
:38:14. > :38:18.replaces Anthony O'Connor and Niall McGinn is fit but on the bench. Ryan
:38:19. > :38:23.Christie, on loan from Selkirk, retained his place. Graeme Shinnie
:38:24. > :38:27.was indeed Caley Thistle team that was so is accessible here two years
:38:28. > :38:35.ago as the Dons look to reach their first cup final since 2000. David
:38:36. > :38:42.Gray ensured 11 months ago you would go down in Easter Road folklore. --
:38:43. > :38:47.he would go down. The first of this season's William Hill Scottish Cup
:38:48. > :38:50.filelist will be named this afternoon, Hibs against Aberdeen, to
:38:51. > :38:55.Scottish football had a great going head-to-head and in the opening
:38:56. > :38:58.minute that is an unbelievable start for the Dons! Adam Rooney gives
:38:59. > :39:05.Aberdeen the lead with just 12 seconds on the clock! John McGinn
:39:06. > :39:10.got caught on the ball and Aberdeen counter at pace. A mistake by Marvin
:39:11. > :39:13.Bartley, the defence was all over the place and what a composed finish
:39:14. > :39:20.so early from Adam Rooney. Unbelievable. Hibernian had barely
:39:21. > :39:24.taken their seats and the players were barely on the pitch but they
:39:25. > :39:32.are behind to Adam Rooney's 19th goal of the season.
:39:33. > :39:43.Christie has kept it in. Martziano held on for dear life. Excellent
:39:44. > :39:44.from Ryan Christie but poor from Marvin Bartley who gets rolled far
:39:45. > :39:59.too easily by Christie. A bit fortunate still to have the
:40:00. > :40:10.ball. Christie for McLean and it is clever. And Fyvie took McLean out.
:40:11. > :40:14.The first time lay off into Christie and he gets the return and it is a
:40:15. > :40:25.clear foul. Christie is sizing it up. He delivers and it has snuck in
:40:26. > :40:30.and it is 2-0! Ryan Christie scores from the free kick to justify his
:40:31. > :40:37.inclusion and Aberdeen are on the brink, the very brink of their first
:40:38. > :40:40.Scottish Cup final in 17 years. It has De Goede as a goalkeeping
:40:41. > :40:45.mistake that he gambles thinking it is going to go into the box -- it
:40:46. > :40:50.has to go down as a goalkeeping mistake. Christie knew what he was
:40:51. > :40:58.doing a brilliant from him but poor from Martziano. Joy for Derek
:40:59. > :41:01.McInnes and Aberdeen but serious heartache for Ofir Martziano who
:41:02. > :41:06.shakes his head and rightly so, outfoxed by Christie at his near
:41:07. > :41:16.post. As his dad watches. Charlie Christie.
:41:17. > :41:28.This is Maclean and Hayes, Jonny Hayes. Side netting. Hibs are living
:41:29. > :41:32.a very charmed life at the moment. One more goal and you would have to
:41:33. > :41:40.say that Aberdeen are through. This was brilliant from Hayes, cutting in
:41:41. > :41:47.but just dragged his shot past the near post. That is Grant Holt but
:41:48. > :41:51.who is coming off? It is a big call from Neil Lennon. You can see what
:41:52. > :41:55.Fraser Fyvie makes of this. He will have to recognise it is a tactical
:41:56. > :42:04.decision and not his performance. He will be hurting.
:42:05. > :42:11.Logan has been a good signing for Aberdeen, winning the league cup
:42:12. > :42:19.within his first couple of months after initially being on loan from
:42:20. > :42:23.Brentford. A good run by buoy. And a great ball for Grant Holt who makes
:42:24. > :42:30.an instant impact and Hibs are right back in this! Brilliantly done by
:42:31. > :42:36.the men in green and white. And that will make a world of difference for
:42:37. > :42:43.the holders. This is what Grant Holt is all about, it is magnificent from
:42:44. > :42:49.Boyle and what a bore into a dangerous area and what an impact
:42:50. > :42:51.from Grant Holt. That coming nine minutes before half-time, Grant
:42:52. > :43:10.Holt's fifth goal of the season. Kenny McLean could not resist. He
:43:11. > :43:19.can hit them from range. He has a sweet left foot.
:43:20. > :43:25.Hibs don't have time to finish this attack and it is half-time at
:43:26. > :43:29.Hampden Park. As things stand, Aberdeen are going through to final
:43:30. > :43:36.but their lead is not as comfortable they would have liked it at the
:43:37. > :43:41.interval. Adam Rooney scored on 12 seconds, Ryan Christie's free kick
:43:42. > :43:47.on 25 minutes but Grant Holt had only been on the pitch a minute or
:43:48. > :43:49.two as a substitute for Fraser Fyvie before heading Hibs right back into
:43:50. > :44:02.the equation and at half-time it is 1-2.
:44:03. > :44:15.Away by Ambrose. Jack gets there just in time. The effort from Logan.
:44:16. > :44:19.He scored the winner against Ross County a couple of rounds back. He
:44:20. > :44:24.is right to take it on and it opened up but he drags it past the post.
:44:25. > :44:32.More than half an hour to go and Anthony O'Connor, the Irishman from
:44:33. > :44:34.Cork. It is not always worked for Aberdeen when they have changed from
:44:35. > :44:45.the usual back four. It does add a bit of solidity to the
:44:46. > :44:51.defence on paper. It does, it is an extra man to try to deal with the
:44:52. > :44:56.threat of comings and Grant Holt. That might be seen by Hibs at
:44:57. > :45:04.Aberdeen trying to shut up shop but McGeouch is in to make it 2-2! They
:45:05. > :45:10.do not want to let go of this trophy! They are back from the dead
:45:11. > :45:13.here at Hampden Park. A brilliant, nation on the edge of the box and
:45:14. > :45:22.the wonderful finish from Dylan McGeouch. They deserve to be back in
:45:23. > :45:29.this. Question marks over Aberdeen's mentality again. If you only watched
:45:30. > :45:33.the first half-hour of this game and Hibs go through, you haven't seen
:45:34. > :45:40.the rest, you would be astonished but they have battled right back
:45:41. > :45:45.into this. Here is Hayes. He goes for the volley but comfortable for
:45:46. > :45:46.Martziano. At least it is an effort on goal for Aberdeen in this second
:45:47. > :45:53.half. Cummings is through here but
:45:54. > :46:00.offside. Very tight, very tight and if
:46:01. > :46:18.anything he is marginally off. The ball from Logan, the header from
:46:19. > :46:21.McLean. Graeme Shinnie. He scored the winner in the quarterfinal
:46:22. > :46:34.against Partick Thistle. Here he is again, the fancied
:46:35. > :46:39.another go, Martziano can hold on. Good goalkeeping. After it takes the
:46:40. > :46:43.deflection it is awkward. Shinnie was right to take it on. If you
:46:44. > :46:48.score now you think you're going to the final.
:46:49. > :47:03.That was making. Was O'Connor pushed? He was. There will still be
:47:04. > :47:07.fresh memories for the Aberdeen players of the recent capitulation
:47:08. > :47:08.to Rangers at Pittodrie when they conceded three goals in four
:47:09. > :47:24.minutes. That is ambitious but it is
:47:25. > :47:31.deflected into the net! How is your luck?! Jonny Hayes gives Aberdeen
:47:32. > :47:36.the lead with six minutes left. He does well to make room for the shot
:47:37. > :47:41.but that is as cruel as it gets. It has come off McGregor. It was hit
:47:42. > :47:45.more in hope than expectation by Jonny Hayes and in off Darren
:47:46. > :47:58.McGregor. Heartbreak for Hibernian. Suddenly the Scottish Football
:47:59. > :48:08.Association are giving it to Jonny Hayes. As Martin Boyle chases and in
:48:09. > :48:16.goes Taylor. He did just enough. Fantastic defending from Taylor to
:48:17. > :48:20.put Martin Boyle off. The last-minute.
:48:21. > :48:37.The flick from Holt. That is a corner. The goalkeeper is coming up.
:48:38. > :48:42.Hibs are heading out of the cup unless they can score from this
:48:43. > :48:48.corner. Sent in by comings and Martziano wins it but Lewis holds on
:48:49. > :48:53.and that might be it. It was a decent ball in and a very decent
:48:54. > :49:02.header from the goalkeeper. It was actually a fine save from Joe Lewis.
:49:03. > :49:10.It is all over at Hampden Park! And the waiting is over for Aberdeen.
:49:11. > :49:17.They have dethroned Hibernian! And they are through to their first
:49:18. > :49:22.Scottish Cup final in 17 years. It is a third final under Derek
:49:23. > :49:30.McInnes. They were made to sweat for it today. Jonny Hayes' deflected
:49:31. > :49:37.effort right at the end of the game has put Aberdeen into the William
:49:38. > :49:39.Hill Scottish Cup final. It has finished here at the National
:49:40. > :49:46.Stadium Hibernian 2-3 Aberdeen. Congratulations, you are through to
:49:47. > :49:53.the final but they put you through the mill. Absolutely. A fantastic
:49:54. > :49:59.start. 13 seconds I think it was, and I'd put it away and there was
:50:00. > :50:02.good intensity from ourselves. Hibs had a real wobble and there was
:50:03. > :50:06.anxiety as you would have losing the early goal but I thought we were
:50:07. > :50:11.good value in the opening half hour for the second goal and it was great
:50:12. > :50:16.from young Ryan. And I thought 2-0 was a fair reflection, we were sharp
:50:17. > :50:21.and pounced on them and they never got any flow into their game. Not
:50:22. > :50:25.good enough from us, the first 30 minutes was pathetic and totally
:50:26. > :50:28.unacceptable. It is nothing to do with tactics or formations, it is
:50:29. > :50:35.decision-making and individual errors. We needed 836-year-old to
:50:36. > :50:42.come on and get us playing which we did and scored great goals -- we
:50:43. > :50:46.needed a 36-year-old. We didn't deserve to lose the game but you
:50:47. > :50:51.can't give a team like Aberdeen a 2-goal head start. Anything can
:50:52. > :50:55.happen at 2-2. Thankfully it went our way, we got a break with the
:50:56. > :51:00.goal. We are delighted to get to the final. Delighted for the supporters,
:51:01. > :51:06.the last memory here was a sobering one at Hampden Park and we felt we
:51:07. > :51:09.had making up to do after that final and the performance today and how
:51:10. > :51:14.the players have reacted since the turn of the year suggests that we
:51:15. > :51:19.are a good side and we are hopefully ready for the final. We will go away
:51:20. > :51:27.with a lot of regret, we were as good as them is not better. It'll be
:51:28. > :51:31.a long couple of weeks for them because the championship is over. We
:51:32. > :51:35.can enjoy the celebration but we were good enough to go to the final
:51:36. > :51:38.and beat Aberdeen. It was in evidence for long parts of the game.
:51:39. > :51:44.When you took the free kick, were you going for the near post always?
:51:45. > :51:48.Not until Adam Rooney had a word in my ear and told me to have a look at
:51:49. > :51:52.the goalkeeper and maybe try to shoot. He will take the assist for
:51:53. > :52:00.that one. But happy it went in and of a for Johnny scoring the winner.
:52:01. > :52:04.Are you claiming it? It is going top corner! But anyway it goes in we
:52:05. > :52:08.take it, especially so late when it doesn't give them a chance to go
:52:09. > :52:12.back. They had the moment so it came at a good time. It has been a
:52:13. > :52:16.brilliant season, going well in the league and disappointed from the
:52:17. > :52:19.last cup. We said we wanted to be here again at the end of the season
:52:20. > :52:23.fighting for another trophy and we are in that position now and looking
:52:24. > :52:28.forward to it. A thoroughly enthralling match, Aberdeen edging
:52:29. > :52:33.it and Hibs historic reign as Scottish Cup holders comes to a
:52:34. > :52:39.close. The stuff of dreams for Derek McInnes, the way it started, and
:52:40. > :52:44.nightmares for Darren McGregor. What a start it was an incredible really
:52:45. > :52:48.and Aberdeen pressed it is so high up the pitch at the start. There
:52:49. > :52:53.were two errors from Hibs but a decent finish from Adam Rooney in
:52:54. > :52:56.the end. The pressure they put them under in the first half hour was
:52:57. > :53:02.incredible and every time they lost the ball, the amount of time it took
:53:03. > :53:05.them to win it back was minimal. Ryan Christie puts Stevenson under
:53:06. > :53:11.pressure, forcing him to go long and when it did, Cummings was isolated
:53:12. > :53:15.and more often than not Aberdeen won uncomfortably. They hunt in packs
:53:16. > :53:21.and gets the ball back and end a decent chance for Jonny Hayes. He
:53:22. > :53:24.was excellent and he comes in on his right and he just drag it past the
:53:25. > :53:31.near post but the start from Aberdeen was so impressive. This
:53:32. > :53:35.consolidated that dominance. You can see Dylan McGeouch looking over his
:53:36. > :53:39.shoulder trying to anticipate a cutback but he should be staying in
:53:40. > :53:43.the war and blocking that. If he doesn't move, it doesn't go into the
:53:44. > :53:47.front post. Obviously Martziano had to take some of the responsible deep
:53:48. > :53:51.but the first problem is Dylan McGeouch stepping out of the wall.
:53:52. > :53:56.Should Grant Holt have started the match? He made such a difference. It
:53:57. > :54:02.is this and buts and maybes but he made a huge difference. Before that,
:54:03. > :54:09.this is it, aimless balls, easy to deal with for the Aberdeen defence.
:54:10. > :54:14.Watch Jason Cummings coming is throwing his arms up. And in the
:54:15. > :54:18.corner, that is where the space was but Hibs had no out ball and no
:54:19. > :54:24.target man to hold it up but when he came on the lookout many bodies in
:54:25. > :54:28.the box. A wonderful ball Martin Boyle, fantastic and again, look at
:54:29. > :54:33.the second goal, Grant Holt and bodies in the final third. A great
:54:34. > :54:36.offer from Lewis Stevenson out wide and it meant that Logan was
:54:37. > :54:42.attracted to him and it creates space in the middle for a Holt to
:54:43. > :54:46.play it and McGeouch to get in. But having more bodies in the final
:54:47. > :54:49.third and creating problems for the Aberdeen defence and when it came up
:54:50. > :54:53.there was a platform for them to get up the park. It was a huge
:54:54. > :54:57.difference. Whether he should have studied or not, that is one of those
:54:58. > :55:03.conundrums that Neil Lennon will run through his head for weeks to come.
:55:04. > :55:07.-- started or not. Darren McGregor will have better days you would
:55:08. > :55:11.hope. He was at fault a bid for the first goal but the second he could
:55:12. > :55:16.not do anything, it is a cruel deflection and a sad way to lose the
:55:17. > :55:21.game for Hibernian. Jonny Hayes does well to make the space, it was never
:55:22. > :55:25.going in but it comes off Darren and goes in. He is drifting off the
:55:26. > :55:31.forward line and John McGinn has to drop a yard. It is late in the game,
:55:32. > :55:35.you are tired and your concentration is slack but if he drops, Jonny
:55:36. > :55:40.Hayes cannot get through the gap. That is the difference at the end of
:55:41. > :55:45.it. It is cool for Hibs but Aberdeen just found a way to win the game.
:55:46. > :55:49.They are so consistent. Since the turn of the year, their form has
:55:50. > :55:53.been phenomenal. From what we saw, how much should be expected from
:55:54. > :56:00.Hibs next season in the Premiership? No doubt... Even in the current
:56:01. > :56:05.situation and with their squad, Neil Lennon will be saying to the board
:56:06. > :56:09.they need investment and it is no consolation just now, but I'm pretty
:56:10. > :56:12.sure he is looking at that and thinking that it gives me a good bit
:56:13. > :56:18.of ammunition could say to the board, a bit of investment and we
:56:19. > :56:21.can challenge for Europe. On the 27th of May either Aberdeen or
:56:22. > :56:47.Celtic will have their name etched into Scottish Cup history.
:56:48. > :56:54.There you have it, the 2017 Scottish Cup final between Aberdeen and
:56:55. > :56:57.Celtic and is always BBC Scotland will have the most extensive live
:56:58. > :57:02.coverage across television, radio and online. We heard the views of
:57:03. > :57:08.Michael that Celtic will go through the season unbeaten and win the cup.
:57:09. > :57:14.What is your view of the final? Can Aberdeen defeat Celtic? They can,
:57:15. > :57:20.Southwark are clear favourites but Aberdeen can do it. It's like he's
:57:21. > :57:23.wearing his red jumper! They have players to hurt Celtic, and if their
:57:24. > :57:28.top players perform they can win it. They will take a lot from the league
:57:29. > :57:35.cup defeat, they can draw on that experience to be better. Do you
:57:36. > :57:42.think Celtic will win it? Yes, I do. I thought so! What will it take from
:57:43. > :57:45.Aberdeen to stop Celtic? The league cup final with hugely disappointing
:57:46. > :57:50.for so many Aberdeen fans with how they played. The problem is, as we
:57:51. > :57:54.highlighted in the Rangers game, it is the movement and rotation of
:57:55. > :57:57.their players. Aberdeen have to make sure they are strong at the back and
:57:58. > :58:03.have a threat on the counterattack which they did not have in the last
:58:04. > :58:07.final. Thank you as always. It has been a great weekend of cup action.
:58:08. > :58:12.We are back to the league next weekend, join us for that but until
:58:13. > :58:13.then from all of us at Sportscene, we will see you next weekend.
:58:14. > :59:02.Goodbye for now. Hello, it's
:59:03. > :59:04.All Round To Mrs Brown's, where my guests will be
:59:05. > :59:16.the fantastic Michael Ball... All Round To Mrs Brown's,
:59:17. > :59:20.the finale...