semi final

SCOTT McDONALD converted the winning penalty as Celtic edged a marathon shoot-out 11-10 over Dundee United to book a March 15 Co-operative Insurance Cup League Cup Final date with Rangers.

The two teams couldn’t be separated over the course of the 90 minutes, with few real opportunities being created as normal time finished at 0-0. Celtic hit the bar twice in extra-time but the winner remained elusive.

In the shoot-out, Scott McDonald, Gary Caldwell, Shunsuke Nakamura, Barry Robson and Georgios Samaras all converted for Celtic. Willo Flood, Jon Daly, Warren Feeney, Craig Conway and Paul Dixon were successful for United.

Sudden-death ensued and Morgaro Gomis potted United’s sixth penalty, before Lee Naylor did likewise for Celtic. Garry Kenneth made it 7-6 to United but Marc Crosas levelled the shoot-out again.

David Robertson put United in front once but Scott Brown casually rolled his penalty home to make it 8-8. Lee Wilkie was then denied by Boruc and but Glenn Loovens also missed.

Mihael Kovacevic put United 9-8 in the lead but Andy Hinkel levelled again. That meant it was down to the goalkeepers and Lukasz Zaluska made it 10-9 before Boruc slammed his spot-kick into the top corner.

It was then back to the original kickers and Flood hit the top of the bar to give McDonald the chance to win it for Celtic. The Australian made no mistake.

Both sides deserve immense credit for trying to play the game the right way on an appalling playing surface that deteriorated as the night wore on and was in no way conducive to good football.

Gordon Strachan made just one enforced change from the side that beat Hibernian on Saturday. Captain Stephen McManus missed out through injury, with Loovens taking his place. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink skippered the side.

The big Dutchman was involved from the start and almost fired Celtic ahead inside 60 seconds. Nakamura’s cross was punched out by Zaluska and Vennegoor of Hesselink’s follow-up effort was saved by the Pole.

Zaluska’s compatriot Boruc also saw some early action. Flood embarked on a mazy run that finished with a toe-poke towards the bottom corner. Boruc saved well.

Nakamura was next to have a go in five minutes. He skipped past a Kenneth challenge and sent a right-foot shot past Zaluska, but Kovacevic cleared at the back post.

United striker Feeney, meeting Kenneth’s cross, glanced a header wide of target before Nakamura threatened again. His netbound volley was deflected wide by Kenneth.

Vennegoor of Hesselink came within a whisker of converting a Nakamura corner in18 minutes but United were always dangerous as well – with Francisco Sandaza testing Boruc from eight yards.

Celtic came close again just after the half-hour mark. Naylor’s curling cross was knocked away by Wilkie, just as McDonald waited to pounce.

Back United came again. Conway won a free-kick on the left wing and then sent a cross on to the head of Sandaza, whose flick flew inches wide.

Loovens sent a header over the bar as Celtic continued to chase the opener. Brown, outstanding again for the Hoops, also tested Zaluska with a left-foot piledriver before the break.

Nakamura’s deep free-kick almost caught out Zaluska at the start of the second half. Loovens was then harshly booked when he tangled with Feeney on a United break.

Vennegoor of Hesselink headed over in 57 minutes but there were precious few clear-cut chances being created. Sandaza did get a yard of space in the box but his volley flew over the bar.

United midfielder Buaben flashed a low drive past the post in 71 minutes. Samaras and Robson were then introduced for Vennegoor of Hesselink and Aiden McGeady.

Hoops substitute Robson was involved in a moment of controversy with eight minutes remaining when he fell under a Buaben challenge in the box. Referee Calum Murray was unmoved.

Samaras then went on a marauding run into the box but United stood firm. The Greek also came close to converting a McDonald cross –only to take a heavy touch. In added time, Wilkie also threatened before the end.

Into extra-time and Crosas blazed over the bar from the edge of the box. Samaras headed over before Wilkie produced a heroic clearance to deny McDonald a certain goal. Nakamura’s low drive was then saved by Zaluska.

It was all Celtic at this point. Nakamura teed up McDonald and his shot was blocked. Samaras found the side-netting with the rebound. Nakamura’s low shot suffered the same fate.

United began the second period of extra-time on top and Flood almost found the bottom corner after a mazy run into the box. Feeney was then inches away from connecting with a Conway centre.

However, Celtic finished stronger. McDonald and Hinkel were denied by blocks and Crosas and Samaras both hit the bar in an amazing finale before the dramatics of the shoot-out.