Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2011 20:04:41 GMT
For 45 minutes, this was an almighty struggle for Celtic. No doubt reeling from some half-time truths from their manager and benefiting as Aberdeen's early reduction to 10 men finally told, the Parkhead club improved markedly thereafter.
Neil Lennon's dream of a double during this, his first full season in charge, remains alive. Celtic will meet Motherwell in the Scottish Cup final on 21 May.
Aberdeen, who were thumped by the same opponents in this season's League Cup semi-final, had their hopes of a final appearance fatally undermined by the 18th-minute dismissal of Andrew Considine. The centre-half clipped Gary Hooper as he bore down on goal; Anthony Stokes saw his resultant penalty beaten away by Jamie Langfield but Celtic's numerical advantage always looked likely to be decisive.
Still, Aberdeen had held their own during that opening period. Chris Maguire headed their best opportunity at Fraser Forster while, aside from the spot kick, Stokes had been denied at close, one-on-one range by Langfield.
Aberdeen's goalkeeper was deceived by the Celtic opener. Charlie Mulgrew, a former Dons player, curled in a free-kick that was intended as a cross for Stokes. Not only did the striker fail to connect with a header, the bounce of the ball was also sufficient to beat Langfield for the first time.
Aberdeen lacked the resource and belief to recover. They had watched a goal from Maguire chalked off for offside only seconds before Joe Ledley doubled the Celtic advantage. Stokes was the provider, with a cut-back that the Welshman stroked home from 12 yards.
Celtic's second penalty of the tie extended their aggregate advantage over Aberdeen this season to 20-1. Derek Young conceded it, with a needless challenge on Stokes as he and the ball seemed to be running out of play. A change of taker prompted a change in result, Kris Commons slotting past Langfield from 12 yards.
The substitute Shaun Maloney completed the scoring from close-range after build-up work from Scott Brown and the impressive Mark Wilson. Aberdeen's only source of solace is that they do not have to meet Celtic again this season.