Celtic edge past Inverness Caledonian Thistle to qualify for the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup
Joe Ledley’s brace help Celtic beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2-1 in the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup on Wednesday evening. The Celts will play Aberdeen in the semi-finals of the competition.
Celtic Manager, Neil Lennon made several changes to his starting line-up that beat Hamilton Academical recently. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Georgios-Samaras-c14641 and Garry Hooper started upfront in a 4-4-2 formation.
Terry Butcher named an unchanged team from the 3-0 win against Motherwell; Adam Rooney and skipper Richie Foran started upfront for the hosts.
Celtic dominated the early action and almost took the lead within the first five minutes; http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Glenn-Loovens-c15054 nodded his header over the bar from five yards from Kris Commons’ corner kick.
Minutes later, fullback http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Emilio-Izaguirre-c12489 made a speedy run down the left flank but goalkeeper Ryan Esson came out of his line to clutch his fine cross.
The hosts had a wonderful opportunity to score in the 21st minute; Shane Sutherland played a lovely pass at the far post to Foran, who knocked his shot wide of the post from five yards.
Celtic dominated the game after that huge let off and enjoyed a good spell of possession.
In the 41st minute, Inverness were awarded a penalty kick, after Loovens brought down Foran inside the box and the linesman waived the flag for a foul. Rooney slammed the ball into the bottom corner of the net to make it 1-0 for the hosts.
The visitors drew level just before the half-time whistle, Izaguirre played a lovely cross from the left and Ledley controlled it beautifully before slamming the ball into the net from six yards, to make it 1-1.
The first half witnessed an excellent end as both teams deserved to go into the break on the same footing.
Both teams looked to score an early goal in the second half, to put the opposition on the back foot. The hosts had a wonderful chance to take the lead in the 56th minute; Sutherland’s shot from inside the box was nudged wide of the goal by goalkeeper
Fraser Forster.
Just after the hour mark, Commons drilled a powerful shot from the free kick but the ball went inches past the post.
The Celts took the lead in the 68th minute; Ki Sung-Yeung’s delivery was brilliantly headed into the goal by Ledley, to make it 2-1 for the visitors.
Moments later, Ledley went for his hat-trick but Esson made a splendid save to push the ball out for a corner.
The Bhoys held onto their trim lead and advanced to the next round.
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