-myKhel Team

Celtic reached the Scottish Cup semi-finals after a tense penalty shoot-out at Ibrox, edging Rangers 4-2 following a 0-0 draw over 120 minutes. James Tavernier and Djeidi Gassama both failed from the spot for Rangers, allowing Tomas Cvancara to score the winning kick as disorder followed, with sections of both sets of supporters entering the pitch.

The shoot-out swung Celtic’s way from the first attempt when Tavernier’s strike clipped the crossbar. Celtic converted each of their efforts, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scoring to apply pressure. When Gassama missed the target, Cvancara stepped up and converted from 12 yards, sealing Celtic’s progress to Hampden Park in dramatic fashion.

Rangers were left frustrated because team data suggested dominance over Celtic throughout the Scottish Cup tie. Rangers produced 24 attempts, with six on target, and finished with an expected goals figure of 2.81. Celtic, by contrast, managed a single effort worth 0.02 xG, yet defended stubbornly, with Auston Trusty central to that resilience.

Trusty’s influence showed in several defensive metrics as Celtic resisted long spells of Rangers pressure. Trusty led Celtic for aerial duels won with six and made 14 clearances. Trusty also recorded 94 touches and completed 56 accurate passes, underlining the defender’s importance during a match where Celtic largely absorbed attacks and relied on the shoot-out.

The drama in the Scottish Cup tie had been building from the first period of extra time. Rangers believed Emmanuel Fernandez had broken the deadlock in the 100th minute, turning in from a corner. However, VAR showed a handball in the build-up, and the referee ruled the goal out, maintaining the deadlock and increasing tension around Ibrox.

Earlier in extra time and late in normal time, Rangers created several clear chances but lacked composure. Youssef Chermiti, who scored twice in the league derby the previous week, fired wide from close range with the goal in sight. Celtic continued to scramble clear, with display after display of last-ditch defending keeping the score level.

Rangers’ pressure had already been intense in the second half, as Celtic struggled to sustain attacks. A series of scrambles in the Celtic penalty area saw the ball drop kindly for Nicolas Raskin, whose effort was cleared off the line. Soon after, Tochi Chukwuani had a shot blocked by Dane Murray as Celtic again survived a dangerous attack.

The first half had seen Celtic threaten briefly despite Rangers holding more possession. Daizen Maeda thought a breakthrough had arrived late in that period, heading into the net. The celebrations were short-lived, though, as the assistant’s flag went up for offside, leaving the match goalless at the interval and setting up a tense second half.

After the decisive penalty, celebrations from the Celtic end followed, before the scenes turned unpleasant. Sections of both Celtic and Rangers supporters came onto the pitch after the final whistle and shoot-out. The result meant Rangers’ wait for a first Scottish Cup since 2022 continues, while Celtic move on to the last four at Hampden Park.

<![CDATA[]]>