Celtic 1-2 Heart of Midlothian

Craig Beattie's injury time penalty set up an all Edinburgh Cup Final as Hearts beat Celtic 2-1 in Sunday's highly dramatic William Hill Scottish Cup semi final at Hampden.

Rudi Skacel's close range strike minutes into the second half put the Jambos in the front seat, but the tie looked destined for extra time after Gary Hooper levelled for the Hoops with just minutes remaining.

Joe Ledley was then deemed to have handballed a Marius Zaliukas shot, cue Beattie firing home a dramatic stoppage time penalty to set up what is sure to be the most eagerly anticipated Edinburgh derby in living memory.

Paulo Sergio made two changes to the side that beat Dunfermline 2-1 last Saturday as Stephen Elliott returned from injury to replace Gary Glen up front. Jamie Hamill, having sustained a serious injury in training, made way for Andy Webster who resumed his central defensive partnership with Captain Marius Zaliukas.

The game was just thirty seconds old when Kelvin Wilson's back pass trickled into the path of Stephen Elliott, his shot forcing Fraser Forster into a save on his near post.

Hearts made a point of closing down the Celtic backline in the early stages; Ian Black dispossessed Charlie Mulgrew on the edge of the box but his cross for Elliott was blocked by a hoop jersey on eight yards.

Down the other end, Hooper's glancing header narrowly missed Jamie MacDonald's far post after an in-swinging cross from Mulgrew down the left flank. Neil Lennon's men enjoyed shorts spells of pressure throughout the half, but were all too often let down by the quality of the final ball.

They were almost gifted an opener after a mix-up between MacDonald and Webster, the latter's pass back slipping into the path of Commons but the midfielder was unable to round the keeper.

Despite enjoying the lion's share of possession, Celtic were largely restricted to long range efforts as Hearts retreated deep, forcing their opponents to knock the ball sideways in a bid to breach the maroon backline.

Minutes before the interval, however, MacDonald's woodwork was rattled as Ki Sung Yueng's diving header came crashing off the left post after Georgios Samaras and Mikael Lustig combined down the right.

The late Celtic pressure prompted Sergio into making a half-time change as Scott Robinson made way for Craig Beattie.
The substitution had an immediate effect as the Jambos took the lead inside two minutes of the restart.

Black's pass found Beattie on the edge of the box and the former Celtic man flicked the ball into the path of Skacel. The fans favourite's first touch took the ball past Forster before he rifled a shot into the roof of the net to send the maroon faithful into a frenzy.

Celtic immediately went on the attack, Ki firing wide from 20 yards out as the Hoops went in search of a quick reply.
Skacel then twice went close through a speculative 30 yard free kick, before firing wide of Forster's left post after being teed up by Beattie.

Sergio then made his second change of the afternoon as Black made way for Suso with 25 minutes remaining. The Spaniard proceeded to concede possession with his first touch; the ball finding its way to Stokes who dragged his effort wide from just inside the box.

Stokes found himself in space again in the 71st minute as he pulled away from his marker before hitting a shot straight into the arms of MacDonald from ten yards out.

The Gorgie side went close to grabbing a second when Suso raced down the right before finding Beattie on the near post. He pulled the ball across goal, eventually finding Elliott on the edge of the box, but his looping shot failed to beat Forster.

The game was end to end at this point with Hooper releasing Commons inside the box only for MacDonald to react first as he smothered the ball at the feet of the former Derby County man.

Ki then looked odds on to score with nine minutes remaining as he connected with a Commons free kick, but MacDonald was on hand to produce a magnificent save to tip the ball round his right post.

With Celtic piling on the pressure, MacDonald was called upon time and time again. He produced spectacular saves to deny both Commons and Ki again, but was helpless to prevent the Hoops from levelling with minutes remaining.

Mulgrew whipped a cross in from the left which found the head of Hooper who leapt to steer the ball over the helpless MacDonald.

It looked to be a devastating blow for the Edinburgh side, but they soon began to push forward as the clock passed the 90 minute mark.

A corner form Grainger found Zaliukas on the edge of the box, the Captain's volley hitting the arm of Joe Ledley en route to goal. Referee Euan Norris immediately pointed to the spot, prompting Beattie to step up to the mark.

With a sea of maroon holding their breath behind the goal, Beattie calmly stepped up and rifled the ball into the roof of the net, cue wild celebrations as he leapt over the advertising boards to greet the euphoric fans.

Celtic, however, were in no mood to lie down and instantly pushed forward in numbers. MacDonald, however, was enjoying the game of his life and denied Ledley from close range as the clock approached the 94th minute.

The final whistle sounded shortly after, with players and staff embracing before joining forces to salute the thousands who made the trip across the M8.

Players and fans now have just over four weeks to prepare for the biggest Edinburgh derby in living memory as they return to Hampden on May 19th to battle it out with Hibs for the right to lift the Scottish Cup.

Celtic: Forster; Lustig (Wanyama 74), Loovens, Wilson, Mulgrew; Commons, Brown (McGeouch 82), Ki, Ledley; Samaras (Stokes 60), Hooper. Subs not used: Zaluska, Izaguirre.

Hearts: MacDonald; McGowan, Webster, Zaliukas, Grainger; Barr, Black (Suso 63), Skacel; Elliott (Prychynenko 77), Robinson (Beattie 45), Driver. Subs not used: Ridgers, Templeton.

Referee: Euan Norris

Top man: Jamie MacDonald

Hearts World