Scottish Cup: Hearts 2 Celtic 1

15 April 2012 16:20

Hearts set up an all-Edinburgh Scottish Cup final after a dramatic 2-1 semi-final win over Celtic at Hampden Park on Sunday.

Goals from Rudi Skacel and a last minute Craig Beattie penalty either side of a Gary Hooper header saw Hearts upset the odds and defeat their opponents - who are 33 points above them in the Scottish Premier League.

The result ends Celtic's dreams of a domestic league and cup double, but the record 35-time winners can have no complaints about the defeat to Hearts, who were worthy winners.

Celtic started the game as huge favourites after their 6-0 hammering of Kilmarnock last weekend as they finally secured the league title, but it was Hearts who nearly took a shock first minute lead as Bhoys defender Kelvin Wilson under-hit a backpass which was seized upon by Stephen Elliot, however Fraser Forster was out quickly to smother the former Sunderland striker.

From then on however the Edinburgh side set their stall out to nullify the runaway SPL winners which they did well as the Celtic failed to create to many dangerous opportunities.

However, Celtic should have taken the lead just a minute before half-time when they carved out their best chance of the opening period.

After some neat work around the edge of the area Michael Lustig received the ball on the right side of the box, and his teasing cross was met by South Korean international Ki Sung Yeung, but his header came crashing back of the post from just six yards out.

And Neil Lennon's men were made to rue that miss just two minutes after the break as Skacel beat the offside trap and rounded Forster to give Hearts the lead.

Ki again hit the bar with header as Celtic pushed for an equaliser, and they got it on 87 minutes when Hooper finally made their pressure count, heading in from the edge of the six-yard box from a Charlie Mulgrew cross.

However the drama did not finish there, as on the 90th minute mark Hearts won a penalty after a handball in the area.

Craig Beattie stepped up and slammed the ball past Forster to send the Tynecastle club's fans into delirium.

Celtic tried desperately in vain to grab a goal, and had their own shouts for a penalty ignored despite the protestations of manager Neil Lennon.

Hearts, who last won the cup in 2006, will now face arch-rivals Hibernian in what promises to be a pulsating clash at Hampden Park next month.