Aberdeen 0 Cletic 2:Celtic cruised into the semi-finals here last night but their victory was marred by the 85th-minute sending off of John Hartson after he kicked out at Aberdeen's Jamie McAllister. The Dons had the chance of a late consolation but Robbie Winters missed a 90th minute penalty.
After two afternoon pitch inspections decreed the tie would go ahead, there were early signs that it would live up to its pre-match billing as a classic.
Celtic took an early lead and even before that both teams had created, and missed, excellent opportunities. In an electrifying opening John Hartson sent Stilian Petrov through the middle of an inattentive Aberdeen defence. The Bulgarian advanced and rounded Peter Kjaer before being crowded out by the home defence.
Then, before 60 seconds were on the clock, the Dons raced upfield and Darren Young found Robbie Winters with a delightful cross but the midfield man, with time and space, shot wide.
He came to rue that miss when Bobo Balde, much criticised for his robust defending in these parts, sent Petrov chasing after what appeared to be a lost cause. With Derek Whyte all but giving up the chase, the Celtic player managed to cut the ball back and Hartson was in ahead of Phil McGuire to force the ball home.
The game burst into life in the 25th minute when Chris Sutton was booked for a hefty challenge on Derek Young. Then Eugene Dadi was given a stern talking-to for blocking Rab Douglas and the Aberdeen striker looked un successfully for a penalty after he collided with Didier Agathe. Dadi was clearly not happy and frustration got the better of him when he was booked for a foul on Sutton.
Television replays suggested Balde used an elbow during a challenge on Darren Young and the young Pittodrie player had complained bitterly to the referee Hugh Dallas as the teams left the field for the break.
Celtic extended their lead eight minutes into the second half after Johan Mjallby had missed when it seemed easier to score. Moravcik sent Petrov through and the midfielder took his chance with delightful skill as he delicately lobbed Kjaer.
That virtually killed the tie and there was little to report until the late burst of action which saw Hartson dismissed and Douglas save Winters' penalty after Zerouali had been brought down bt Balde.
ABERDEEN: Kjaer, McNaughton, McGuire, Whyte, McAllister, Mackie, Darren Young, Bisconti, Winters, Derek Young (Zerouali 34), Dadi.Subs not used: Esson, Anderson, Clark, Tiernan.Booked: Dadi, McGuire.
CELTIC: Douglas, Balde, Mjallby, Sutton (Crainey 87), Agathe, Lambert, Lennon, Petrov, Thompson, Moravcik (Maloney 62), Hartson. Subs not used: Gould, Boyd, Smith. Sent Off: Hartson (85). Booked: Sutton, Moravcik, Agathe.Goals: Hartson 6, Petrov 53.
Referee: H Dallas (Scotland).
SCOTTISH CUP - Semi-final draw: Dundee Utd or Ayr v Celtic; Rangers v Partick or Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Matches to be played at Hampden Park, on the weekend of March 23rd/24th.
Former Kilmarnock manager Bobby Williamson was yesterday confirmed as the new Hibernian manager.
