Celtic - 3 Dundee United - 0:SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP/Semi-Final: Celtic made sure next month's Scottish League Cup final will be an all Old Firm affair thanks to two second-half goals from Bobo Balde and a Henrik Larsson strike, which deflated 10-man Dundee United at Hampden Park yesterday.
United had battled throughout, but in the end found the gulf in class too much to bridge, especially when Jim Lauchlan was sent off with more than half-an-hour remaining.
Ian McCall's first game as United boss had provided the club's first home win in months, adding to his reputation as a miracle worker having noticeably transformed the fortunes of Airdrie and Falkirk.
Falkirk thrashed Hearts 4-0 in the Scottish Cup in his last game there, but McCall has already discovered that fairy tales at the expense of the Old Firm are few and far between these days.
Two days earlier, Hearts had suffered badly from stage-fright against Rangers in the other semi and McCall had clearly given orders for challenges to go in from the off, although Jim McIntyre overdid it after just five minutes and was booked for felling Lambert. It was a good first half from United, but it was not long before they imploded.
Celtic upped the tempo from the start of the second half. A breakthrough was coming and Balde turned out to be the unlikely provider, although he had twice before gone on charges upfield.
His 52nd-minute strike came after Hartson had put Larsson through and, after the Swede had taken the ball round United's goalkeeper Alan Combe, the giant defender came galloping up to find the empty net first.
And Larsson grabbed the second in the 80th minute when he fired home on the turn through David McCracken's legs after a great swivel and pass from Sutton on the edge of the box.
In stoppage-time Balde headed the third from a cross from the right from substitute Alan Thompson.
CELTIC: Hedman, Valgaeren, Balde, Laursen, Agathe (Sylla 82), Lambert, Lennon, Sutton, Smith (Thompson 73), Larsson, Hartson (Fernandez 73). Subs Not Used: Crainey, Marshall. Booked: Lambert, Smith. Goals: Balde 52, Larsson 80, Balde 90.
DUNDEE UTD: Combe, Wilson, Lauchlan, McCraken, Duff, Easton, Miller (O'Donnell 74), McIntyre, Paterson (McCunnie 70), Lilley, Dodds (Hamilton 63). Subs Not Used: Smart, Gallacher. Sent Off: Lauchlan (55). Booked: McIntyre, Miller.
Referee: S Dougal (Scotland).
