SOCCER:STEVEN Naismith's second-half winner for Rangers yesterday against Motherwell set up an Old Firm CIS Cup final at Hampden on March 20th.
It was far from a classic semi-final even though it was a wonderful strike from Maurice Edu after 20 minutes which gave Rangers, who yesterday signed Northern Ireland striker David Healy on loan from Sunderland until the end of the season, the interval lead.
Motherwell stormed back after the break levelling in the 66th minute through Keith Lasley but Naismith’s close-range header, after good work by Nikica Jelavic, assured the cup holders the chance to defend the trophy against Celtic.
However, on this evidence, and on the evidence of the Hoops’ recent form, including their 4-1 semi-final win over Aberdeen on Saturday, Rangers will have to improve if they are to retain the cup although before that, they meet Celtic at Ibrox in the fifth-round of Scottish FA Cup next week.
Celtic booked their place in the final thanks to a first-half demolition of Aberdeen at Hampden, where they raced into a four-goal lead.
The tie was effectively over after only 10 minutes by which time the Hoops were leading through goals by debutant Kris Commons, drafted straight into the Celtic side after finalising his move from Derby on Friday, and defender Charlie Mulgrew.
When defender Thomas Rogne headed in number three after 21 minutes it looked like Neil Lennon’s men could be on the way to replicating the 9-0 home thrashing handed out by the Parkhead side when the two teams met in the league in November.
Celtic’s on-form striker Anthony Stokes added a penalty 11 minutes before half-time but a Scott Vernon header gave the scoreline a modicum of respectability.
