By Celtic's Alison McConnell
Bobo Balde was the unlikely goal hero as Celtic set the stage for an Old Firm CIS Insurance Cup Final next month.
The defender netted a second half brace, while in between times Henrik Larsson scored his 34th goal of the season when he beat Alan Combe with a low drive from the edge of the box. Celtic and Rangers will now go head-to-head twice within eight days next month when the sides meet first of all in the league on Saturday March 8th at Celtic Park, before renewing acquaintances at Hampden to fight for the CIS Insurance Cup.
The competition lost most of its allure when it lost the European qualifying place, but an Old Firm final will add an extra bite to the tournament with both sides still chasing plausible Trebles. The fact that Celtic lost the Cup to Rangers at the semi-final stage of the competition 12 months ago is another incentive, should any be required, to claim the beleaguered trophy.
There were two changes made to the team that convincingly swept Partick Thistle aside at the weekend, with Jackie McNamara and Stilian Petrov replaced by John Hartson and Paul Lambert. Chris Sutton returned to his attacking midfield berth behind the combination of Larsson and Hartson. It took Celtic’s control of possession ten minutes to translate itself into a genuine opportunity when Larsson beat Jim Lauchlan just outside the box and danced forward before firing his shot into the arms of Alan Combe.
Seconds later the opener almost arrived from Balde after a Celtic free-kick was launched into the United penalty box, but the defender’s attempt bounced just wide of the target. United, buoyed by the arrival of new manager Ian McCall, were not without their own threat and midway through the opening half caused a few palpitations in the Hoops defence. Charlie Miller played a quick free-kick down the left channel to Stuart Duff who left Neil Lennon in his wake before cutting the ball across the face of Magnus Hedman’s goal. The move eventually came to nothing but it posted a warning that Celtic had to heed the threat of the Tannadice side on the break.
Lambert was the first name into referee Stuart Dougal’s book after a late tackle on Mark Wilson, as Celtic’s frustration started to grow. Although the Hoops had the bulk of the ball their possession was largely toothless as they struggled to create genuine openings in the face of an assiduous United defence.
O’Neill opted to stick by the eleven players, and within seven minutes of the restart they returned his faith when Celtic seized command of the tie. Didier Agathe started the move when he played the ball into towards Larsson in the box. The Swede dummied it, Hartson claimed possession and eventually sent the ball through a ruck of United players for Larsson to accept before flicking the ball beyond the on-rushing Combe for Balde to sweep the ball high into an empty net.
Minutes later United pushed the self-destruct button when Jim Lauchlan was dismissed after a reckless challenge on Larsson. The defender crunched through the Swede from behind yards in front of Douglas, and the whistler had little option but to dismiss him.
Celtic almost capitalised on their numerical advantage within seconds when Jamie Smith crashed a shot off the post left-hand post after weaving his way into the box from the flank, but in any case it was difficult to see a way back into the game for ten-man United. Having contained Celtic for long periods in the opening half, losing a goal so early into the second period was enough of a blow to United without having to fight with a man short. McCall took off Billy Dodds, who received a warm ovation from the Celtic fans, and replaced him with Jim Hamilton in an attempt to shore up the defence.
By then though Celtic were firmly in the ascendancy and had the ball in the net again, only for opportunity to be knocked off for a foul in the box, after Sutton had headed off the bar and Larsson had netted the rebound. It simply delayed the inevitable after Larsson netted ten minutes before time before Balde added a gloss to the scoreline when he headed high into the net to convert a short corner from subs Alan Thompson and Momo Sylla deep in injury time.
March promises much.
CELTIC (3-5-2): Hedman; Valgaeren, Balde, Laursen; Agathe (Sylla 82), Lambert, Sutton, Lennon, Smith (Thompson 73); Larsson, Hartson (Fernandez 73). Subs: Marshall, Crainey.
UNITED (3-5-2): Combe; Lauchlan, Wilson, McCracken; Paterson (McCunnie 70), McIntyre, Miller (O’Donnell 74), Easton, Duff; Dodds (Hamilton 63), Lilley. Subs: Smart, Gallacher.
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