Scottish League Cup semi-final Saturday, November 2 Hampden Park, Glasgow CELTIC…6 (Carter-Vickers 29, Kyogo 32, Maeda 40, 49 & 85, Kuhn 59) ABERDEEN…0 The Celts are through to the final of the Scottish League Cup after a simply sensational 5-0 victory over Aberdeen at Hampden Park thanks to goals from Cameron Carter-Vickers, Kyogo, Nicolas Kuhn and a hat-trick from Daizen Maeda. Celtic had the better of the play in the opening stages of the match, and it was clear to see that Brendan Rodgers’ pre-match call for speed in attack and a composure at all times had been realised. The weather conditions at Hampden took a turn for the worse within the first 20 minutes of the match as the heavens opened, causing the pitch to become faster and slicker, which, in truth, suited the Celts. Just before the half-hour mark, the Hoops took a deserved lead as Cameron Carter-Vickers, only recently back from injury, bulleted a header in to the net in front of the travelling Aberdeen supporters from Arne Engels’ pinpoint corner-kick. Less than three minutes later, Kyogo doubled Celtic’s advantage after a blistering counter-attack. Nicolas Kuhn flicked the ball on to Daizen Maeda, who had to work hard to send the ball forward in to space to chase. Despite being at least 10 yards behind Jack Mackenzie, Maeda, unsurprisingly, reached the ball first and was able to square it to Kyogo just inside the box. Kyogo needed no further invitation as he smashed his shot in off the underside of the bar to give the Celts some breathing space. The speed of the playing surface seemed to benefit Brendan Rodgers’ side massively, and in the 40th minute, the Hoops stormed forward through the rain at a speed of knots once again and took a three-goal lead. This time, Kyogo’s hard work was enough to deliver the ball to Nicolas Kuhn, who in turn slipped the ball to Maeda in the box. Maeda was classy and composed as he stroked the ball past Mitov to make it 3-0 and give Aberdeen a mountain to climb. Delighted with what they were witnessing from their heroes in green and white, the massive Celtic support inside Hampden was rousing in its rendition of Piling on the Agony as the Hoops continued to put on the style. As well as being devastating in attack, the work-rate of the Celts in defence was equally as impressive, leaving the Aberdeen attack scratching their heads questioning how they could possibly claw their way back in to the match.Jimmy Thelin made two changes at half time, replacing Keskinen and Duk with Shayden Morris (scorer of Aberdeen’s winner on Wednesday night) and Ante Palaversa. There was no change to the Celtic line-up or the attacking intent of the side, and less than five minutes in to the second period, Celtic’s spot in the League Cup final was secured as Maeda made it 4-0. It was almost a brilliant solo goal from Nicolas Kuhn as he weaved and battled his way in to the box with guile. His effort was parried in to the path of Maeda however, who was left to tap it in to an empty net. Kuhn may have been denied a good finish in the build-up to Celtic’s fourth, but the German winger grabbed a spectacular goal to make it 5-0 in the 59th minute as he curled a left-footed effort in to the top corner from the edge of the box after a clever pass from Engels. The show was far from over for the Celtic support as Daizen grabbed his hat-trick in the 85th minute after a piece of brilliance from Paulo Bernardo who flicked the ball to Alistair Johnston, allowing the full back the chance to square it to Maeda for his third and Celtic’s sixth. Brendan Rodgers’ side will now wait to see who they will face in the Scottish League Cup final in December as they prepare for a massive Champions League at Paradise on Tuesday night.FixturesCeltic Vs. Aberdeen – Sat, Nov 2nd 2024, 17:30
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