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| Last Updated: Saturday, 14 April 2007, 13:29 GMT 14:29 UK  
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St Johnstone 1-2 Celtic
| 
 Vennegoor of Hesselink celebrates his opening goal at Hampden
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Celtic remain on course for a domestic Double after a hard-fought win over a battling St Johnstone in their Scottish Cup semi-final. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink netted an early penalty but the Perth side hit back with a lob from Martin Hardie. Celtic's Dutch striker then grabbed his second goal with a straightforward header from a corner. The First Division side turned in an impressive display and the Celtic defence was kept busy throughout.  Interview: Celtic manager Gordon Strachan
Interview: Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink
Interview: St Johnstone manager Owen Coyle
St Johnstone squandered a great early chance when Jason Scotland ran clear of the Celtic defence only to delay his shot, allowing Stephen McManus to recover and make a lunging block. Celtic were handed a 12th minute penalty when Vennegoor of Hesselink latched on to a poor defensive header and went down as goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert sprawled across the turf. The Saints keeper got nowhere near the ball but neither did he make contact with the Dutch international, who fired home the spot-kick via a post. It was tough luck on Owen Coyle's side but they responded with a fine equaliser six minutes later. Paul Sheerin's pass found Hardie who cleverly flicked the ball over advancing keeper Artur Boruc, while McManus could only head the lobbed effort into his own net from underneath the crossbar. Saints could have scored again when Peter MacDonald burst through on goal but he fired straight into the arms of Boruc. Celtic forward Derek Riordan did well to squeeze past two players only for his close-range shot to be blocked by Cuthbert. The St Johnstone keeper then had to tip away a Vennegoor of Hesselink header before Aiden McGeady sliced the ball over the bar from a decent position and Riordan headed over. Following a sluggish first 45 minutes, the Celtic midfield came to life after the restart and Paul Hartley burst forward only for Cuthbert push away his stinging shot. However, the keeper was picking the ball out of the net moments later when Vennegoor of Hesselink rose to head in a Shunsuke Nakamura corner. Riordan then stole in behind the Saints defence but made a mess of an attempted lob as Cuthbert raced out. St Johnstone rallied again and Boruc gathered a chip from MacDonald after the striker had wriggled away from two opponents. Celtic defender Lee Naylor had to make a great sliding block as Scotland turned to shoot eight yards from goal. Boruc was at full-stretch to hold a powerful header from Hardie and McManus made a goal-line clearance as Scotland squeezed a shot under the Polish goalkeeper. Celtic were pressed back and defending in numbers as Saints skipper Kevin James headed another good chance over the crossbar. With the game stretched in the closing stages, Cuthbert had to look smart to keep out a fierce shot from Celtic substitute Thomas Gravesen. And Boruc made a flying save to beat away a Sheerin piledriver that was to be Saints' last chance.
Coyle finds defeat hard to take
|  Coyle watched his side push Celtic hard at Hampden
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St Johnstone manager Owen Coyle was frustrated to lose out to Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final. "We certainly didn't deserve to lose on the day," Coyle told BBC Sport. "It's hard to take. "I'm pleased we pushed the SPL leaders all the way but the bottom line is that we're out of the cup. "I can't ask for any more than the players gave. I'm gutted for them. It's not often Celtic fans are calling for the final whistle like that." Interview: St Johnstone manager Owen Coyle
Celtic's opening goal came from a contentious penalty won and converted by Jan Venneggor of Hesselink. And St Johnstone manager Owen Coyle was not convinced by the award. "At the time I thought it was soft," he said. "It could have been given, but equally I've seen them not given." Saints had a good chance to go in front just before the opening goal when striker Jason Scotland found space on the left and was allowed a clear run towards the penalty area. "He missed and they went up the park and got a penalty from it and scored," added Coyle. "That shows you, when you're playing these real quality teams you have to concentrate, and goals change games. "But credit to my players for their response, and their attitude and desire to get back into the game against the SPL champions - they're a First Division side, you've got to remember. "I thought the spirit they showed was second to none. "To go 1-0 down against the champions it would be very easy to buckle, but nothing could be further from the truth. "We came back and then some, and took the game on and looked to try to win."
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樓主: 奧雲仔仔
發表於 07-4-15 11:17 PM
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