Celtic coasted past Aberdeen at Hampden Park on Saturday, winning 4-1 to book their place in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final.
Debutant Kris Commons took just six minutes to score his first goal for the club, with Charlie Mulgrew (pictured), Thomas Rogne and Anthony Stokes (with a penalty) all adding to Aberdeen’s misery before Scott Vernon’s scant consolation goal.
Winger Commons completed his move from Derby County on Thursday evening and made an immediate hit when collecting the loose ball after a Mark Wilson corner. He looked to cross the ball back into the area, but it went all the way in, beating Jamie Langfield at the back post and setting the Bhoys on their way to a big semi-final win.
It was 2-0 before ten minutes had been played as Commons’ corner was helped on by Stokes and Mulgrew ran in to head home.
Vernon hit the post as Craig Brown’s men looked for a quick riposte, but chances were otherwise few and far between for them, with the Bhoys going up the other end leading to Stokes’ shot being tipped onto the bar by Langfield.
Two became three from the corner that followed as Commons’ delivery fell for Mulgrew, and he sent in a set-up that Rogne headed over the line as the Dons’ defence was again found wanting.
Derek Young’s daft handball from Stokes’ free-kick then gave the Irishman a penalty, which he eased home as Langfield went the wrong way, the Dons’ goalkeeper having an entirely miserable day as his side trailed 4-0 at half-time.
Ryan Jack played Chris Maguire in for an Aberdeen chance early in the second half, but the striker kicked over after rounding Fraser Forster.
They did, however, get on the scoresheet when Maguire was felled by the corner flag. Rob Milson took the free-kick as Vernon rose to head beyond Forster.
However, that did not spark any great comeback as Commons and Celtic sub Patrick McCourt controlled the flow of play for the remainder.
Wilson did have to clear another late Vernon effort off the line after he beat Forster to the ball, but moments of panic were rare for the Bhoys, who march on to a final against either Rangers or Motherwell.