Celtic sailed into the Scottish Cup semi-finals with a dominant display at Tynecastle as they claimed a second win in three days over Hearts.
Ange Postecolgou’s side took another step to a treble as they booked their place in next month’s Hampden duels. It took just two minutes for Celtic to fire themselves in front and silence the home crowd. A superb move cut through Hearts with Jota’s cross finding Aaron Mooy who ghosted into the box to slot home. Celtic had the hosts rattled as they harried and pressed Hearts forcing errors.
After constant pressure early doors the Hoops were forced to weather a storm as Hearts threatened. Joe Hart pulled off a stunning save to prevent an equaliser, but Hatate responded up the other side forcing Clark into another save.
Celtic finished off Hearts with a killer second on the stroke of half time through a stunning finish from Kyogo. A cross down the right from Alistair Johnstone found the star man from Japan who cheekily flicked the ball into the net using his heel.
After the interval Celtic were on the back foot as the home side tried to scrap for an equaliser. Postecoglou brought on Kobayashi for the injured Starfelt as the Japanese defender’s resolve was tested. Celtic survived the onslaught to gain control in the game.
A header from Cameron Carter-Vickers on 80 minutes completely ended any chance of a Hearts revival as Postecoglou’s side marched on to Hampden. Here are three things we learned as Celtic sent a treble warning to their rivals.
Magic Mooy
Celtic’s midfield last season was very good. This season it seems to be even better.
Postecoglou has a fellow Aussie to thank in Aaron Mooy. The midfield ace has come into the engine room and provided more balance and even more goal threat.
Today he proved again why he was a key summer signing for the Hoops.
His finish inside the opening two minutes was executed like a striker. That’s 11 goals now from a central midfielder who seems to have found a different level in Glasgow.
Killer Kyogo
Kyogo Furuhashi is continuing to write his own script in Glasgow.
His Hampden double to seal the League Cup was followed up by another dazzling display in which he killed off Hearts before half time.
His sublime flick was of the highest quality. Add that onto his finish at Ibrox and Kyogo has popped up to finish off all of Celtic’s rivals this season.
Time for a treble?
You won’t get an answer from Postecoglou on this one.
But you’d be a fool to bet against the Australian boss smiling with all three trophies in the cabinet this season.
Celtic were handed the trickiest of fixtures for their Scottish Cup Quarter-Final but completely breezed past the third best side in the country.
They are now only 10 games away in the league and two games from another coveted treble.
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