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Celts squeeze past Saints to book final spot
GLASGOW (AFP) - A double for Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink handed Celtic a 2-1 victory over St Johnstone at Hampden to book their Scottish Cup final place.
The Dutch international's brace saw off a brave challenge from the First Division side, who had drawn level through Stephen McManus's own goal and battled with their more illustrious opponents to the final whistle of Saturday's semi-final.
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan was relieved his side had secured their passage to the final but paid tribute to St Johnstone's efforts.
He said: "It was a good game in terms of excitement - lots of shots and crosses and people got their money's worth.
"St Johnstone are a strong side with plenty of experience and because we couldn't kill them off it kept it an exciting semi-final.
"It was not a great game from us but there were good things to enjoy and we're proud to be in the final."
St Johnstone manager Owen Coyle thought his side were unlucky not have at least drawn the match.
He said: "The spirit, desire and hunger was there in abundance from the players and they showed that in the way they battled back on both occasions after losing a goal.
"Better teams than us would've buckled after going a goal down early on against Celtic but I thought we were unlucky not to at least take the game to a replay.
"It's fine getting all the plaudits for playing well but at the end of the day we have still lost and we are immensely disappointed about that."
Celtic had lived up to their favourites' billing in the opening stages, forcing St Johnstone onto the back foot.
However, it was St Johnstone who almost opened the scoring in the 11th minute.
Peter MacDonald's first time pass beat the offside trap to put Jason Scotland through on goal but the Trinidad and Tobago international's shot was too close to Celtic's Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc who saved comfortably.
Celtic were spurred into action by the near miss and they duly took the lead in the 13th minute.
Vennegoor of Hesselink latched on to a poor header by St Johnstone defender Kevin James.
He then rounded goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert, who appeared to catch the Dutchman's leg, causing him to fall to the ground, and referee Charlie Richmond pointed to the penalty spot.
Vennegoor of Hesselink took full advantage of the award with a low shot which struck the bottom of the post before finding the net.
This could have signalled the start of a Celtic walkover against their lower league opponents but in the 19th minute St Johnstone were level.
Paul Sheerin's cross into the penalty area found MacDonald who took a touch before lifting the ball over the head of Artur Boruc.
Although McManus managed to get his head to the ball on the line he could only help it into the net.
Celtic came out of the half-time break in a positive frame of mind and in the 54th minute they regained their lead.
A corner kick from Japanese star Shunsuke Nakamura found Vennegoor of Hesselink at the front post and he sent an unstoppable header past Cuthbert.
In the 74th minute Celtic stopper McManus made amends for scoring in his own net.
Martin Hardie played in Scotland with a delightful chipped pass and the Trinidadian rolled the ball under Boruc towards goal only for McManus to slide in to make a dramatic goal-line clearance. Celtic will now play either Hibernian or Dunfermline, who play the other semi at Hampden on Sunday, in the final on Saturday, May 26.
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