Celtic 3-0 Motherwell: Bhoys winners again

Celtic end two-year trophy draught in Hampden triumph

By ANDREW SOUTHWICK at Hampden

NEIL Lennon saw a troubled season end on a high as Celtic romped the Scottish Cup final.

Goals from Ki Sung Yueng, Charlie Mulgrew, and an own goal from Stephen Craigan sealed a 3-0 win for the Hoops.

On a drizzly day at Hampden, the sun shone on Celtic with a comprehensive win over the Fir Park men.

Anthony Stokes again had to make do with a place on the bench in a big game, with his hotel heroics no doubt having some effect on Neil Lennon's decision.

After a month of resting players, Stuart McCall was able to call on a full strength side as they searched for their first Scottish Cup since 1991.

Their dreams almost came crashing down around them within the first minute.

It took just 40 seconds for Celtic to get their first corner of the game, Motherwell couldn't clear their lines and Kris Common's floated ball from the left found Gary Hooper in space, who poked the ball off the bar.

Motherwell were struggling to find any rhythm but showed their danger on the counter attack shortly after.

Stephen Craigan tripped Georgios Samaras as he bore down on the box. The free-kick was taken quickly as Celtic tried to take advantage of Motherwell's nervous start, but Craigan was aware to stab the ball away to set up a lightning counter attack. Chris Humprey got clear on the right, but his cross was a little rushed and couldn't meet John Sutton.

Daniel Majstorovic was the first booking of the day after ten minutes when his scything challenge found the shin of his opponent.

Shaun Hutchinson had to be alive in the 13th minute as Charlie Mulgrew's teasing cross floated across the goalmouth, but his intervention bounced into Darren Randolph's hands.

Keith Lasley was in the book a minute later as Motherwell tried to get forward. As he raced through a glut of hooped shirts the ball moved too quick for him, and he caught Glenn Loovens as he lunged forward.

Scott Brown was next to pick up a yellow card as referee Calum Murray was kept busy, appearing to lead with the elbow as he challenged Steven Hammell.

We were at the 20th minute mark though, and Motherwell had survived a rather meak onslaught from the favourites. It didn't stop Stuart McCall patrolling the touchline trying to co-ordinate everything.

The Hoops have no problems putting a good ball into the box these days, with Mark Wilson and Charlie Mulgrew both capable. Both tested the Steelmen's defence as they tried to find Samaras and Hooper in the 22nd minute, but neither could direct their headers at the 'keeper despite being given space by their markers.

Brown was thwarted two minutes later as he raced down the left. He skipped one challenge but was denied by Hutchinson's perfectly timed challenge on the edge of the box.

It was all Celtic now as Motherwell were being pushed deeper and deeper, with John Sutton the only man in claret and amber in the opposition half.

Half an hour played and already we had five yellow cards. Ki Sung Yueng uncharacteristically flew in with a late challenge and could have little complaint as Murray added his name to the book.

However, he was to go in the book for another reason just a minute later as he opened the scoring with a scorching left foot shot. Outside the box with options either side of him, he elected to crack a 40 yard lazer into the bottom corner that gave a fully stretched Randolph little chance.

It was only his fourth goal of the season, and an unlikely man to break the deadlock, but his goal now asked Motherwell probing questions. They had yet to force a save from Fraser Foster but could they now hit back to score twice in the remaining hour of the game?

Their response was instant. Gavin Gunning cannoned a long range shot off the bar, which unfortunately for the Lanarkshire men bounced the wrong side of the goal line.

Motherwell then felt Celtic should have been down to ten men. Majstorovic handled the ball outside his own box with no pressure on him, but despite a yellow card already to his name Murray ignored pleas to give him a second. Shortly after, Sutton fell to the ground inside the box under pressure from Mulgrew, but it would have been soft and Murray again was unimpressed.

Although both decisions were probably correct, Murray confused everyone when he ignored Stephen Craigan's blatant handball in 42 minutes. The Motherwell captain slipped just outside his own box, but clearly punched the ball clear as he lay on the ground. To the bemusement of everyone the referee played on.

Motherwell may not have been offering much going forward, however they could not be faulted at the back, with the back line winning most of their challenges. But they went in at half-time down by a goal and with McCall being left with a lot to do to change the course of the game.

It was all Celtic for the first five minutes of the second half, as they passed and probed while Motherwell – wary of losing a killer second – sat back and tried to keep their shape. It was paying dividends until a 52nd minute corner wasn't dealt with and Hooper was almost able to back heel into the net.

Celtic 'keeper Fraser Forster had his first save of note a minute later, Chris Humphrey firing a volley straight at him from the right hand side.

Stephen Craigan was the hero in the semi-final, but he was so nearly the villain in the 55th minute. Mulgrew's cross didn't look dangerous, but was at an awkward height for the Northern Irishman who elected to let it pass him for a throw in. However, Samaras was right behind him and should have taken advantage to fire home, but didn't expect it.

The game started to fly from end to end. First Mulgrew had to head away from near his own goal line, before the counter attack saw Samaras surge clear but he couldn't control the ball in the wet conditions and eventually was crowded out just yards from goal.

Celtic still looked the more potent of the two sides and Mulgrew found space on the left in 64 minutes, but Tom Hateley blocked his shot. The pressure was still on and Hooper beat the offside trap to fire a low ball across the six yard box but there were no takers to his kind invitation.

A minute later and Hutchinson kept the game at 1-0 as the favourites continued to pour forward. Commons surged past his marker on the right. Randolph narrowed the angle so Commons nudged the ball left towards Hooper but Hutchinson raced in to knock it clear.

Stokes made his entrance in the 68th minute, replacing Samaras who had played with plenty of endeavour but looked weary and possibly injured as he trudged off.

At 1-0 the game was still alive but Motherwell were struggling to get out of their own half. With only twenty minutes left McCall brought on an extra striker in Francis Jeffers, with Stevie Hammell making way.

Randolph was still the busier of the two keepers though and again was worked as Commons hit a low snap shot at him in 74 minutes.

On 76 minutes it was all over. Celtic came forward again, always looking like they had an extra man. Mark Wilson took on Commons' cut-back and fired low into the area. Craigan had not had the best of days and his outstretched foot took the ball beyond Randolph and sealed his side's fate.

It looked more likely to be a third for the Hoops rather than a grandstand finish. Emilio Izaguirre raced into the middle but was well challenged, before Commons also had an effort but this time the lethal finish wasn't there and he put it well over.

87 minutes and that third goal came, with Charlie Mulgrew finishing off a dream return season to Celtic with a trademark free-kick. Mulgrew, who had opened the scoring with a free-kick into the same net in the semi-final win over Aberdeen, curled a delightful effort round the wall which Randolph saw too late to stop.

Motherwell forced a series of corners as the game died and their supporters began to drift away, but again it was Celtic who always looked more dangerous and Stokes fired over from close range that would have equalled the scoreline in the league win a week earlier.

As it was, it finished 3-0, however defiance in defeat was replaced by celebrations as Neil Lennon landed his first trophy as manager, the Parkhead club's 35th Scottish Cup.

Motherwell will think what might have been had Gunning's first half effort landed in the net but in truth they could have no complaints as Celtic's class shone through.

Man of the Match: Ki Sung Yueng (Celtic)

Celtic: Forster, Izaguirre, Majstorovic, Brown, Samaras (Stokes 68), Wilson, Commons (Forrest 82), Sung Yueng, Mulgrew, Loovens, Hooper (McCourt 88).

Subs unused: Zaluska, Du-Ri.

Motherwell: Randolph, Gunning, Hammell (Jeffers 72), Hutchinson, Craigan, Hateley, Humphrey, Jennings, Murphy (Jones 80), Lasley, Sutton.

Subs unused: Hollis, Saunders, Forbes.

Referee: Calum Murray

Attendance: 49, 618.