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Another Hampden clean sheet for Craig Gordon as Hoops march on to Scottish Cup final

 

- Mark Henderson

FROM back to front at Hampden, Celtic dominated Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final, with every player producing a top-class performance to ensure an afternoon of derby dominance and a place in next month’s Scottish Cup final.

There may have been moments in the match when Craig Gordon was able to stand back and enjoy the performance ahead of him as much as every other Celtic supporter at Hampden, but when required, the Scotland internationalist was able to deal confidently with any chances the opposition did manage to create, while always being an option for his defenders to utilise as Brendan Rodgers’ side built their attacks from the back.

Not surprisingly, the 34-year-old goalkeeper enjoyed the occasion – his third club appearance at the National Stadium this season without conceding a goal – while looking forward to the prospect of winning another trophy.

“We kept the ball really well and moved them about, especially in the first half, and we should probably have got more goals when we were on top as much as we were, but it was a great performance. We had real control in the game and if we’d got another one or two more goals I don’t think anyone could have complained.

“But it was a really good performance. It was what we set out to do – to keep the ball and keep them under pressure and eventually that told, and we got the two goals.