Celtic 3 - 1 Aberdeen

Aberdeen made a positive start in the pouring rain with Richard Buckley stating his intention in the opening minute with a 20-yard pop at goal that went harmlessly wide. Forceful play by Foster in the 13th minute gave the young striker a glimpse of goal, but Mulgrew reacted quickly to block the effort. From the resultant corner Diamond rose above everyone to power a header goalwards. Marshall in the Celtic goal knew little about it as it hit his shoulder and spun over the bar.

After enjoying all the early pressure the Dons found themselves a goal down after 16 minutes. A corner was swung in from the right and Low beat everyone in the air to give the favourites a lead they barely deserved. The goal gave Celtic a confidence boost and McKenzie was forced to head a corner off the line five minutes later. Aberdeen settled again, but were struggling to get a break of the ball in the dangerous areas.

Celtic came out all guns blazing in the second half and Hutton was forced to palm the ball to safety in the opening minute. However Aberdeen rolled up their sleeves and second half substitute Carella released Foster in the 50th minute, but the striker couldn?t keep the shot down. A minute later McCulloch was released wide right and his cross was scrambled clear before Foster tried a shot from long range, which the keeper fumbled on the slippery surface. Two minutes later Tarditi went close as the keeper only just managed to turn another low shot round the post.

After that good spell Celtic hit back with a few half chances and Aberdeen had David Hutton to thank in the 63rd minute when he made a superb save, turning a fierce Beattie shot round the post. Watson replaced Tarditi in the 65th minute and four minutes later the Dons grabbed a deserved equaliser. McCulloch was once again released on the right and his low cross found Foster at the far post. The young striker accepted the cross and turned the ball into the empty net to cheer up the large Dons support in the 1,946 crowd.

Aberdeen almost grabbed a dramatic lead in the first minute of extra time when Foster pounced on a defensive mix up only to see his effort blocked and roll agonisingly towards the line before being booted clear. Three minutes later Hutton gave the Dons fans palpitations as he fumbled an easy cross. Celtic then took the lead in the 95th minute when a Wallace cutback found Gardyne in glorious isolation at the far post. Six minutes later Wallace twisted and turned before crashing a shot off the bar.

Aberdeen were now looking a tired team as their efforts to draw level began to tell, but just on half time Carella should have levelled when his fierce shot was fired straight at Marshall. A shot either side would surely have resulted in a goal. Then with six minutes remaining Carella hit a great shot which looked to be heading into the roof of the net before Marshall tipped it to safety. Celtic added a third in the last minute with a deflected shot to confirm the victory.