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[monks data]
Rangers logo
Scottish League Cup | Semi-finals
Oct 23, 2016 at 2.15pm UK
 
Celtic logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Dembele (88')

Late Moussa Dembele strike fires Celtic into final

Dembele strike fires Celtic into final
© SilverHub
Moussa Dembele finds the net late on to fire Celtic into the Scottish League Cup final at the expense of Rangers.

A last-ditch strike from Moussa Dembele has helped Celtic to a 1-0 victory over arch rivals Rangers and secured their place in the final of the Scottish League Cup.

The Hoops dominated but the Old Firm encounter looked destined for extra time before the Frenchman combined with strike partner Leigh Griffiths and netted in the 88th minute.

Celtic started the afternoon on the front foot, creating their first chance with just 10 minutes on the clock as Scott Sinclair picked out Tom Rogic and the Australian fired over the crossbar via a deflection.

Five minutes later, the Hoops were on the attack again, with Sinclair shaking off his marker and going for goal, forcing an acrobatic save out of Gers keeper Matt Gilks.

A mistimed pass from Gilks to Jason Holt almost handed Celtic the lead in the 22nd minute, but Rogic failed to capitalise on the goalkeeper's error and the first half ended goalless.

Brendan Rodgers's side upped the ante after the break and had the ball in the net in the 49th minute as Erik Sviatchenko headed home, only to have his goal ruled out for a foul on Clint Hill.

Rangers' best chance to move ahead came in the 58th minute when James Tavernier's cross found Holt in the box, but his goal-bound effort was blocked by Jozo Simunovic, who produced a vital interception.

With 68 minutes played, Sinclair struck the woodwork for Celtic, his curling free kick smacking again the crossbar before landing safely into the arms of Gilks.

Rodgers's men continued to control the action into the closing stages and carved out a deserved winner two minutes from time when Griffiths got in behind the Rangers defence and lined up Dembele in front of goal, the Frenchman meeting the cross with a deft flick to lift the ball beyond the reach of Gilks and into the net.

Celtic will take on Aberdeen, who defeated Morton in Saturday's other semi, in the final on November 27.

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Mark Langshaw
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