An electric performance from Celtic saw them breeze through to the final of the Scottish Cup as they bulldozed St Johnstone 5-0 at Hampden Park.
Despite the game starting fairly even, a fine strike from Callum McGregor (34) opened the floodgates for the holders, with goals from Daizen Maeda (37, 45+1) and Adam Idah (45) blowing away St Johnstone before the half-time break.
Makenzie Kirk saw a stunning long-range drive ruled out early in the second-half for a foul in the build up as Simo Valakari’s side endured the grimmest of afternoons in Glasgow, before substitute Jota rubbed salt into wounds by slamming home Celtic’s fifth (67) in a game that was effectively dead by the time the second period had even began.
St Johnstone now return to Scottish Premiership action as they look to stave off a relegation to the second tier, but for Celtic, it’s full steam ahead in their quest for a domestic treble. They’ll face Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup back at Hampden Park on Saturday 24 May.
Here’s how The Scotsman rated the performance of each player in Celtic’s 5-0 win over St Johnstone at Hampden Park:
21. Adam Idah (Celtic) - 8/10
An overhit ball to Maeda just after the half hour mark was poor, but played his part in the opener with clever forward play and bagged a much needed goal just before the break. A big performance from the Irishman. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
22. Adama Sidibeh (St Johnstone) - 5/10
Good strength to shove off CCV early on. Aggressive, and gave both centre-backs something to consider early on. But faded into nothingness, like many of his teammates, as Celtic took control. | SNS Group
23. Celtic substitutes
Jota - 8 (Grabbed another goal, and continues to build up match fitness). Kuhn - 7 (Played his part in the fifth with a smart ball to Alistair Johnston). McCowan - 6 (Kept things ticking over in the middle, but the game was done by the time of his introduction) Ralston - 6 (Came on for Johnston late in the game). | PA Photo: PA
24. GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 20: St Johnstone's Makenzie Kirk (R) celebrates pulling a goal back but the goal is disallowed by VAR during a Scottish Gas Menâs Scottish Cup Semi-Final match between St. Johnstone and Celtic at Hampden Park, on April 20, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Makenzie Kirk 7 - (Backheeled effort deserved a goal, though it would have mattered little as it was offside. Scored a goal of the season contender shortly afterwards - only for it to be ruled off. Sparked some life into a St Johnstone side who were dead and buried by the time he went onto the pitch). Benji Kimpioka - 5 (Barely had a kick). Taylor Steven - 5 (Unable to stop the tide of Celtic attacks). Josh McPake - 5 (Simply up against better players, and barely had a touch). Uche Ikpeazu - 5 (Made his first appearance of the season from the bench). | SNS Group