Rangers vs Celtic. Scottish Cup Semi-Final.
Hampden ParkAttendance50,069.
Wednesday 27 April 2016 15:35, UK
Rangers secured a place in the final of the Scottish Cup with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Old Firm rivals Celtic at Hampden Park on Sunday.
Tom Rogic missed the decisive spot-kick for Ronny Deila's side after the match had earlier finished 2-2.
Kenny Miller had put the Gers in front early on before Erik Sviatchenko levelled the tie shortly after the half time break.
Barrie McKay restored Rangers advantage with a superb strike in extra-time but Celtic hit back for a second time through Rogic to take the match to a penalty shootout.
After a typically frenetic start, the game's opening chance fell to Miller, who collected a well-timed through ball only to fire his shot straight at Craig Gordon.
At the other end, Celtic captain Scott Brown dragged a shot wide before Leigh Griffiths flashed a dangerous low drive across the face of the goal. However, it was the Championship side that would take the lead just minutes later.
Miller, playing against his former club, capitalised on a mistake at the back from Brown to put the Ibrox side ahead from eight yards out.
Celtic had been second best up until the goal but should have drawn level ten minutes before the break.
Griffiths, who had appeared isolated at times during the first half, received the ball just outside the post and look to have guided a superb finish past Wes Foderingham - only to see his shot cannon back off the left hand post.
The ball rebounded to an unmarked Roberts ten yards out but the Manchester City loanee could only guide his shot wide with the goal wide open.
Deila's side came out after the break firing and won a series of successive corners as the pressure mounted on the Rangers goal.
And after three unsuccessful deliveries, the ball fell to Sviatchenko who, on as a first half substitute for Dedryck Boyata, rose highest to power a magnificent header past Holt on the line.
Griffiths then wasted a good chance to put his side ahead - uncharacteristically firing over from inside the box.
After an end-to-end first hour, the pace of the match finally began to slow and both sides found chances harder to come by, with Nir Bitton going closest with header in the final minutes of normal time.
Five minutes into extra time Mark Warburton's side retook the lead under controversial circumstances.
After being awarded an incorrect throw-in decision inside Celtic's half, Rangers worked the ball to McKay, who unleashed a stunning strike past Gordon into the top right-hand corner from 25 yards out.
However, Celtic responded in perfect fashion and equalised for a second time through Rogic, who finished well after good work out wide from Keiran Tierney.
The 23 year-old Australian, who had come on as a second half substitute, was then denied by Foderingham as the Hoops pushed for a late winner.
With just two minutes remaining Rangers conceded a free-kick 30 yards out from goal. Griffiths stepped up to take it and struck a magnificent shot, only to hit the woodwork for the second time in the match.
As a result, the match moved to penalties - the first competitive shootout between the two clubs.
After both sides had scored five and missed two, Nicky Law gave Rangers the edge with a calm finish to the keeper's left.
And Rogic, who had taken the match to penalties with his extra-time equaliser, blazed over from 12 yards out to seal a memorable win for the Blue side of Glasgow.
Defeat increases the pressure on Deila, who has come under fire from some sections of the Celtic support following a number of lacklustre performances this season.
Rangers will now face Hibernian in the final following the Easter Road club's 4-2 victory on penalties over Dundee United on Saturday.
The final, due to be held at Hampden Park on May 21, will be the first in history to be contested between two clubs outside the top division of Scottish football.