Socceroo Tom Rogic has gone from hero to villain as Rangers beat Celtic 5-4 on penalties after the two fierce Glasgow “Old Firm” rivals battled to a 2-2 draw following extra time in an epic Scottish FA Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.
The Celtic attacking midfielder had levelled the scores late with a vital extra-time goal, before his missed penalty – blazed high and wide – consigned the heavyweights to a shock loss on Sunday.
Rangers, who have just won promotion back to the Scottish Premiership after four years exile in the lower divisions following their financial troubles, clinched the tie to send the champions-elect out.
Rangers, who won the Championship (second tier) title and promotion this month, will face Hibernian in an all-Championship final at Hampden on May 21.
Rangers went ahead after 16 minutes when veteran striker Kenny Miller, 36, one of only five players since World War Two to play for both clubs, took advantage of poor Celtic defending to turn and shoot past goalkeeper Craig Gordon.
Celtic, who had been second best for most of the first half, took control after the restart and substitute Erik Sviatchenko equalised with a bullet header after 50 minutes.
Barry McKay swung the match Rangers way with a stunning 30-metre strike in the sixth minute of extra time, before Rogic scored Celtic’s second equaliser 10 minutes later hitting low and hard.
Hibs secured their place in the final when they beat Dundee United, the bottom club in the Premiership, 4-2 on penalties after the their semi ended 0-0 after extra time at Hampden Park on Saturday.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Really hopes Rogic finds a new club in a better league during the next window.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
Not the game you to be doing that in, good to see Celtic fans getting around him and not holding him responsible obviously they wouldn't have even made it to the shootout if it weren't for Rogic's equalizer.
lester
Guest
Scott Brown should have buried his penalty and instead it dribbled straight towards the keeper.
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
Really enjoyed this match. No doubt hysterical people will blame Rogic for his missed penalty in the shoot out, but more rational people will realise 2 other Celtic players also missed when they had the chance to blast Rangers away. Rangers missed their 2nd penalty and, with Celtic taking penalties after Rangers, the Celtic player had a massive opportunity to simply slot it home & give Celtic the advantage. But, instead he smashed it against the crossbar. Again, Rangers missed their 4th penalty. This time the Celtic captain had a chance to steady his team & give Celtic a massive advantage - if he had scored & Rangers missed; Celtic were through without taking their final penalty. But, the captain missed. So, blaming Tom Rogic is ridiculous. In fact, Rogic turned the match. After he came on Celtic actually had purpose in their attacking 1/3rd. Blame the Celtic manager. If he'd brought Rogic on earlier there probably wouldn't have been Extra Time or a shoot out.