After dismantling Kilmarnock 5-1 at Celtic Park the previous weekend, Celtic marched into Hampden Park and delivered another statement – a blistering 5-0 triumph over St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup semi-final. It wasn’t just a win; it was the performance of a side intent on sweeping every trophy in sight.
The early exchanges were cagey, but the breakthrough came in the 33rd minute when captain Callum McGregor rifled in a magnificent strike. It was the spark that lit the fire. The Hoops never looked back. Just four minutes later, Daizen Maeda doubled the lead with a composed finish, leaving the Saints keeper rooted. Adam Idah then made it three before the interval, silencing doubters who had questioned his place in the squad.
Maeda struck again moments before half-time – his second of the afternoon and his 34th of the campaign – as Celtic stormed into the break with a 4-0 cushion.
St Johnstone thought they had pulled one back in the 53rd minute, but their joy was cut short when the effort was ruled out for a foul on James Forrest.
Celtic’s response was to push for more. In the 67th minute, Nicolas Kühn combined with Alistair Johnston, whose pinpoint cross found Jota at the far post.
The winger finished with style, sparking a rapturous chorus of “Jota on the wing” from the green-and-white faithful.
Maeda came close to securing another hat-trick, but it wasn’t to be. Still, the job was emphatically done.
Celtic now shift focus to sealing the Premiership title next weekend at Tannadice.