League Cup semi-final Tuesday February 5th

Celtic 1

Rangers 2

after extra time

1:0 Lovencrap (45); 1:1 Balde (73); 2:1 Fouleyman (110)

Att: 59,609

MIB: Stuart Dougal

Celtic: Douglas Mjallby, Balde, Valgaeren Agathe, Lennon, Lambert (Moravcik ), Petrov (Petta),Thompson; Hartson (Sutton), Larsson

A nightmare at Hampden. I had to sit beside TFOD. Only the Police separated us. My mind is stills scarred from the experience. It was like an incarnation of Dante's hell, with the demons, imps and trolls, bedecked in the Loyalist paraphernalia that passes for high fashion in Kinning Park, brandishing UVF flags and screeching their sectarian battle hymns through slobbering maws. I was half expecting to see some of them spin their heads and spew like Linda Blair in the Exorcist.

The slavering hordes were soon defecating on their seats as Celtic stormed forward early doors. Four clean chances were created in the first 10 minutes. Hartson fluffed his when it was easier to score, the post saved TFOD on another, and Larsson was denied by Klot's heel as he nut-megged him in front of goal.

The writing was then on the wall, but it took 45 minutes for Eck's minions to get a single chance and, inevitably, they scored from it. Following a comedy free kick routine from Lorenzo and Co the ball ricocheted through to the Celtic box. Mjallbystumbled and failed to clear the ball ball. Lovenkrands stole in and scored from an acute angle.

The game swung in favour of TFOD until Bobo levelled in 73 minutes. Then disaster struck as the big man conceded a penalty. The cloven hooves duly missed, but took the initiative.

The replacement of Lambert with Lubo then backfired as the game went to extra time. Cue the impossible, as Konterman defied form and belief to blast home a 35 yard shot that ended Celtic treble hopes.

No complaints here. We had the chances. We blew it.