Celtic extra special in extra-time to book Scottish Cup final spot

Celtic extra special in extra-time to book Scottish Cup final spot Scottish Cup semi-final Sunday, April 19, 2026 Hampden Park, Glasgow CELTIC…6 (Maeda 1, Ralston 43+3, Iheanacho 95 & 100, McCowan 96, Nygren 102 ST MIRREN…2 (Mandron 53 & 90) (after extra-time) Celtic booked their place in the Scottish Cup final with a 6-2 extra-time victory over St Mirren at Hampden. After taking a 2-0 first-half lead thanks to goals from Daizen Maeda and Anthony Ralston, St Mirren scored twice in the second-half through Mikael Mandron to put the game into extra-time. But in a blistering first period of extra-time, Martin O’Neill’s side scored four goals without reply to put the tie beyond any doubt and spark scenes of celebration amongst the large Celtic support in the National Stadium.

Celtic wanted to get off to a strong start and they couldn’t have asked for any better than a goal from Daizen Maeda inside the first 60 seconds of the game. The Japanese internationalist closed down St Mirren goalkeeper, Ryan Mullen, blocking his attempted clearance, with the ball spinning back and into the net. It wouldn’t be the first time that Maeda caused the St Mirren defence problems with his pace and willingness to put the backline under pressure.

And on nine minutes, Arne Engels came close to doubling Celtic’s lead but his shot from the edge of the box hit the post and spun wide. On 15 minutes, St Mirren were forced into an early change when Ryan Mullen had to go off injured, with 17-year-old Grant Tamosevicius coming on. And the teenager soon pulled off a good save to deny first Benjamin Nygren and then moments later, Daizen Maeda.

With 30 minutes gone, St Mirren were denied an equaliser when Vil Sinisalo produced a stunning save from a Miguel Freckleton header, while the Finnish goalkeeper had a couple of nervy moments when his clearances were closed down by St Mirren players. But he was able to produce two saves to deny the Paisley side. With a minute remaining, St Mirren again capitalised on slack play at the back by Celtic, but Killian Phillips’ tame effort was wide of the target.