Celtic hit new low as Ross County stun them in Cup

Celtic face finishing the season without any silverware when they sensationally crashed out of the Scottish Cup after First Division minnows Ross County pulled off a shock 2-0 semi-final win at Hampden on Saturday.

The former Highland League side, in their first ever semi-final appearance, dominated the match against a Celtic side who were competing for their only realistic chance of a trophy this season.

Steven Craig gave County a well deserved lead ten minutes into the second-half with a superbly taken solo goal.

Martin Scott then wrapped things up for the giant-killers when he bundled home with two minutes to go to send County in the Scottish Cup final for the first time in their 81-year history.

It was the 14th and most surprising defeat of the season for Celtic, who are 13 points behind Rangers in the race for the championship.

County manager Derek Adams said it has been a magnificent performance from his side.

“We passed the ball well and created opportunities and the game plan worked,” the 34-year-old said.

“It was a tremendous day for us and in the second-half we have shown that belief that we knew that we could win the game. It is a massive result in Scottish football.”

Celtic’s caretaker manager Neil Lennon said he had told his players what he thought of them.

“Whether I am here of not next season I told them I’m pretty sure some of them won’t be” said the former Celtic and Northern Ireland midfielder.

“We were nowhere near good enough. There was only one team out there that wanted to win today and that was Ross County and I would like to congratulate them.”

County’s Andrew Barrowman was the first to try his luck with a drive from the edge of the box which trickled harmlessly past the post. At the other end Alexander Keddie put in a great tackle to stop Robbie Keane in his tracks as the Irish international beat the off-side trap and raced in on goal.

Michael Gardyne showed great skill to dribble past two Hoops defenders and set up Richard Brittain for a shot but his fierce strike was blocked. Zaluska had to be alert to turn over a Scott Morrison cross from the left which looked like it was going to dip under his bar.

The Staggies kept up the pressure at the start of the second-half with Iain Vigurs picking out Craig unmarked in the box but the striker snatched wildly at his first-time volley which flew high and wide.

However he made amends in the 55th minute when he gave County the lead with a tremendous solo goal.

Craig picked up the ball close to the half-way line and burst through the Celtic defence before lifting the ball over Josh Thompson and slamming it past Zaluska into the bottom left-hand corner from just inside the box.

Their Premier League opponents looked stunned and County spurned a couple of chances to double their lead through Scott and Gardyne. Fortune missed a golden chance to bring the Hoops level in the 66th minute but his weak shot was deflected out for a corner.

County came closest to another goal in the 79th minute when Brittain stung the hands of Zaluska with a fierce rising drive from 20 yards.

McGovern then pulled off a tremendous save from Samaras to knock the striker’s shot from Aiden McGeady’s cross off the post. The Staggies doubled their lead in the 88th minute. Barrowman charged into the box and his cross was bundled over the line by Scott to cap a remarkable performance.