Strachan sympathy after Celtic Cup shootout epic

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan sympathised with opposite number Craig Levein after his side set up a Scottish League Cup final clash with Rangers following a penalty shoot-out win over Dundee United.

The Hoops edged an epic semi-final spotkick competition 11-10 when Australian striker Scott McDonald scored his second penalty after Celtic target Willo Flood sent his second effort crashing off Artur Boruc’s bar.

Despite the game at Hampden being goalless after extra time, the Celtic manager said it had been a treat for the fans and hailed United for their contribution.

“I really thought we were terrific and I think the game should have been finished before the shootout,” Strachan said.

“You’ve got to give credit to Dundee United for standing up and being counted. I can’t remember too many games as good as that.

“I have sympathy for Craig but I would be feeling sorry for myself if my team had been beaten. The two managers can be really delighted with the performances.”

The Celtic manager also had praise for United captain Lee Wilkie whose penalty was saved in the shootout.

The big central defender has suffered several career threatening injuries which have kept him out of the game for two years.

But Strachan said his comeback is inspirational and claimed he could be player of the year.

“I believe Lee Wilkie’s comeback from injury has been one of the outstanding things I’ve seen,” Strachan said.

“Like most people, I thought he was dead and buried for being out and I think he’s every right to be involved in player of the year.”

The match ended goalless after 120 minutes but was packed full of action.

It started at a frantic pace and Celtic had a chance through Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink with less than a minute gone.

Then a minute later Flood, a target for Celtic in the transfer window, went on a mazy run past several defenders before he forced Boruc into a good save from a low shot.

United goalkeeper Lucasz Zaluska, who will join Celtic in the summer, had to be alert to parry away a powerful Scott Brown drive from the edge of the box after 43 minutes.

Prince Buaben was inches away from putting the Arabs ahead when his shot from the edge of the box zipped past the post in the 73rd minute.

The game headed into extra time and with 95 minutes gone Wilkie had to stretch to knock sub Georgios Samaras’ cross out for a corner under pressure from McDonald.

In the 108th minute, Flood raced past Gary Caldwell and Loovens and angled his shot across Boruc but it bounced by the post.

With a minute remaining, Samaras thought he had clinched it for Celtic but his looping header crashed off the underside of the bar and out.