A double from striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink gave Celtic a 2-1 win over St Johnstone in their Scottish FA Cup semi-final on Saturday.
Vennegoor of Hesselink put Celtic ahead in the 12th minute with a penalty, Martin Hardie equalised six minutes later and the Dutchman headed the winner early in the second half.
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan savoured the victory, saying: "I never played in a good semi-final, but that was a good one and we are in the final. Our passing at times was a bit of a problem, but all the work we′ve done during the season is catching up on us," he told BBC Radio.
Second-division Saints had the first chance when Trinidad and Tobago striker Jason Scotland surged through on goal only to delay his shot and have it blocked for a corner which Peter MacDonald headed narrowly over the top.
Celtic made them pay when Vennegoor of Hesselink put Celtic ahead from the penalty spot after he tumbled under a challenge from Saints keeper Kevin Cuthbert. The Dutch striker fired a powerful, low effort in off the bottom of the right post.
"For me it was a penalty, he touched me and it was the right decision by the referee," Vennegoor of Hesselink said.
Six minutes later, Saints levelled when Martin Hardie lobbed an angled shot over keeper Artur Boruc and back-tracking Celtic defender Stephen McManus could only head the ball into the roof of the net from about a metre as he tried to clear.
Vennegoor of Hesselink headed a near post effort past keeper Cuthbert in the 54th minute for the winner, but Celtic had to soak up sustained pressure from Saints in the closing stages.
"We are focussed now on (the final on) May 26 and I hope I have two prizes to take away with me on holiday," the Dutchman said, referring also to the Premier League title Celtic are poised to win.
Hibernian meet Dunfermline in Sunday′s semi-final.
03 02 2007
Second division St Johnstone beat Falkirk 3-0 in the Scottish FA Cup on Saturday to claim a quarter-final slot.
Saints led 2-0 at the break with headed goals from Martin Hardie and skipper Kevin James before Peter MacDonald secured the win with a low shot for the third.
Saints had bowed out of the League Cup semi-finals 3-1 after extra time in midweek to Hibernian.
Holders Hearts went out of the tournament 1-0 at Dunfermline in their fourth round tussle following a stoppage time goal from Scott Wilson.
