Treble on as Larsson breaks record

Henrik Larsson celebrates his opening goal

Celtic 3-1 Dundee United

Henrik Larsson broke Charlie Nicholas's post-war Scottish scoring record to keep Celtic's Treble dreams alive.

Larsson scored one in each half of a semi-final in which they failed to impress but were rarely threatened by Dundee United.

The Swede then unselfishly set up substitute Jackie McNamara to add the third and keep Celtic on the road to their 31st Scottish Cup victory.

Derek Lilley got one back for United, but it was no more than a consolation for the side whose recent resurgence looks like saving them from relegation.

Goals 48 and 49 of the season for Larsson came after a rare, five-game drought with club and country.

Biggest threat

And it seems odds-on that he will add a few more to his tally before Celtic face Hibernian in May's final.

Chris Sutton had made his expected return to the Celtic frontline after suspension in place of Tommy Johnson.

Larsson beats Jim Lauchlan to the ball

United manager Alex Smith knew that the Larsson-Sutton partnership could be the difference between the sides and end his own dreams of becoming the first manager north of the Border to win the trophy with three different clubs.

So it proved, with £6m man Sutton providing the cross that allowed Larsson to beat Jim Lauchlan at the near post to head home the winning goal.

A minute's silence was observed before kick-off for Rangers legend Jim Baxter, who died of cancer on Saturday.

But even the great man would have found it difficult to put on a show of skill on a pitch not worthy of the national stadium.

That did not stop Celtic making a spirited start as they showed no signs of suffering from a championship-winning hangover.

Threatened first

United were unchanged, which meant a place at right-back for Jamie McCunnie on his eighteenth birthday.

But it was the man on the other flank, Jamie Buchan, who was given a harrowing afternoon by Didier Agathe in a position that is far from the United youngster's favourite.

Didier Agathe passes David Hannah

Yet it was United who threatened first, Charlie Miller's 22-yard drive flying just a few feet over.

A Steven Thompson cross then caused panic in the Celtic defence and Lilley appeared to be barged in the back by Paul Lambert.

But referee Hugh Dallas waved away the penalty claims.

Celtic settled and Sutton's header from five yards took a deflection and on to the United crossbar after 26 minutes.

The cross had been supplied by Larsson and Sutton returned the compliment by beating Jason De Vos to the by-line to set up the opener.

Larsson dived as Lauchlan hesitated and his powerful flick beat goalkeeper Paul Gallagher at the near post.

Heels clipped

United threw on Jim Hamilton after the break and only a late, six-yard box challenge by Ramon Vega prevented the striker making an instant impact.

Just as United began to threaten, Larsson had his heels clipped as he twisted past Danny Griffen on the edge of the box after 78 minutes.

Dallas ruled that it had been inside the box and Larsson drove the ball home from the spot.

A minute later, Larsson found McNamara in the clear on the edge of the box and the midfielder drove the ball into the far corner.

Lilley stole in to round Robert Douglas to make the scoreline more respectable after 84 minutes.

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Celtic: Douglas, Mjallby, Vega, Valgaeren, Agathe, Lennon, Lambert, Moravcik, Thompson, Sutton, Larsson.

Subs: Gould, Boyd, McNamara, Johnson, Healy.

Dundee Utd: Gallacher, De Vos, Griffin, Lauchlan, Hannah, Easton, Buchan, Miller, McCunnie, Lilley, Thompson.

Subs: Combe, Venetis, Hamilton, Partridge, Winters.

Referee: H Dallas