Celtic were frightening against St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup at Hampden.
The Bhoys battered St Johnstone after the Perth club put up a spirited fight in the fist 34 minutes of the Scottish Cup tie but Celtic’s power was just too much.
Celtic captain Callum McGregor started the rout after opening the scoring in the 34th minute and after that the floodgates opened and St Johnstone were powerless to stop the relentless Hoops.
Brendan Rodgers was delighted with Celtic’s performance but St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari was gutted as he reacted to his team’s Hampden battering at the hands of the champions-elect.
Simo Valakari admits Celtic defeat in Scottish Cup is ‘tough’ to take
Valakari could have been forgiven for thinking he was heading into halftime against Celtic at 0-0 after his St Johnstone team defended bravely.
However, in 11 blistering first-half minutes Celtic raced to a 4-0 lead and that has left Valakari and St Johnstone’s ‘pride’ hurt.
Valakari told Premier Sports, “Yeah, it was a tough 90 minutes. We all dreamt when we come here, you know about the cup final journey, and of course, big credit, they were very strong today.
“And we did not do these couple of things as well as we should have to get something out of the game, but still, very proud of our players to get to the semi final.
“The fans, how they supported us. They came here, supporting the team, but of course, it’s hurting our pride. You know, the 5-0 result.”
Valakari is ‘sad’ at watching Celtic batter St Johnstone
The St Johnstone boss was asked what the difference was from the Scottish Cup defeat to the win over Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
And whist disappointed, the Finnish manager was very postive about Celtic’s performance whilst admitting the defeat left him and his side ‘a little bit sad’.
Valakari continued, “In that match, we took our chances, we scored, we had something to defend, but actually 30 minutes, we took the pressure, and then a couple of not as good decision with the ball for our boys.
“And of course, our opponents, they smelt this and they are clinical, and they finish these moments. And you know, they can do that for any team. We have seen it and they did it today to us.
“We have been talking about whatever happens today it cannot affect the Scottish Premiership games.
“We know it and we are little bit sad tonight. And tomorrow we are back on track and we go.”
Celtic now face Aberdeen in the final on the 24th of May where Brendan Rodgers will be hoping for a repeat of the 2017 final that saw the Bhoys lift a treble to become Invincibles.
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