Erik Sviatchenko couldn’t believe his eyes when Craig Thomson disallowed his ‘goal’ against Sevco.
The Celtic defender timed his run perfectly to head a cross low into the net with Matt Gilks well beaten at his left hand post.
While Sviatchenko kept his eye on the ball Clint Hill was trying to wrestle the Dane to the ground with Thomson coming to the rescue by awarding a free kick for some infringement by the Celtic defender.
“I couldn’t believe it!” Sviatchenko told BT Sport about the decision. “I thought I’d scored my second goal in these big games so I was disappointed but then it’s good that Moussa comes in and back heels it through the legs of the keeper.
“We all knew that we would score in the end because we were pressing and were the dominant team.
“So it’s good for the team, good for the supporters that we are now in the final. Now we need to go and get the trophy.”
Sviatchenko had a relatively trouble free afternoon alongside Jozo Simunovic in the heart of the Celtic defence as they kept their third domestic clean sheet in succession.
Rodgers made a big decision to leave Kolo Toure out of his side with the former Liverpool defender at fault for the two goals scored by Borussia Monchengladbach in midweek.
That match took a lot out of the Celtic side with Rodgers delighted by the fitness and resilience that his side displayed.
“I felt that we were very dominant today in terms of chances, power, strength and the quality of our game but sometimes when they don’t go in, or you don’t get luck you start to wonder,” the hoops boss stated.
“Every element of our game was at a very high level, when you consider they are coming off a huge Champions League match in midweek every single player deserves huge credit.
“Not just for the performance but the strength of mentality to get the victory.
“It was wonderful play to create the goal, Leigh (Griffiths) and Stuart Armstrong came in and reinvigorated the team.
“Leigh showed his unselfish nature playing the ball into Moussa’s path for the goal and it was another great finish.”
CLICK HERE for five classic images from Hampden.
CLICK HERE for Sutton’s devastating Hampden tweet.
