Super Leigh dumps Hearts out of the cup

Former Hibs striker Leigh Griffiths guided Celtic into the last four of the League Cup with a 2-1 win over Hearts at Tynecastle.

Griffiths opened the scoring in the 70th minute then created the second for Tom Rogic 11 minutes later to send the home fans rushing for the exits.

Rogic’s introduction brought a fresh edge to Celtic’s play with the hoops having too much class for the Edinburgh side as they sent them out of the fourth consecutive cup competition.

There was a blow for Celtic in the warm up when Scott Brown picked up an injury that saw James Forrest called off the bench with Stefan Johansen dropping back to fill in for the skipper.

Celtic dominated the opening half hour but had nothing to show for their efforts other than two shots from Kris Commons that flew high over Neil Alexander’s goal.

As the first half came to a close Hearts mustered a few long range shots on goal but were unable to test Craig Gordon.

In the final minute of the first half Celtic cut open the Hearts defence for the first time but Stuart Armstrong was unable to connect as Forrest sent a low ball across goal.

There was no change to the pattern of play in the second half with Forrest replaced by Tom Rogic just before the hour mark with the Australian quickly having a pop at goal that sailed wide.

With twenty minutes left to play Griffiths made the breakthrough. Celtic pushed the ball from left to right before Griffiths darted forward into the penalty box then curled a low left foot shot beyond Alexander inside the far post.

Eleven minutes later it was game over with Griffiths the creator. Driving past two defenders to hit the bye-line the former Hibs man drilled a low ball into the six yard box with Rogic letting the ball pass him before sticking out his heel and turning the ball into the net.

With a minute left to play Callum Paterson headed home following a corner but there was to be no dramatic ending to the match.

CELTIC: Gordon; Lustig, Boyata, Simunovic, Izaguirre; Johansen, Bitton; Forrest (Rogic 59), Commons, Armstrong; Griffiths

SUBS: Bailly, Ambrose, Tierney, McGregor, Ciftci, Mackay-Steven