Celtic through to final

Vennegoor of Hesselink opened the scoring when he converted from the penalty spot in the 13th minute after being felled by Saints goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert.

Martin Hardie's leveller hauled St Johnstone back into the game six minutes later, but a close-range header from Vennegoor of Hesselink in the second half put Celtic through to the final. They will face either Hibernian or Dunfermline, who contest Sunday's second semi-final.

As the only First Division side still remaining in the competition, St Johnstone should not really have been given much hope of reaching their first ever Scottish Cup final.

But throw in wins over Rangers, Dundee United, Falkirk and Motherwell in cup competitions already this season and you begin to realise this is not a team to be underestimated.

After a bright opening it was Celtic who took the lead after 12 minutes when Vennegoor of Hesselink was brought down in the box and referee Charlie Richmond immediately pointed to the spot.

The Celtic striker stepped up to take the penalty himself, coolly sending the ball low into the back of the net off the post, to register his first goal in five games.

However, rather than crumble, Saints were back on level terms just seven minutes later.

Paul Sheerin's cross was met by Hardie, who flicked the ball over goalkeeper Artur Boruc and the ball was helped into the back of the net by Allan McManus.

Celtic were out of the traps quickly in the second half and only an excellent block from Cuthbert prevented Paul Hartley's thunderous point-blank shot finding the back of the net.

Despite a battling performance from the Saints, Vennegoor of Hesselink helped himself to his second of the day with 53 minutes gone when he rose to nod home a Shunsuke Nakamura corner from a yard out to restore Celtic's lead and clinch victory.