Celtic 3-0 Raith Rovers: Jota, Abada & Turnbull send hosts into League Cup semi-final
- Published
David Turnbull shaped in a fine second-half finish to put Celtic three up
Celtic responded to back-to-back defeats by easily beating second-tier Raith Rovers to set up a Scottish League Cup semi-final with holders St Johnstone in November.
The Championship visitors started well and frustrated the hosts for over 25 minutes, but Jota's first Celtic goal opened the scoring and Liel Abada nodded in a second before the break.
David Turnbull guided in a third two minutes after the interval before Raith played out the final half hour with 10 men after Dario Zanatta's dismissal.
The victory - coming after away losses against Real Betis and Livingston - means Ange Postecoglou will guide a side out at Hampden for the first time on the weekend of 20 and 21 November.
Raith are still without a win over Celtic in 15 attempts since their League Cup final win in 1994.
Jota was a thorn in the side of Raith all evening and showed his intent from the off, as the Celtic winger bent a shot just wide of the far post early on.
But the away side started promisingly, moving the ball well and keeping a resolute shape, as Dylan Tait guided a tame effort wide of Joe Hart's goal.
However, John McGlynn's defence would be breached on 26 minutes when James McCarthy's inch-perfect pass was controlled by Jota, who lifted a tidy finish over Jamie MacDonald.
And the game was beyond the second-tier side when Jota again drove into the box and saw a shot parried by MacDonald, but Abada was on hand to nod home a second.
Turnbull added a third just two minutes after the restart, gliding forward unchallenged and shaping a lovely finish from outside the area into the bottom right-hand corner.
Raith were reduced to 10 men and would have feared further Celtic goals as Zanatta was shown a second yellow card for a tug on Anthony Ralston.
But to the Championship side's credit, they rallied and did not crumble as Celtic failed to add to their tally.
Man of the match - Jota
The Portuguese forward was well worth his goal and played an integral part in Abada's second
What did we learn?
There was no other option for Celtic than victory, but the fans would have demanded that they did it in style. With 25 minutes on the clock it looked like they might struggle to break Raith down, but the Celtic attack relaxed following Jota's opener and gave their home support a comfortable night.
One blot was the news that Greek striker Georgios Giakoumakis "did his calf in the warm-up", according to Postecoglou, and has been sent for a scan to establish how serious the injury is.
Raith will not be judged on games against Celtic, but McGlynn can take pride in his side's League Cup run after progressing from the group in top spot and earning a memorable last-16 win at home to Aberdeen.
He will also take positives out his players' response to going a man down, as his team maintained a solid defensive shape to ensure the margin stayed at three.
What did they say?
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: "The important thing is we're there. The semi-final should be a great occasion. It's something this club wants to continue in.
"It's a tough opponent, but as I said the most important thing is we're there. St Johnstone had a tremendous run last year. They did well in Europe as well. Irrespective who you play it's going to be a tough game."
Raith Rovers manager John McGlynn: "I've not got any complaints, the best team won. They were worthy of three goals. I thought our guys put everything into it.
"You can always do better, but I'm delighted with our run in the League Cup. We'll learn from this and we'll be better for it."
What's next?
Celtic are at home to Dundee United in the Premiership on Sunday (15:00 BST) while Raith host Partick Thistle at the same time in the second tier.
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