Celtic instant analysis as Joe Hart is the semi-final hero

Joe Hart was Celtic's hero and sinner in the shootout as he saved the vital kick but also spurned a glorious chance to win it when he slammed his effort from 12 yards off the post.

In a Scottish Cup semi-final classic the two sides could not be separated after a thrilling 3-3 draw in normal time. Bojan Miovksi stunned the holders when he gave the Dons the lead inside two minutes but German winger Kuhn levelled after 21 minutes. Hampden specialist Forrest put Celtic in front on 63 minutes as he claimed his sixth goal at the national stadium. However, the men from the Granite City weren't finished and Ester Sokler incredibly headed an equaliser in the first minute of stoppage time.

It was Danish internationalist O'Riley who swept the ball into the top corner in the first period of extra-time for what proved to be the winner. Incredibly Angus MacDonald headed home to make it 3-3 with a minute left on the clock as this pulsating match went to penalties. Idah, Luis Palma, O'Riley, Paulo Bernardo, Alistair Johnston, and Tomoki Iwata all scored for Celtic after Joe Hart fluffed his lines when he crashed the ball back off the post and blew the chance to win the contest.

Hart redeemed himself when he saved the 12th spot-kick which was spurned by Killian Phillips. Rodgers kept up his 100 per cent record of never having lost at Hampden as Celtic booked their spot in the showpiece game of the season on May 25th.

Make that goal number six for James Forrest at Hampden Park

The Hampden specialist did it again. What an impact James Forrest had on this match. His first involvement was to go on a solo run and shoot towards goal that was desperately blocked by the Reds defence. His next involvement was the stuff of dreams. Embarking on another mazy run from the left the winger simply cut inside and unleashed the sweetest of curling daisy cutters that arrowed it's was part Kelle Roos. The best winger at the club reckons Rodgers. On this evidence, it is hard to argue with that logic. Forrest really is the man for the big occasion and the 32-year-old still has what it takes to cut it at this level. He was always going to play a big part in proceeding during the run-in. He was so effective and he used all his guile and craft allied to good old-fashioned wily experience to help guide Celtic home in this one. Are you watching Yang? That's the way to do it.

Yang was a total passenger

South Korean winger Yang was given a vote of confidence by Celtic boss Rodgers. However the year-old repaid him by turning in one of the worst and most shocking 45 minute displays from a winger in green and white at the nationals stadium. He was as ineffective going forward as he was trying to defend. He proved that he has not learned his lesson from Rabbi Matondo's equaliser at Ibrox. At one point he even threw himself to the floor and was lucky not to escape being booked. He offered no outlet out in the left and at times he is very impetuous in his thinking. His levels have dropped dramatically since his red card at Tynecastle and he looks like a player who is playing within himself at times. He also looks like a kid at times playing a man's game as he lacks basic physicality. He looked to be playing a different sport to the rest and surprisingly got the nod to appear after the restart. It was no surprise see him leave the field on 60 minutes. Yang should be forced to watch a DVD of Forrest's half-hour cameo all week to see if it sinks in as to how to make a meaningful contribution as a Celtic winger.

Celtic have to ask Norwich City the question about Adam Idah

The Republic of Ireland international looks every inch a footballer doesn't he? Another inspired substitution from Rodgers, Idah gave Aberdeen a torrid time and he wasn't averse to doing the dirty work to chasing back and helping defend from the front. He poses a different kind of threat altogether and every team is crying out for a player of that ilk. It is far too early to compare him to the likes of Greek striker Georgios Giakoumakis but there are lots of similar traits. He is a big imposing unit but is more than just a powerful targteman as he is quick and clever on the deck. Idah seems to be enjoying life in Glasgow and has made a superb contribution to the Celtic cause since he joined. He is going the right way about sealing a permanent deal in G40. The great thing here is that every Celtic supporter will concede that Rodgers has an eye for a player as he was so excited to be working with the 23-year-old attacker. He was denied a headed goal in extra-time due to the assistant's flag. He took a cool penalty in the shootout. Idah just screams a Celtic player of the future and most definitely a Rodgers type signing. Watch this space.

Captain Callum McGregor made it for the big occasion but he looked well off the pace

The skipper proved his fitness to earn the nod from his manager for a game of such magnitude. It was a big call from Rodgers. However, at times the Celtic midfield trio in the first 45 minutes looked non-existent as McGregor struggled to get to grips with life in the engine room. There is a subtle difference between being fit and match fit and it could be argued that McGregor is still building his match fitness and sharpness. He rattled in a long-range effort that whistled over the top in the opening period. Ball retention was Celtic's main problem and McGregor was not the worst culprit as the midfield triumvirate were extremely careless and sloppy in that regard. The optics of his presence on the pitch was more to do with the leadership qualities and his winning mentality but Tomoki Iwata had every right to feel hard done by as he had done nothing wrong sitting in the middle of the park in the captain's absence. It was the Japanese anchor who replaced McGregor on the hour mark.

Celtic's leaky defence almost cost them twice after the game was won.

How Rodgers must have been tearing his hair out at his sides comic cuts defending all afternoon. To concede one injury-time goal was frightening enough but to concede two was bordering on criminal. Two simple balls floated into the back post area and neither were dealt with as Celtic proved to be the architects of their own downfall after twice getting their noses in front. The lottery of penalties was not what anybody had expected when they arrived in Mount Florida today. It is fair to say that the Liam Scales experiment with Celtic should be well and truly over as the Republic of Ireland international looked ill at ease and shaky all afternoon. He was cumbersome and indecisive at best. He was posted missing on both occasions when the high balls were there to be contested. Celtic are in the final...but only just.