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Tuesday, 5 February, 2002, 22:16 GMT
Konterman kills Celtic's dream
Peter Lovenkrands scored the opener for Rangers
Rangers 2-1 Celtic
Much-maligned Bert Konterman ended Celtic's dream of back-to-back trebles as he scored Rangers' winning goal in a pulsating CIS Insurance Cup semi-final. Peter Lovenkrands had put Rangers ahead with an opportunist goal just before the break, but Bobo Balde equalised with 20 minutes remaining to send the tie into extra time. It looked like the Scottish champions' power and resilience might again win the day until Konterman struck a blistering drive from 25 yards to win the game at Hampden. Celtic were chasing six successive wins against their greatest rivals - the first time that would have happened since 1972.
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill gambled on Didier Agathe, the winger given his first outing after a long spell out injured, while Alan Thompson, Stilian Petrov and Joos Valgaeren also returned. Numan started nervously and his awful passback across the penalty box was intercepted by John Hartson. The Welsh striker took the ball round Stefan Klos, but Lorenzo Amoruso recovered to divert the eventual shot wide of the post at full stretch. Celtic should have taken the lead when Henrik Larsson had only Klos to beat but struck the ball against the goalkeeper's leg. Rangers had plenty of pressure of their own, but Celtic came closest to scoring.
Rangers took the lead following a free kick on the edge of the Celtic box that appeared to be a victim of its own intricacy. But Shota Arveladze rose to flick the ball into the box and Lovenkrands beat Johan Mjallby for pace to drive the ball low into the far corner of the net. Rangers suffered a blow after 63 minutes, when defender Craig Moore had to go off with an injured hamstring after colliding with his own goalkeeper. O'Neill immediately put on Sutton for Hartson, but it was the introduction of Lubo Moravcik for Paul Lambert after 72 minutes that produced instant success. The Slovakian sent a free kick into the Rangers box and the ball was scrambled over the line by Balde while on the seat of his pants.
Arveladze drove the penalty kick against the top of the bar and there was more Rangers heartache moments later when Balde cleared a Flo toe poke off the line. But Barry Ferguson took control of midfield for Rangers in extra time and Konterman provided the finishing touch after 105 minutes. Rangers: Klos, Moore, Konterman, Amoruso, Ricksen, de Boer, Ferguson, Numan, Caniggia, Arveladze, Lovenkrands. Subs: McGregor, Flo, McCann, Vidmar, Hughes. Celtic: Douglas, Mjallby, Balde, Valgaeren, Agathe, Lambert, Lennon, Petrov, Thompson, Hartson, Larsson. Subs: Gould, Sutton, Petta, Moravcik, Crainey. Referee: Kenny Clarke.
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05 Feb 02 | CIS Ins Cup
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