Celtic ease past Hearts and into the Scottish League Cup final

Scott Sinclair's penalty and two goals in six minutes from James Forrest and Ryan Christie set up a potential Old Firm final showdown with Steven Gerrard's Rangers or Aberdeen, who meet in the other semi-final later on Sunday.

Over 60,000 fans crammed into Murrayfield, normally the home of Scottish rugby, after an ill-judged plan to stage both semi-finals on the same day at Hampden was shelved.

Hearts have been in fine form so far this season, opening up a five-point lead at the top of the league table.

But an early injury to top scorer Steven Naismith robbed the Edinburgh side of their most potent weapon and they were unable to contain the Scottish champions after the break.

Sinclair was also introduced as an early substitute due to an injury to Eboue Kouassi and the Englishman made no mistake from the spot after Oliver Bozanic tripped Christie inside the box.

Hearts goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal left his side with a mountain to climb when he fumbled Christie's long-range effort 18 minutes from time and Forrest gratefully tapped home the rebound.

Moments later Christie left Zlamal helpless with a sensational left-footed effort that curled into the top corner from outside the box.

Hearts' Czech 'keeper made amends with a series of late saves, notably from Forrest and Kieran Tierney to keep the score down.

But Celtic marched on into another Cup final after back-to-back domestic trebles of Premiership, League Cup and Scottish Cup in Rodgers' first two seasons in charge.