Doughty Dons dump wasteful Celtic

SCOTTISH CUP QUARTER-FINAL REPLAY Celtic 0 Aberdeen 1THE PROSPECT of an Old Firm final to finish the season ended in Glasgow's east end last night, Aberdeen's superb defensive display allied to Celtic's inability to convert long spells of territorial superiority into goals ensuring the holders were eliminated at the quarter-final stage.

Darren Mackie was the Dons' hero, scoring the goal which sets up a semi-final with Queen of the South. Celtic, whose season had promised so much, now only have the league to focus on. On a night of upsets St Johnstone of the First Division also progressed to the last four with a 3-1 victory at the home of Premier League St Mirren, and next face Rangers or Partick.

Gordon Strachan had bemoaned the quality of the match-day experience on offer to fans in advance of this tie, with the Celtic manager's impassioned speech apparently striking a chord. Straight from kick-off there was a noticeably more lively atmosphere.

Aberdeen opened brightly but Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink passed up the period's best two opportunities as Celtic gradually found some rhythm. Aberdeen were also fortunate not to concede a penalty, Zander Diamond appearing to block a header from the Dutch striker with a hand.

A fine move involving the influential Shunsuke Nakamura and Vennegoor of Hesselink resulted in Scott McDonald firing narrowly wide six minutes before the interval, then Aberdeen's Ricky Foster just failed to capitalise on Stephen McManus's short back pass.

Calderwood introduced the on-loan Sone Aluko at the interval, but then received a blow as Diamond was forced off with a head injury.

Celtic had grown increasingly dominant but Mackie broke the deadlock, finishing cleanly after Lee Miller headed into his path. The home defence had failed to clear an Aluko corner.

Strachan's team resorted to desperate tactics in the final 20 minutes, Vennegoor of Hesselink again guilty of profligacy, but they barely worried the Dons. The Celtic manager cut a dejected figure as fans headed for the exits, aware that Saturday's trip to Rangers perhaps represents their last hope of salvation this season.

CELTIC:Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell (Riordan 84), McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Scott Brown, Donati, McGeady, McDonald (Samaras 73), Vennegoor of Hesselink. Subs not used:Mark Brown, O'Dea, Sno. Booked:Donati.

ABERDEEN:Soutar, Maybury, Diamond (Mair 64), Considine, McNamara (Walker 79), Nicholson, Touzani (Aluko 46), Severin, Foster, Miller, Mackie. Subs not used:Langfield, Lovell. Booked: Maybury.

Referee: C Richmond(Scotland).