Celtic are through to the Scottish Cup final after a remarkable 6-2 win over St Mirren, but the scoreline only tells part of the story.
This was a game that swung wildly, from early dominance to late panic, before exploding into life in extra time.
Celtic could not have asked for a better start.
Inside the opening minute, Daizen Maeda pressed high, charged down the goalkeeper, and handed the Hoops an immediate lead. Hampden responded, and for a spell, it looked like Celtic were in full control.
That feeling only grew when Anthony Ralston made it two just before half-time. The right-back finished confidently, and at 2-0, Celtic looked comfortable.
But this side has shown vulnerability all season, and it surfaced again. St Mirren came out stronger in the second half and began to cause problems. Mikael Mandron pulled one back, and suddenly Celtic looked unsure. The game drifted, and instead of regaining control, the Hoops invited pressure.
That pressure told in stoppage time.
Mandron struck again deep into added time to make it 2-2, silencing the Celtic end and dragging the tie into extra time. From cruising, Celtic were suddenly staring at a potential collapse.
What followed was emphatic.
Celtic responded immediately in extra time, and it was Kelechi Iheanacho who made the difference. The striker rose to head home and restore the lead, giving Celtic the platform they needed.
Moments later, Luke McCowan extended the advantage, finishing well to make it 4-2 and shift the momentum completely.
Then came the killer blow.
Iheanacho struck again for his second of the day, putting the result beyond doubt and turning tension into celebration. With St Mirren stretched, Celtic had space to exploit, and they did just that.
Benjamin Nygren added a sixth late on to cap a remarkable turnaround in extra time.
In the end, Celtic did not just win, they overwhelmed the Paisley side. Yet the 90 minutes before that will give the manager and players plenty to think about.
For supporters, it was a rollercoaster. From a dream start to late anxiety, and then a ruthless burst that settled everything, this was a semi-final that had everything.
Celtic now move on to the final, where Dunfermline await, but they will know they cannot afford the same lapses if they are to lift the trophy.
Highlights Below
