Scottish League Cup: Celtic knock out holders St Johnstone to earn final place

So Celtic head to Hampden with the chance of putting last season's trophyless season behind them.

James Forrest's goal is enough to end St Johnstone domination of the knock-out trophies last season.

Join us tomorrow to find out whether it will be Premiership leaders Rangers or Hibernian who will join Ange Postecoglou's side in the final.

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Celtic winger Jota was named man of the match and is delighted to have set up the winning goal - and with his time on loan from Benfica.

"It's been terrific," he tells BBC Scotland. "We've done some good football.

"I've adapted very well and all my team-mates and staff have been very good, but I want to be humble and do my thing and enjoy my football game after game."

Celtic have an option to buy Jota from his parent club, but asked if he wants to stay with the Glasgow outfit, he adds: "I just want to play and that's what I'm doing."

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Quote Message: I think St Johnstone can be very proud in defence of the League Cup. Yes, they rode their luck in the early rounds against the likes of Arbroath, but today tactically they got it spot on and ironically the goal has come from a mistake from their best player over the last two years - Zander Clark

I think St Johnstone can be very proud in defence of the League Cup. Yes, they rode their luck in the early rounds against the likes of Arbroath, but today tactically they got it spot on and ironically the goal has come from a mistake from their best player over the last two years - Zander Clark

Quote Message: Ange Postecoglou will be a very happy man. He came into the job at a difficult time and he has done a great job and got to a cup final at the first time of asking

Ange Postecoglou will be a very happy man. He came into the job at a difficult time and he has done a great job and got to a cup final at the first time of asking

St Johnstone's tenure as Scottish League Cup holders comes to an end with the Perth side bravely pushing forward into the Celtic penalty box.

And it is Celtic who progress to the final and dream of lifting the trophy for the 20th time thanks to a scoring cameo from stalwart winger James Forrest.

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Another nervous moment for Celtic as Nir Bitton hastily clears.

One last chance for Saints?

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson is yellow carded for complaining about Ali Crawford's booking and midfielder Liam Craig follows for another foulu.

Liam Craig launches a free-kick into the Celtic penalty box and midfielder Ali Crawford earns a booking for a high boot.

Clever from James Forrest to put his body on the line and earn a foul - and his team extra time.

Celtic survive some Saints pressure as we enter six minutes of stoppage time.

Still time, but the holders are looking dead on their feet as they summon one last bits of energy.

Instead of Saints coming back into it, it's Celtic looking to seal the victory.

James Forrest is the creator again and only a last ditch Liam Gordon challenge in the six-yard box denies Jota.

Quote Message: St Johnstone may get one more chance

St Johnstone may get one more chance

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Saints are going for this, with four at the back instead of five.

Eetu Vertainen makes space for himself on the edge of the penalty box, but the Finnish striker's shot is a bit ambitious and is straight at goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Time running out for the holders.

A host of substitutions.

Craig Bryson is unhappy at being replaced in Saints' midfield with Liam Craig, while forward Eetu Vertainen is on for defender James Brown.

Celtic have midfielder James McCarthy on for injured defender Stephen Welsh.

Celtic almost present Saints with a quick equaliser, with goalkeeper Joe Hart involved in a casual piece of possession play inside their own penalty box and Nir Bitton is lucky to see his hasty clearance off Shaun Rooney fly safe for a throw-in.

Saints wing-back Shaun Rooney earns a booking for a elbow-first challenge that leaves Stephen Welsh in agony.

It doesn't look like the Celtic centre-half will be able to continue.

Bedlam.

The roar from the Celtic end when James Forrest's name is read out as the goalscorer is absolutely defeaning.

The Scotland winger's third goal of the season.

Quote Message: St Johnstone are going to have to come out now. They're going to have to throw caution to the wind.

St Johnstone are going to have to come out now. They're going to have to throw caution to the wind.

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Quote Message: Zander Clark's clearance is very poor. Once he kicks it up into the air, the defence is under pressure. That man James Forrest - we said he could have a big part to play in the game. Off the bench and he rifles it into the net

Zander Clark's clearance is very poor. Once he kicks it up into the air, the defence is under pressure. That man James Forrest - we said he could have a big part to play in the game. Off the bench and he rifles it into the net