Scottish Cup: Ledley hails Celtic’s ‘passion’

JOE Ledley is determined to help end Celtic’s lengthy wait for a domestic double after a dramatic victory against Dundee United secured their place in the William Hill Scottish Cup final.

Anthony Stokes grabbed the winner in extra time on Sunday afternoon to book a meeting with Hibernian at Hampden on 26 May after the last four clash remained tied at three goals apiece after 90 minutes.

Celtic have not delivered the double since 2007 and, with the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title within touching distance, Ledley believes this could be their year. The midfielder said: “We haven’t done the double for a long time so hopefully we can achieve that.

“It would be fantastic for us players and the staff and for the club. That’s our aim and hopefully we can do it in the last game of the season.

“The cup final keeps the season alive and gives us something to play for as well.

“We’ve got two competitions to win - the league and, now, the Scottish Cup. We want to do this double badly this season and hopefully with this group of players we can do it.”

Kris Commons fired Celtic into the lead with less than two minutes on the clock at the weekend, before Gary Mackay-Steven levelled and Jon Daly nodded United ahead.

Celtic immediately hit back through Victor Wanyama and Commons claimed his double before a second goal by Daly forced the tie into extra-time. Stokes – thrown into the action after 77 minutes – had the final say with a dramatic winner.

Ledley said: “We made it difficult for ourselves but, credit to us, we dug in and got the win.

“We maybe should have wrapped the game up earlier but we showed great passion and desire as a team.

“We knew we needed to win this game and we did. We now look forward to the final.”

Yellow cards for Wanyama and Beram Kayal mean the duo will both miss the showpiece next month.

Ledley said: “It’s a big blow. They are key to the way we play, especially Victor. It’s going to be hard to replace them. But it gives an opportunity for someone else to come in and do well.”

Hibs booked their own place in the final after an unlikely 4-3 win over Falkirk, also after extra-time, having fought back from three goals down.

The Edinburgh side suffered a crushing 5-1 defeat by city rivals Hearts in the final last year and will be hoping for a better outcome this time.

Ledley said: “They will have a point to prove and they’ll want to win it just as much as us.

“Every team you play here always ups their game so we’ll have to be on our toes from the off and hopefully get the victory.”