Bobo Balde ruthlessly powered Celtic into next month's CIS Insurance Cup final against Rangers with two goals which ripped the heart out of Dundee United last night.

Martin O'Neill's side will return to Hampden Park on 16 March to meet their big rivals, and Baldé will be a handy asset judging by his headed stoppage-time goal, after he had made the breakthrough followed by a habitual goal from Henrik Larsson.

For Celtic, the prize of an Old Firm final was incentive enough, but for their opponents the chance to shake off their miserable Premier League form was eagerly seized upon. Their new manager, Ian McCall, has whipped up enthusiasm in his week in charge at Tannadice Park and he has already lifted United off the bottom of the table.

Dundee United could have gone ahead in the 29th minute when Stuart Duff's low cross was taken off Derek Lilley's toe just as the striker measured up a near-post finish. Celtic's efforts were cloaked in frustration, underlined by a booking for Paul Lambert, and Charlie Miller's rising volley before the interval was evidence of United's spirit.

But Celtic broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute. Larsson bemused the United defence with a dummy that allowed John Hartson to clip the ball back into his path and the Swede steered the ball wide of Alan Combe and allowed Baldé to crash his shot into the net.

Two minutes later, the contest seemed over for McCall's side when they were reduced to 10 men after Jim Lauchlan was given a straight red card for brutally cutting down Larsson.

If Jamie Smith had carried any luck, he would have added a second goal moments later, but after the Celtic youngster's superb run his deft right-foot finish came off a post.

Larsson had to endure some frustration of his own when he found the net on 65 minutes, after pouncing on Chris Sutton's header which had rebounded from the bar, but the former Chelsea striker strayed offside before the Swede finished. However, Larsson gathered Sutton's set-up in the 79th minute and swept in a right-foot shot to double the lead.

Celtic (3-5-2): Hedman; Valgaeren, Baldé, Laursen; Agathe (Sylla, 81), Lambert, Sutton, Lennon, Smith (Fernandez, 72); Larsson, Hartson (Thompson, 72). Substitutes not used: Marshall (gk), Crainey.

Dundee United (3-5-2): Combe; McCracken, Lauchlan, Wilson; Duff, Easton, Miller (O'Donnell, 73), McIntyre, Paterson (McCunnie, 69); Lilley, Dodds (Hamilton, 62). Substitutes not used: Gallacher (gk), Smart.

Referee: S Dougal.