CELTIC dodged the Broadwood banana skin yesterday to safely manoeuvre a 3-0 passage through to the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.
Storm Ciara couldn’t blow Neil Lennon’s holders off course at wild, wet and windy Cumbernauld as they overcame League One part-timers Clyde 3-0 with strikes from Olivier Ntcham, Scott Brown and substitute Vakoun Issouf Bayo.
Now they are on their travels yet again as they protect a truly stupendous unbeaten domestic Cup record of 33 successes on the bounce when they take on St Johnstone in Perth at the end of the month.
The historic quadruple treble was on as soon as Christopher Jullien turned in Ryan Christie’s arcing fee-kick to win the Betfred League Cup against Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox outfit at Hampden on December 8 last year. The eight-in-a-row champions are seven points ahead at the Premiership pinnacle with a game coming up against Hearts at Parkhead on Wednesday.
After lifting an extraordinary TEN consecutive honours, Celtic made no mistake on a ground where they slumped to a disastrous 2-1 loss against the same opponents in January 2006. There was never the chance of an unwanted action replay yesterday.
CQN‘s team of ace snappers braved the elements to capture the action. Here is the pick of their pics.
LENNON v LENNON…nameskakes Neil and Danny chat before kick-off.
BY THE LEFT…James Forrest lets fly, but his stunning effort is charged down by John Rankin.
NUMBER ONE…Olivier Ntcham thumps in the breakthrough goal with Ray Grant, son of Hoops legend Peter, failing to intercept.
POLE-AXED…Patryk Klimala is denied his first Celtic goal by Clyde keeper David Mitchell.
JULLIEN v GOODWILLIE PART ONE…centre-back Christopher Jullien tussles for possession with Clyde dangerman David Goodwillie.
JULLIEN v GOODWILLIE PART TWO…the Frenchman times his tackle perfectly on the bustling attacker.
NUMBER TWO…Scott Brown sits it out, but his close-range flick is already heading for the back of the net.
JUST IN TIME…Moritz Bauer’s progress is halted by a sliding tackle from defender Tom Lang.
EYES ON THE PRIZE…Ryan Christie races away from Ray Grant with Mohamed Elyounoussi offering support.
JONNY COME LATELY…versatile Jonny Hayes, a 71st-minute substitute, makes up for lost time as he races into attack.
NOT THIS TIME…sub Vakoun Issouf Bayo crashes a right-foot drive wide.
NUMBER THREE…Bayo is on target with a neat finish for his second goal for the Hoops.
THREE CHEERS…for the three subs! Vakoun Issouf Bayo is congratulated by Maryan Shved with Jonny Hayes about to join in.
POINTING THE WAY AHEAD…Neil Lennon has touchline orders.
A BIG HAND…comeback keeper Scott Bain, making his first appearance since August, applauds the fans at the end.
