Celtic progressed to the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup in unconvincing fashion against non-league side East Kilbride at the Excelsior stadium.
Leigh Griffiths opened the scoring after 21 minutes after tapping in Dedryck Boyata’s header from Gary Mackay-Steven’s corner.
He seemed to handle the ball and should have been disallowed but fortunately for him and Celtic the referee didn’t penalise him.
James Forrest, Mackay-Steven and Griffiths had chances to further Celtic’s lead but the Kilby were resolute in defence and ‘keeper Matt McGinley denied the Hoops.
Colin-Kazim Richards doubled Celtic’s lead in his first start after poking home Griffiths’ bicycle kick from close range.
They continued to create chances but couldn’t add to their two-goal cushion.
It was far from convincing to watch at times at Celtic stuttered to a 2-0 win against the fifth-tier side, with fan concerns growing ever stronger that changes need to be made.
The draw for the next round will take place tomorrow at 6:30pm, and fan favourite Lubo Moravcik will be one of those taking part in the draw.
Here are the player ratings from today’s game.
Logan Bailly 5/10
A passenger in the game and didn’t have anything to do in the game. First shot to save came in the 71st minute and was a simple save for Bailly.
Efe Ambrose 5/10
Sloppy in the opening few minutes running into players and lost possession needlessly. Passing was poor too in the game.
Dedryck Boyata 6/10
Headed the ball towards goal from Mackay-Steven’s corner to open the score. Decent game but didn’t have anything to deal with or worry about.
Erik Sviatchenko 6/10
Almost opened the scoring after the ball broke to him from a corner but this shot was well saved. Cool and calm on the ball as always and drove forward well.
Kieran Tierney 7/10
Did the simple things well and his decision making was spot on. Once thing he could improve is his long-range passing which will come in time. Great crosses to Mackay-Steven in the first-half as well as Kazim-Richards and Griffiths in the second.
Gary Mackay-Steven 5/10
Showed quick feet to skip past players and get forward but couldn’t find the killer pass or cross. Shot from Tierney’s cross was right at the ‘keeper. Lacked intensity in his play that saw him earn a place in the starting team over the last few weeks.
Scott Brown 6/10
Controlled the game and just anchored the centre of the field to allow the full-backs to drive forward at will. No need to sit back against East Kilbride and should have gone forward to have another Celtic player in the final third.
Charlie Mulgrew 5.5/10
Good ball into the box from a free-kick but Ambrose couldn’t meet it. Indifferent start in midfield and lost possession several times from a poor pass or poor control. Picked out Forrest with a well-timed through ball but the winger couldn’t reach it.
James Forrest 5/10
Fairly quiet on the wing and didn’t get on the ball and drive at the full-back. Had one shot from the edge of the area parried away but was lethargic otherwise.
Colin Kazim-Richards 6/10
Linked up well in the opening minutes and got involved holding the ball up and bringing people into play. Drifted from the game as the half went on and didn’t get involved as much. Got on the scoresheet from Griffiths’ overhead kick for a goal in his first start for Celtic.
Leigh Griffiths 6.5/10
A bit too casual and his shot blocked from close range after six minutes. Picked up a knock but shook it off and opened the scoring after 21 minutes with a tap-in from a corner. Skipped past two players but was denied by a great last-ditch challenge on 37 minutes.
Scott Allan 4/10
Replaced Mackay-Steven with just over 20 minutes remaining in the game. Far more lively than most on the field and showed his ability on the ball once again and looked inventive.
Nir Bitton 3/10
Replaced Charlie Mulgrew with just under 20 minutes to go in the game. Sat back in the more defensive role and allowed Brown to go forward.
Ryan Christie N/A
Came on for Griffiths with 10 minutes to go in the game.