James Forrest’s hat-trick against Partick Thistle saw Celtic progress to the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup keeping their treble hope alive.
The winger opened the scoring inside two minutes with a composed finish having found himself in the right place at the right time after Moussa Dembele’s goal-bound shot was blocked.
Seven minutes later he doubled his tally for the afternoon and Celtic’s lead with a wonderful solo run from just inside Partick Thistle’s half before driving a right footed shot into the bottom left corner.
On 20 minutes the away side were gifted a goal as Jozo Simunovic failed to spot Kris Doolan having played the ball back to the ‘keeper and he raced through on goal and chipped it over a helpless Dorus de Vries.
Eight minutes into the second half Forrest completed his hat-trick and restored the Hoops’ two goal lead with a cool finish from Sinclair’s cross.
Conor Sammon scored a consolation goal on 84 minutes after getting the better of Simunovic off the ball and firing it beyond the ‘keepers grasp.
The draw for the quarter-final will be made tomorrow evening around 6:45pm.
Here are the player ratings from today’s game.
Dorus de Vries 6/10
Had no chance of keeping out Doolan’s chip or Sammon’s goal. Nothing else of note to do in the game.
Mikael Lustig 5/10
Poor passing and decision making. Picked up an injury to his knee late on in the first half.
Jozo Simunovic 3/10
Sloppy pass early on into midfield giving away possession. Gifted Doolan an easy goal with his backpass having failed to spot the striker running towards goal.
Kristoffer Ajer 5/10
Needlessly driving up the field with the ball and getting himself caught too far up the field when he loses it. Sat too deep keeping players onside. Good block to deny Spittal’s shot on goal.
Kieran Tierney 6/10
Good cross into Dembele who headed over. Defended poorly at times and wasn’t assured at the back. Put a number of good crosses into the box in the second half. Perfectly weighted pass through to Sinclair for the third goal.
Scott Brown 6.5/10
Perfectly weighted pass over the top to Dembele for the opening goal. Didn’t have the best first half in midfield and was ragged at times. Much improved second half and assured.
Olivier Ntcham 5/10
Quiet first half and didn’t have the best afternoon in midfield. Improved in the second half.
James Forrest 9/10
Right place at the right time to tap home the opening goal having initially pressed the ball to get possession. Wonderful second goal with a run from just inside the Thistle half. Denied a hat-trick by the fingertips of Cerny. Got his hat-trick in the second half from Sinclair’s cross.
Charly Musonda 5/10
Couldn’t get much time on the ball to get anything going. Had more chances in the second half but is still adapting to the game in a compact midfield area and will show his talent in time. Poor showing overall from the youngster.
Scott Sinclair 5/10
Poor game and is struggling for form of late. Good play and assist to Forrest for his hat-trick. Went through on goal and hit it straight at the ‘keeper. Didn’t do much else in the game, lacking any intent to get on the ball and create somethng.
Moussa Dembele 5/10
Great touch in the lead up to the opening goal and saw his shot blocked. Headed well over the bar from Tierney’s cross inside five minutes. Didn’t touch the ball again until the 56th minute. Closed the ‘keeper down well and almost got a chance to get a shot on goal. Poor pass across the edge of the box when he had time on the ball.
Callum McGregor 5/10
Came on for Musonda with 26 minutes left in the game. Wasn’t involved much.
Odsonne Edouard /N/A
Came on for Sinclair with 12 minutes remaining. Good run at the defence from a wide area winning a free-kick.