2016-03-06: Celtic 3-0 Morton, Scottish Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 2015 – 2016 | 2015-16 Pictures

Trivia

• Scottish Cup Quarter Final
• Low crowd due to: 1) Apathy from Celtic Support (2) Mothers Day (3) 12pm kick-off, (4) Lower tier opposition.
• Scottish Cup Quarter-finals Celtic going for the double (lost out in the treble following League Cup semi-final defeat).
• Boyata’s red card appeal from last week’s match has been dismissed, unsurprisingly.
• Celtic manager Ronny Deila has claimed that he is not worried about being dismissed after a dismal run of performances and results which have shattered his ambitions of winning a domestic treble and are now threatening the club’s prospects of winning a fifth successive championship.
• Driving ban for Callum McGregor: Caught FOUR TIMES above the drink-drive limit.
• Celtic draw TheRangers in next round of the Scottish Cup, the semi-finals.

Review

(superstardj of KDS)
Really enjoyed the first half.
I don't understand why he didn't make a straight swap, Armstrong for Johansen.
We didn't really even go to 4-4-2, LG was playing really deep.
Roberts looks a class act.
Time for some momentum now, I would start the same team (Johansen probably will be out) for the Thistle game.

(bodom boy of KDS)
Willie Collum… deary, deary me. The assault on Johansen that he A) misses B) walks away from a prone player on the floor without even so much checking he was alright. Morton boy should've been off, certainly for a second yellow.

Thought they could have had another for that tackle on Armstrong. Not even any pretence that he was going for the ball, all he had eyes for was the man.

Good tempo in the first half, not so much the 2nd. Would like to see Tierney overlap into space a bit more, rock solid in defence, however.

GMS looks like he's about to burst out greeting at any second when he loses the ball. Heart of a pea. See Roberts for how he should be going at players.

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• Winner –

Stats

Celtic Morton
Possession
Home64%
Away36%

Shots
Home27
Away7

Shots on Target
Home11
Away3

Corners
Home7
Away5

Fouls
Home10
Away10

Articles

Celtic 3 – 0 Morton: Celtic into Scottish Cup semis
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/celtic-3-0-morton-celtic-into-scottish-cup-semis-1-4046752
Celtic cruised into the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals with a 3-0 win over Morton while easing the pressure on boss Ronny Deila.

Speculation about the Norwegian’s future intensified after the home goalless draw against Dundee in midweek cut the Hoops’ lead over Aberdeen at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership to four points.

The increasingly disgruntled Celtic faithful had stayed away in their droves with Parkhead around a quarter full but the home side were fully focused and first half goals from Leigh Griffiths, Gary Mackay-Steven and Callum McGregor allayed any prospects of a shock.

The Championship side, who had triumphed 1-0 after extra-time when the sides met in the League Cup in 2013, escaped the second half having suffered no more damage as Celtic twice hit the woodwork with Deila hearing a round of applause at the end of the match.

Once again the Celtic boss had tinkered with his starting line-up.

Kris Commons, Stefan Johansen, McGregor and Mackay-Steven all returned while Charlie Mulgrew moved back to centre-back to replace the injured Dedryck Boyata.

The low attendance and noon kick-off did little to enhance the encounter.

Morton appeared to be settling into the match but were undone rather easily in the 14th minute when defender Thomas O’Ware was caught under a cross from Mackay-Steven, allowing Griffiths time and space to force his shot past keeper Derek Gaston for his 34th goal of the season.

The home side looked sharper than they did in midweek and Gaston had to save with his feet from Griffiths but moments later, in the 25th minute, the keeper had no chance when, from six yards, Mackay-Steven converted a Kieran Tierney pass.

Celtic keeper Craig Gordon did have to a make a good save from Stefan McCluskey but the home side were in determined mood.
Celtic's Gary Mackay-Steven scores his side's second goal. Picture: SNS
Celtic's Gary Mackay-Steven scores his side's second goal. Picture: SNS

In the 35th minute, after Commons had failed to get enough on a header from a Tierney cross, it was all too easy for McGregor to cruise towards the edge of the box before curling the ball past Gaston and into the corner.

There was a moment of controversy seconds before the end of the first half when Johansen was caught by Michael Miller, moments after the Morton defender had been booked for a foul on McGregor.

However, to the anger of Hoops players and fans, referee Willie Collum played on before blowing for the interval and the Celtic midfielder was helped up the tunnel, replaced for the start of the second half by striker Colin Kazim-Richards.

Patrick Roberts took over from Griffiths on the hour mark, moments later striking the base of the post with a drive from the edge of the box.

The introduction of forward Bobby Barr for Miller in the 51st minute gave Morton a boost going forward and in the 66th minute, following a corner, Gordon made a point-blank save from Declan McManus.

However, there was no danger of a fightback and minutes later Mackay-Steven thundered a shot against the underside of the bar as Celtic pressed again.

Roberts was making a good impression with his pace and trickery and he forced Gaston into a fine save with a drive but the game petered out with Celtic unable to add to their lead but more than happy to get back to winning ways

Read more: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/celtic-3-0-morton-celtic-into-scottish-cup-semis-1-4046752#ixzz4295Bnul1
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BBC
Celtic swept into the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup with a composed first-half demolition of Greenock Morton.

A missed header from Thomas O'Ware allowed Leigh Griffiths to open with his 34th goal of the season.

Gary Mackay-Steven stroked home from Kieran Tierney's cross soon after.

And Callum McGregor curled in a sumptuous third with Celtic dominant, and noticeably sharper and slicker than their opposition.

Morton boss Jim Duffy changed the normal shape of his Championship team by fielding a back three instead of four and leaving out in-form winger Bobby Barr. His gamble failed.

However, he was not helped by schoolboy defending by O'Ware for the loss of the decisive first goal.

Ronnie Deila made sweeping changes for the Premiership leaders, one of them enforced by an injury to Dedryck Boyata, but the rest all in midfield with Tom Rogic, Stuart Armstrong and Patrick Roberts making way for Kris Commons, Mackay Steven and McGregor.

It was a surreal atmosphere in the ground, the game kicking off in the Glasgow east end midday sunshine and Celtic Park not even half-full.
Celtic midfielder Stefan Johansen receives treatment on an injury
Celtic lost Stefan Johansen to injury in the first half

And the manager of Celtic knew that defeat would surely bring his own high noon, following patchy recent form. But it took just 14 minutes for his worries to ease.

O'Ware totally misjudged his header on the end of a cross from the right and it fell to, of all people, Griffiths four yards out and unmarked.

Celtic were on their way.

Their second came 11 minutes later and again Mackay-Steven's finish could be filed as straightforward.

Their third, 10 minutes after that, was far more inventive. McGregor was really clever with a bending finish from the edge of the box and Celtic were now entitled to dream about what Sunday afternoon's draw might bring.

No further goals came, nor indeed were required, but there was the one black spot – an injury to Stefan Johansen on the stroke of half-time courtesy of a clumsy challenge by Mike Miller that went curiously unpunished.

And that, really, was that. Celtic through and nerves soothed for Deila, with substitute Patrick Roberts and Mackay-Steven firing against the post and bar, respectively, in the second period.
Match ends, Celtic 3, Morton 0.
Full Time
Posted at 90'+1'
Second Half ends, Celtic 3, Morton 0.
Substitution
Posted at 89'
Substitution, Morton. Jai Quitongo replaces Denny Johnstone.
Posted at 88'
Corner, Morton. Conceded by Charlie Mulgrew.
Posted at 87'
Attempt blocked. Bobby Barr (Morton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 87'
Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
Posted at 87'
Ross Forbes (Morton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 85'
Attempt missed. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
Posted at 83'
Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Posted at 83'
Bobby Barr (Morton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 83'
Foul by Bobby Barr (Morton).
Posted at 82'
Bobby Barr (Morton) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 82'
Foul by Colin Kazim-Richards (Celtic).
Posted at 82'
Attempt blocked. Colin Kazim-Richards (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Posted at 80'
Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 80'
Foul by Joe McKee (Morton).
Posted at 80'
Foul by Colin Kazim-Richards (Celtic).
Posted at 80'
(Morton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 79'
Attempt saved. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Substitution
Posted at 76'
Substitution, Morton. Luca Gasparotto replaces Stefan McCluskey.
Posted at 76'
Attempt missed. Colin Kazim-Richards (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Posted at 75'
Attempt saved. Colin Kazim-Richards (Celtic) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Substitution
Posted at 73'
Substitution, Celtic. Stuart Armstrong replaces Kris Commons.
Posted at 73'
Attempt saved. Patrick Roberts (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner.
Posted at 73'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Derek Gaston.
Posted at 71'
Attempt saved. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Posted at 70'
Erik Sviatchenko (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Posted at 70'
Foul by Declan McManus (Morton).
Posted at 69'
Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) hits the bar with a right footed shot from a difficult angle on the left.
Posted at 69'
Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
Posted at 69'
Ross Forbes (Morton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 68'
Attempt missed. Joe McKee (Morton) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Posted at 67'
Attempt saved. Ross Forbes (Morton) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 66'
Corner, Morton. Conceded by Charlie Mulgrew.
Posted at 65'
Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 65'
Foul by Joe McKee (Morton).
Posted at 63'
Attempt missed. Colin Kazim-Richards (Celtic) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is close, but misses to the right.
Posted at 63'
Patrick Roberts (Celtic) hits the right post with a left footed shot from the right side of the box.
Posted at 61'
Foul by Colin Kazim-Richards (Celtic).
Posted at 61'
Thomas O'Ware (Morton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Posted at 60'
Substitution, Celtic. Patrick Roberts replaces Leigh Griffiths.
Posted at 60'
Kieran Tierney (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 60'
Foul by Declan McManus (Morton).
Posted at 58'
Attempt missed. Declan McManus (Morton) header from very close range is close, but misses to the right.
Posted at 57'
Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
Posted at 56'
Attempt saved. Mikael Lustig (Celtic) header from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the top right corner.
Posted at 56'
Hand ball by Stefan McCluskey (Morton).
Substitution
Posted at 52'
Substitution, Morton. Bobby Barr replaces Michael Miller.
Posted at 52'
Attempt saved. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 51'
Colin Kazim-Richards (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 51'
Foul by Ricki Lamie (Morton).
Posted at 49'
Foul by Colin Kazim-Richards (Celtic).
Posted at 49'
Ricki Lamie (Morton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 48'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Thomas O'Ware.
Posted at 48'
Hand ball by Michael Miller (Morton).
Second Half
Posted at
Second Half begins Celtic 3, Morton 0.
Substitution
Posted at 45'
Substitution, Celtic. Colin Kazim-Richards replaces Stefan Johansen because of an injury.
Half Time
Posted at 45'+1'
First Half ends, Celtic 3, Morton 0.
Posted at 45'
Attempt blocked. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Posted at 44'
Attempt blocked. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 44'
Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Booking
Posted at 44'
Michael Miller (Morton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 44'
Foul by Michael Miller (Morton).
Posted at 38'
Attempt missed. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top right corner.
Goal!
Posted at 35'
Goal! Celtic 3, Morton 0. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner.
Posted at 34'
Hand ball by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
Posted at 31'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Mark Russell.
Posted at 31'
Attempt blocked. Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Posted at 30'
Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 30'
Foul by Ross Forbes (Morton).
Posted at 29'
Attempt saved. Kieran Tierney (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 27'
Corner, Morton. Conceded by Craig Gordon.
Posted at 27'
Attempt saved. Joe McKee (Morton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner.
Posted at 27'
Attempt blocked. Declan McManus (Morton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Posted at 27'
Corner, Morton. Conceded by Kieran Tierney.
Goal!
Posted at 25'
Goal! Celtic 2, Morton 0. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kieran Tierney.
Posted at 25'
Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Posted at 24'
Attempt missed. Mikael Lustig (Celtic) header from very close range is too high.
Posted at 24'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Thomas O'Ware.
Posted at 23'
Attempt blocked. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Posted at 22'
Attempt saved. Joe McKee (Morton) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 22'
Attempt blocked. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Posted at 19'
Attempt blocked. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Posted at 19'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Lee Kilday.
Posted at 19'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Stefan McCluskey.
Posted at 18'
Attempt blocked. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Goal!
Posted at 14'
Goal! Celtic 1, Morton 0. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Gary Mackay-Steven.
Posted at 11'
Corner, Morton. Conceded by Craig Gordon.
Booking
Posted at 10'
Erik Sviatchenko (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Posted at 10'
Foul by Erik Sviatchenko (Celtic).
Posted at 10'
Declan McManus (Morton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 8'
Foul by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
Posted at 8'
Denny Johnstone (Morton) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 5'
Foul by Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic).
Posted at 5'
Declan McManus (Morton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 4'
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Lee Kilday.
Kick Off
Posted at
First Half begins.
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.