Celtic Football Club Statement

FOLLOWING the events during the game against Hearts at Tynecastle on Wednesday night, Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell has made the following statement.

“Last night’s appalling attack on Neil Lennon brings shame on Scottish football and again highlights the fact that Scottish society must address fundamental and serious issues which lead to outrages of this kind.

"Apart from last night’s events, this week alone we have seen seven people arrested at our Training Ground following an alleged firearms incident and I can also confirm that this morning (Thursday) another package arrived at Celtic Park which appears to contain ammunition. This has been removed and taken by Police for further forensic tests. We are the only Club to be the subject of such vile, sustained and relentless attacks.

"It is intolerable that any football club, or individual, going about their lawful business in the name of sport should be subjected to this ongoing campaign of hatred and intimidation. This is Scotland’s shame and it is high time Scotland addressed it.

"Since moving here a decade ago, Neil Lennon has had to endure prejudice and violence both as a player and manager, having suffered no such problems elsewhere. In doing so, he has displayed a strength of character and resilience which deserve respect from all who oppose the campaign of intimidation against him.

"He is a man who is proud to be the Celtic manager and is someone who simply wants to be able to carry out his role in the same way as every other football manager can. Clearly, Neil will continue to receive every support and protection from Celtic Football Club.

"We are deeply appreciative of the intensive police efforts to address the criminal offences that have come to light. All right-minded people will surely condemn these actions but, as a society, we must also address the underlying factors that lead to such behaviour."

Seville Celts return for John Kennedy Tribute Match

THE Hoops of today will take on the Seville Celts in a Tribute Match for John Kennedy on Sunday, May 22.

The match at Celtic Park kicks-off at 2pm and the Seville Select team will feature a host of stars from the incredible 2002/03 season including Chris Sutton and John Hartson, who will play alongside the current Celtic management team of Neil Lennon, Johan Mjallby and Alan Thompson.

And the big names aren’t restricted to the men on the pitch as none other than Martin O’Neill will be returning to Celtic Park to manage the Seville Select team. 

Fans’ favourite and Celtic legend, Lubo Moravcik will also take part in the match and other former stars participating will be announced in due course.

John Kennedy said: “I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to arrange this match.

“To have Martin O’Neill and many great former players agree to return to Celtic Park and play in this match is a huge honour for me.

“I have many memories from my time playing in the first team and I’m sure this day will be another day to remember.”

Neil Lennon added: “I’m delighted to take part in this match for John. It was incredibly sad that a player of John’s considerable talent had to retire at such a young age due to injury.

“However, it will be fantastic to play once again for Martin O’Neill and team up with many of my former team mates – in particular those I played with in Seville.

“I’m sure everyone who turns up on the day will have a fantastic time.”

Martin O’Neill said: "I am very much looking forward to returning to Celtic Park to take charge of the Seville Select team for the tribute match in aid of John Kennedy - a very talented young player who had incredible potential - unfortunately cut short by injury.

“It will be great to see so many familiar faces, although all slightly older and I'm sure it will be a fantastic day for all who come along."


Tickets will go on sale 9am on Monday, April 18 from the Celtic Ticket Office, online at the official Celtic website or by calling 0871 226 1888*.

Premium and corporate tickets will also go on sale the same day.
Proceeds of the game will be split equally between John Kennedy and Celtic Charity Fund.

*Calls cost up to 10p per minute, telecoms provider dependent. Mobile and other provider charges may vary.

93´	FULL TIME: CELTIC 1 ST MIRREN 0
91´	St Mirren continue to press on the Celtic defence
89´	Three minutes have been added.
88´	Stokes curls a free-kick over the bar but it goes just past the bar.
86´	Potter comes close from outside the box but his shot goes just past the top corner of Forter's goal
84´	Forrest attempts a shot from the edge of the box after a good run but it goes over the bar.
81´	St Mirren subs: Mair off, Barron on. Murray off, Wardlaw on.
78´	GOAL!!! CELTIC 1 ST MIRREN 0 Commons sends a low drive into the bottom corner of the net after a good lay off from Maloney.
76´	Maloney's cross into the box picks up a deflection and Gallacher catches the ball.
72´	St Mirren sub: McLean off, Travner on.
70´	Celtic sub: Ljungberg off, Commons on.
69´	Izaguirre wins a corner for Celtic. He takes it himself and Mulgrew heads it just off target.
68´	Higdon attempts to chip Forster from far out but he can't keep the ball on target.
65´	Play resumes and Mulgrew enters the field of play again.
65´	Izaguirre terrorises the Buddies' defence and wins a corner. It comes to nothing though.
64´	Mulgrew takes a knock inside Celtic's box and receives treatment.
63´	Gallacher punches a Celtic corner clear.
61´	Celtic sub: Ki off, Ledley on.
58´	Izaguirre's cross to the far post goes beyond everyone.
56´	Steven Thomson runs in on goal but Mulgrew blocks his low cross into centre of the box.
55´	Kayal plays the ball down to Maloney who makes the break. Controlling the ball on his chest he looks dangerous the closer he gets to the box but McAusland does well to mark him and as a result Maloney can't finish his good move.
54´	Celtic corner. Cha attempts a glancing header but the ball is booted away by his marker.
52´	Stokes plays in Maloney but his effort is too weak and it goes just wide of the post.
51´	Mulgrew takes a free-kick deep inside St Mirren's half. Play remains in the final third but Celtic can't break the Buddies down.
49´	Celtic corner taken by Ki. After some play just outside the box, Stokes attempts a shot from the near post but it is punched away by Gallacher.
47´	Celtic play the ball out for a goal-kick
46´	Celtic sub: Hooper off, Maloney on. The 28-year-old returns from injury and makes his first appearance since the end of November.
45´	+1 HALF TIME: CELTIC 0 ST MIRREN 0
44´	The referee has added on one minute of stoppage time.
43´	St Mirren take their first corner kick but Higdon's touch goes high over the bar.
41´	Celtic's attack fizzles out and St Mirren win a goal-kick
38´	Ljungberg wins Celtic a free-kick between the edge of the box and the corner flag. Ki crosses it in and Mulgrew comes close with a header but it goes just high over the bar.
36´	Forrest dances past a St Mirren defender, skins Paddy Cregg and then skips past a cluster of three players attempting to block him, but his low drive is weak and he misses the chances to finish a sublime move with a goal.
34´	Ki attempts a trade mark long-range effort from outside of the box but he can't keep it on target.
32´	There's too much on Izaguirre's cross into the box and it falls close to the corner flag. Ki attempts to win it but it goes out for a St Mirren throw-in.
29´	Ki takes Celtic's first corner of the afternoon but it comes to nothing.
26´	Cha crosses the ball to the far side of the penalty box and it meets Stokes' head. The striker was unlucky to see his effort go just wide of the post.
24´	Good passing play from Celtic but they still can't break down the St Mirren defence.
21´	Hooper flicks the ball onto Forrest but despite his good run Lee Mair kicks it out for a throw-in.
19´	Celtic win back possession and win a free-kick just inside St Mirren's half. The ball eventually goes out for a goal-kick.
18´	Free-kick to St Mirren just beyond the half-way line.
14´	Forrest moves the ball well despite two defenders marking him and crosses the ball to Stokes. The striker's first touch is too much though and it rolls into the path of the St Mirren defender who clears it away.
12´	Forrest and Ljungberg have swapped sides, with the Scottish winger now playing on the right flank.
11´	Forrest plays in Hooper six yards from goal and the striker beats the offside trap, but his low shot is blocked by Paul Gallacher.
10´	St Mirren walk the ball out for a goal-kick
8´	Stokes hits the ball back to Ljungberg with his heel to prevent it going out for a corner. The move leads to a throw-in.
7´	Hooper, with three defenders on him, manages to play the ball onto Stokes. With Hooper down the Irishman crosses the ball over him to James Forrest but it's intersected.
5´	Higdon's effort hits the wall. Kenny McLean attempts to make something of the rebound but can't produce the goods.
4´	St Mirren line up a free-kick six yards from the penalty box.
2´	Glenn Loovens clears an early danger out of Celtic's box.
1´	The teams kick-off. Celtic are shooting from left to right, towards the Lisbon Lions stand.
0´	CELTIC (4-4-2): Forster; Cha, Loovens, Mulgrew, Izaguirre; Ljungberg, Kayal, Ki, Forrest; Stokes, Hooper Subs: Zaluska, Wilson, Rogne, Ledley, Commons, Maloney, Samaras ST MIRREN (4-4-2): Gallacher; Mair, Potter, Cregg, McGregor; Thomson, Murray, McLean, Goodwin; McAusland, Higdon Subs: Samson, Mooy,McKernon, Van Zanten, Travner, Wardlaw, Barron

Celtic 3 - 1 Hibernian

Celtic returned to the top of the Scottish Premier League with a comfortable win against Hibernian.

Anthony Stokes fired the hosts into a fourth minute lead, then Gary Hooper converted from a penalty after Scott Brown was fouled by Hibs' Martin Scott.
Hooper added his second of the night before the break, then a Liam Miller penalty gave Hibs a lifeline.
Six minutes from time, Hooper sent a penalty wide after Freddie Ljungberg was brought down by Paul Hanlon.
The victory puts Celtic two points ahead of Rangers at the top of the table, with both clubs having played the same number of matches.
Celtic made three changes from the side who lost the Co-operative Insurance Cup final to Rangers with Stokes, Glenn Loovens and James Forrest all starting and Thomas Rogne, Georgios Samaras and Kris Commons all named on the bench.

Hibs made four changes after their draw with Hearts at the weekend, as Michael Hart, David Stephens, David Wotherspoon and Ricardo Vaz Te were all added to the team for the visit to the east end of Glasgow.
Hooper almost snatched the lead for Celtic inside the first minute, but struck straight at a fully-alert Mark Brown in the Hibernian goal.
Two minutes later, Stokes made no mistake when Izaguirre threaded through a neat pass and the Irishman blasted the ball into the back of the net.
Hooper grabbed Celtic's second from the spot after Scott was penalised for a clumsy challenge on Celtic captain Brown in the 20th minute.
A Charlie Mulgrew free-kick almost handed Loovens his second goal of the season when the big Dutchman rose highest and nodded wide.
The onslaught continued when Forrest fired in a right-footed shot from the edge of the Hibernian penalty area that warmed the hands of Brown.
Hibs' first opportunity of the match arrived from a free-kick wide on the right that Miller sent straight into the arms of Celtic keeper Fraser Forster. Moments later, Vaz Te beat the offside trap to test Forster, who could only parry wide for a corner.
The Hibs defence were left standing as half-time approached when Stokes delivered an inch-perfect ball through to Hooper and the Englishman struck with precision past Brown.
On the stroke of half-time, Vaz Te headed a sterling opportunity wide of Forster's left-hand post.

Shortly after the interval, Derek Riordan sprang into action and struck for goal from 18 yards out, Forster deflecting out for a corner - then the former Celtic man was substituted for Akpo Sodje due to injury.
Brown had to look lively in the Hibs goal when Hooper bore down on him chasing a defence-splitting pass, then Izaguirre flashed a shot across the face of goal and inches past the right-hand post.
Wotherspoon went down in the Celtic penalty area after a feeble challenge from Mulgrew in the 67th minute and referee Euan Norris pointed to the spot.
Former Celtic midfielder Miller stepped up and coolly lobbed the ball past Forster to handed Hibs a lifeline.
Stokes fired in a curling free-kick in the 72nd minute, but Hibs keeper Brown saw it coming a mile off and parried wide for a corner.
A searching cross from Wotherspoon 10 minutes from the end could not find a Hibernian team-mate and the brief spell of pressure from the visitors soon fizzled out.
In the final 10 minutes, Ljungberg came off the Celtic bench and earned the hosts another spot-kick after Hanlon needlessly brought the Swede down near the goal-line.
However, Hooper passed up the chance to complete his hat-trick when he stepped up and sent the ball wide of Brown's left-hand post.

celtic 2 - 1 inverness

• 90+3'There goes the final whisle! Celtic win 2-1. They will meet Aberdeen in the last four of the Scottish Cup. A fair result. Celtic were the better side by a fair distance.
• 90+2'Celtic break before Samaras is taken out of the play by Duff. Dundee United are 2-0 ahead of Hearts in the SPL.
• 90+1'Samaras holds up the play. Another decent tackle by Duncan. Celtic trying to take their time. The visiting fans look happy enough with their side's efforts. Esson saves from Forrest's shot.
• 89' Going to be three minutes added to this match. We are into added time.
• 88' Hayes goes for the ball down the middle, but an easy enough ball to deal with for Mulgrew and Loovens. Celtic on course for the last four unless Inverness can find an equaliser.
• 87'Celtic taking the sting out of this game. They are pressing the ball as much as possible, but Inverness can't get out as the Glasgow side continue to push and probe.
• 86' Poor cross by Izaguirre. The ball flies over the bar. Not really expecting that from the Celtic man. Caley with the goalkick.
• 85' Stunning strike from Ledley! He goes for the hat-trick by a fine stop by Esson. The visiting side have the corner, but Caley get the ball away from Ki's corner.
• 84'St Mirren have pulled one back at Pittodrie. They now trail 2-1 at Aberdeen. Dundee United lead Hearts 1-0 in the SPL.
• 83' Kayal goes for goal from distance. Well over the bar. Celtic look to run down the clock in these final minutes.
• 82' Aaron Doran arrives to replace Ross for the home side.
• 81' The home manager Terry Butcher is not very happy with some of the decisions this evening. His side are heading for the exit door as we stand. Loovens blocks the shot by Rooney. Solid defending.
• 80' Celtic win a throw-in on their halfway line. Caley looking to make another change. All or nothing for them now.
• 79' Ki picks out Forrest. He looks for the shot, but whacks Duff wth the shot. Caley can get out from the back.
• 78' Forrest slides the ball into the path of Samaras. He tries to find Kayal, but the midfielder can't keep it in. Caley with the throw-in.
• 77' Celtic lead 2-1. Aberdeen 2-0 St Mirren. That is how we stand in the Scottish Cup last eight. Duff picks out Hayes before Ross plays the ball forward, but Forster is out to deal with the problem.
• 76' Duff looks for the pace of Hayes. He tries to outstrip Izaguirre. Good burst of pace, but Ledley is back to make the clearance.
• 75' Another long ball from Tokely. It flies too long. Celtic have regained some control of this match. The visiting side could do with another goal. Celtic on the attack. Forrest's ball is cleared by Munro.
• 74' Tokely knocks the ball long, but Izaguirre picks the ball up. Kayal on the ball. Ledley picks up the ball again on the halfway line. He wins a throw-in.
• 73' Loovens heads out the ball from Munro before Samaras spins past Duff. Crosses into the area, but no takers in that box. Nice play by Samaras.
• 72' Sutherland departs to be replaced by Johnny Hayes. Inverness trying desperately to find a leveller.
• 71' Cox goes for goal after Loovens had headed out from Sutherland's ball. Wide of the target.
• 70' 6,064 inside the ground for this one. This match has certainly come to life in the second period. Celtic fans in party mood in the away end. They are heading for a meeting with Aberdeen in the semis at the moment.
• 69' Caley almost in for the equaliser. Foran just misses Rooney with the cross before Forster punches a corner out seconds later. Mulgrew back in the trenches to clear the danger.
• 68' GOAL FOR CELTIC! Ki delivers the free-kick and Ledley heads the ball into the net. Superb delivery and finish from the Welshman. His second of the game. Celtic lead 2-1.
• 67' Duff is going to be booked here. Not sure if that was for dissent or the late tackle on Izaguirre.
• 66' Going to be a change here for the visiting side. Commons is going to depart to be replaced by James Forrest.
• 65' Sutherland goes for goal for Caley, but he has pulled his shot well wide. Eight yards past the post.
• 64' News about the Lennon suspension issue to bring you. "Celtic have stated they did not challenge the ban imposed on manager Neil Lennon in the aftermath of his clash with Rangers assistant boss Ally McCoist to take into consideration "the wider interests of the club and Scottish football". Read more here.... Celtic won't challenge Lennon ban
• 63' The replay of this match, if one is needed, will be on April 5 at Celtic Park. Plenty of time for a winner yet with Celtic back on the ball.
• 62' Celtic win a free-kick which Commons is going to take from distance. He hammers it low and hard past the wall, but just past the post. So unlucky!
• 61' Good defending by Loovens, who rises about Foran to head the ball out. All a bit scrappy, but that suits Inverness, who are more than up for a scrap.
• 60' Rooney dashing through on goal. Forster is going to come, but Mulgrew doesn't hang about as he thumps the ball out of the area. Caley enjoying more joy now.
• 59' Hooper can break for Celtic from the corner, but Cox is back to collect the ball for Inverness. The home side certainly looking a lot more dangerous in this half.
• 58' Good pressing play by Ledley seconds later as he close down three home players. Inverness win a corner, only their second one of the match.
• 57' Celtic thankful to Forster for that save. Celtic pick the ball up in the midfield. Ki content to go all the way back to Loovens.
• 56' Wonderful save by Forster! Sutherland gets the shot in, but the keeper nudged it wide. So close to a second for Inverness.
• 55' Mulgrew hammers the three-man wall before Caley clear the chipped ball by Commons. Caley survive that hairy moment.
• 54' Foran catches Commons late. Chance here for Celtic to have a dig from 25 yards out. Really good chance.
• 53' Duncan picks the pocket of Kayal seconds later, but Foran is tackled by Juarez as he dashed back. Both sides pressing the game up the park.
• 52' Superb run and cross by Kayal, but Tokely is on hand to mop up. Celtic really going for this now.
• 51' Mulgrew meets Commons' corner. His header flies up towards the home goal, but Esson claws the ball out from under the bar. The next corner is wasted and Caley have a goalkick.
• 50' Great tackle by Duncan on Samaras as he raced into the area. Corner to the visiting side.
• 49' Sutherland knocks over Ledley. They take the free-kick, but Izaguirre takes a tumble. Ross tries the cross at the other end, but flies past the post and Celtic have a goalkick.
• 48' Ledley clears towards Hooper, but Hogg gets in there to make the intervention. Mulgrew then makes the tackle on Rooney.
• 47' Hoggs pumps a free-kick long and high, but headed out by Loovens. Caley attacking their home end in this half as Duff picks it up.
• 46' We are off and running in the second half. All square at 1-1. All to play for.
• 45+2' There goes the whistle! Celtic go in level at 1-1. Game back in the melting pot. They will be happy to get to the interval level. No more than they deserve.
• 45+2' GOAL FOR CELTIC! Ledley levels it up. Fine cross by Izaguirre and Ledley takes a lovely touch before slamming the ball beyond Esson from six yards. That is a relief for the travelling fans.
• 44' Two minutes to be added to the half.
• 43' Inverness fans going wild after that goal. Is there another shock on the cards this evening?
• 42' GOAL FOR INVERNESS! Rooney slams the ball low into the corner of a net. Forster dives, but can't keep the ball out. Superb penalty.
• 41' PENALTY TO INVERNESS! Mulgrew brings down Foran and the home side have a penalty. Would you believe it? Think the linesman rather than the referee gave that one.
• 40' Aberdeen now lead 2-0 in the night's other Scottish Cup quarter-final. Looks like they are heading for the last four.
• 39' Ledley brings down Ross and that is free-kick to Inverness which Duncan is going to take.
• 38' Celtic with 57% of possesion so far to 42% for the home side. Neither side have had a shot at goal so far. Sums it up really.
• 37' Inverness working tremendously hard to close down space with Cox and Duncan racing around with some relish.
• 36' Duncan takes the free-kick, but really poor delivery before Tokely does likewise with another long ball seconds later.
• 35' Looven hammers Ross late and Inverness win a free-kick. How did he escape a booking there? Awful tackle.
• 34' Ki takes Sutherland out of the play late, but Hogg's free-kick is taken with some ease by Forster. All a bit mediocre at the moment.
• 33' Duff fouls Ledley and Celtic earn the free-kick. Ledley delivers the free-kick from out wide, but that is an easy enough take for Esson.
• 32' Izaguirre enjoying some real joy whenever he takes on Duff.
• 31' More fine play by Izaguirre driving down a flank. Throws over a cross for Samaras, but Esson is on hand to punch the ball clear.
• 30' Esson knocks the ball long for Celtic. The visiting side starting to gain control of the match. Inverness toiling to piece together momentum.
• 29' Ki throws over a corner for Celtic, but Foran is on hand to whack the ball up the park.
• 28' Munro standing over this one. He throws in the free-kick, but a pretty mediocre effort and Celtic pick the ball up.
• 27' Kayal brings down Foran later and Caley have a free-kick of their own in the middle of the park.
• 26' Aberdeen continue to holda 1-0 lead over St Mirren in the other Scottish Cup quarter-final match this evening. The winner of that will face Inverness or Celtic in the last four.
• 25' Loovens knocks the free-kick into the area, but that is nodded wide by Samaras. Samaras in for Stokes this evening and is also captain in place of Scott Brown.
• 24' Foran brings down Juarez and Celtic have a free-kick.
• 23' Celtic looking to exploit the Inverness defence as much as possible. The pace of Izaguirre is a real threat to the home team.
• 22' Izaguirre bounded beyond Duff. Crosses the ball into the box, but Esson can claim after Hogg got a head on the ball.
• 21' Superb chance for Inverness! Great ball by Sutherland to the back post. Ball dropped to Foran at the back post, but he knocked that shot wide from five yards. What a chance!
• 20' Cox looks for Foran in the air, but he has overhit that ball. Too long and there is more scrappy play in this match. Theme so far.
• 19' Mulgrew tries to pick out a team-mate, but his long ball is hopeless. Inverness back on the ball. Aberdeen lead St Mirren 1-0 in their quarter-final replay.
• 18' Ki looks for Hooper on the run, but he goes too early and that is offside against the English forward.
• 17' Commons goes for goal from the edge of the box. Leaning back and the shot flies over the bar. Well over the bar. Another goalkick to the home side.
• 16' Foran tackles Hooper and Celtic have another corner. Ball flies over, but a bit too deep and Esson watches that sail harmlessly pass his post.
• 15' Commons looking sharp for Celtic. Esson throws the ball to Munro. He hoists another long ball up the park, but met by Loovens before he gets the ball forward.
• 14' Kayal knocks the ball forward, but that is another wayward pass from the Celtic midfielder. Neither side finding their team-mates at the moment. Game yet to settle.
• 13' Great run by Izaguirre. Super pace from the full-back, but his cross is clutched by Esson in the home goal. Inverness survive that moment.
• 12' Loovens looks to pick out Samaras, but Munro is watching him like a hawk as the ball flies out for a throw-in to the home side deep in their own half.
• 11' Duff gets the ball forward for Inverness before Juarez picks it up for the visiting team. Both teams full of energy. Commons looks for the run of Hooper, but Inverness spot the danger to collect the ball.
• 10' Samaras produces a lovely turn of pace. Races up the park almost 50 yards, but the cross lets him down as the ball flies out of play on the full.
• 9' Duff tries to pick out Rooney, but he is tracked well by Mulgrew. Better play by the home side. Celtic win possession.
• 8' Foran catches Commons late and Celtic look to take this free-kick early. Duff picks up a loose ball, but another long ball doesn't do the home side any favours. Celtic on the ball.
• 7' Ki and Loovens exchange passes. Izaguirre is robbed of the ball by Duff, but his pass is nowhere and suddenly Celtic are back in possession.
• 6' Foran hammers a shot at goal as Caley look to attack. Blocked by Loovens. Bright start to this match. About 6,000 in for this one this evening. Foran robs Commons of the ball before Celtic pick it up moments later.
• 5' Super delivery from Commons. Finds the head of Loovens, but he has nodded that over from five yards! Glorious chance. Free chance, but the Dutch defender is high with the header.
• 4' Commons throws over the ball, but headed over his own bar by Tokely. Celtic have an early chance here from the corner.
• 3' Samaras on the ball, but he is knocked over by Duncan. Free-kick chance for the visiting side which Commons or Ki is going to take.
• 2' Samaras knocks the ball down to Commons. He appeals for an early corner, but nothing doing. Goal-kick to the home side which Esson is going to take.
• 1' We are off and running in this one. Commons immediately on the ball for Celtic.
• 19.40 These teams competing for a spot in the semi-final against Aberdeen or St Mirren with Dundee United hosting Hearts in the Scottish Premier League. Teams out on the pitch, and we are almost ready to go. Celtic have won the Scottish Cup 34 times. Chance to make it 35 this season.
• 19.35 Neil Lennon is back in the stands tonight as he continues to serve his four-match touchline ban. Celtic striker Gary Hooper is confident his manager will be at the Glasgow club next season. Click here for Hooper's take on Lennon. Hooper: Lennon won't leave us
• 19.30 INVERNESS TEAM NEWS: Terry Butcher's team are unchanged from the side that defeated Motherwell 3-0 in the SPL on March 5. Inverness pair Jonny Hayes and Aaron Doran take their place in the Caley starting line-up having shrugged off injuries.
• 19.25 CELTIC TEAM NEWS: Celtic are without the injured Daniel Majstorovic, while Scott Brown and Mark Wilson are suspended. Celtic bring in Glenn Loovens to partner Charlie Mulgrew at the heart of the visiting defence. Georgios Samaras captains Celtic in the absence of Scott Brown.
• 19.20 The referee is Mike Tumilty.
• 19.15 Teams for this evening: Inverness CT: Esson, Tokely, Hogg, Munro, Duff, Ross, Cox, Duncan, Foran, Rooney, Sutherland Subs: Tuffey, Hayes, Innes, MacDonald, Doran Celtic: Forster, Izaguirre, Juarez, Loovens, Mulgrew, Commons, Ledley, Ki, Kayal, Hooper, Samaras Subs: Zaluska, Rogne, McCourt, Forrest, Stokes
• 19.10 Celtic downed Inverness 1-0 on the opening day of the SPL season in Inverness while they drew 2-2 at Celtic Park in December with Terry Butcher's side recovering from trailing 2-0. There was also a 6-0 win for Celtic in the League Cup at Celtic Park in September, but that was when the visiting side fielded a weakened team.
• 19.05 Celtic have lost couple of times to Inverness in the Scottish Cup. They went down 3-1 at Celtic Park in 1999 and lost 1-0 to Caley in 2003 when John Robertson was the Highland club's manager. Whatever Celtic are expecting tonight, they are not anticipating an easy job.
• 19.00 Good evening and welcome to live coverage of Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Celtic in the Scottish Cup. Both teams competing for a spot in the last four of the tournament.

Celtic fans up there with the best

A NEW poll has confirmed what’s been known for a long time – that Celtic supporters are amongst the best in football.

The poll saw Celtic take their place alongside some of the top English Premiership clubs as having the best away supporters in Britain.

This is something that has long been recognised in football, with both UEFA and FIFA having previously awarded their respective Fair Play Awards to the Celtic support for their conduct and behaviour in following the team throughout Europe.

A Celtic spokesperson said: “Our fans play an important part in any success we enjoy, home or away, and the manager and players have often referred to them as our 12th man.

“And with an important away Scottish Cup tie against Inverness Caley Thistle this weekend, we know that our supporters will give their backing to the team in the positive manner they always do, promoting the good name of Celtic.”

Majstorovic injury blow for Celtic

DANIEL Majstorovic could be missing for up to eight weeks after picking up an injury in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Hamilton.

The big defender was forced to come off at half-time and was replaced by Thomas Rogne. After the match, it was discovered that he had suffered a fractured right toe.

And following a specialist consultation, it’s been estimated the Swedish internationalist will be out of action for six to eight weeks.

While the loss of the experienced stopper will be a blow for Neil Lennon, the Hoops are well-covered in this position with Rogne, Charlie Mulgrew and Glenn Loovens all capable of filling in at the heart of the defence.