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.

Support for Neil and family

A SUSPECT package addressed to Neil Lennon was today intercepted at a Royal Mail sorting office in Saltcoats. Alert postal staff spotted it and, thankfully, it proved to be a hoax.

It comes just weeks after bullets were sent through the post to the Celtic manager, along with two of the Club’s Irish players, Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn.

Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “Clearly, this most recent sickening event in a long line of threats to Neil and his family is extremely worrying.

“This demonstrates the intensity and pressure which Neil endures as the Celtic manager. However, he has coped with these issues incredibly well during his short time as manager, showing what a strong character he is.

“Indeed, it is extremely sad that Neil has had to contend with such issues for more than a decade, both as a Celtic player and manager.

“No-one in any walk of life should have to live their life in this way and those responsible should be condemned.

“It goes without saying Neil and his family will continue to receive every support from the Club.

“We know Neil will also have the full backing of all our fans as he and the Club did on Wednesday evening. While these events are very concerning, we would ask that they continue to back the Club in this positive Celtic manner.

“While the authorities and other commentators have taken a close interest in recent football events, we would hope they would give similar attention to also condemning such actions.”

Celtic 1 - 0 Rangers

Rangers had three players sent off as they lost an ill-tempered Scottish Cup fifth-round replay against Celtic.

Steven Whittaker was the first to go for a second booking after he fouled Emilio Izaguirre after 36 minutes.
Mark Wilson fired Celtic in front early in the second half and the visitors could not muster a response.
Madjid Bougherra got his second caution for a foul on Kris Commons and El-Hadji Diouf's dissent meant a second caution for the forward after full-time.
Neil Lennon's side will now face Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the quarter-finals and Celtic remain in contention to complete a domestic treble, a feat now out of Rangers' reach.

Rangers, who lost forwards Nikica Jelavic and Kyle Lafferty in the run-up to kick-off through a hamstring injury and tonsillitis respectively, struggled to get out of their own half early on and Sasa Papac escaped a booking after felling Wilson.
However, the visitors did carve out a chance when Diouf, deployed in a lone striker role, ran on to Whittaker's pass and goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska, in for the suspended Fraser Forster, came off his line somewhat hastily.
Diouf rounded Zaluska near the byeline and crossed but Daniel Majstorovic headed away and Celtic eventually mopped up the danger.
Ki Sung-Yeung tried his luck from distance with a fierce left-foot shot but the attempt was always rising over the top.
Having shown leniency in the opening 27 minutes, referee Calum Murray's patience over scrappy fouls finally wavered when Whittaker was booked for tripping Ki.
And Whittaker received his marching orders when his reckless lunge on Izaguirre was punished with a second yellow and then a red card.

Wilson's second-half goal gave Celtic the edge

The incident provoked an angry exchange between Diouf and the Celtic bench and, after the Rangers dug-out got involved, Diouf was booked and Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist and Celtic boss Neil Lennon were given a warning by referee Murray.
When the play re-started, a dreadful back pass by Maurice Edu allowed Georgios Samaras a free shot at the Rangers goal but goalkeeper Allan McGregor blocked well and the ball rebounded off Samaras and out of play.
Commons flashed a shot over from the edge of the box as Celtic continued to push.
Celtic captain Scott Brown joined team-mate Majstorovic in the book and Rangers' John Fleck was also shown a yellow card as an ill-tempered half drew to a close
But Ki still had time to send a free-kick narrowly over the visitors' bar.
But, though the action on the park had taken a break, there was more drama in the tunnel as players and backroom staff from both sides remonstrated while they trooped into the dressing rooms.
Celtic were on the front foot at the start of the second half and went ahead when Izaguirre's cross found Wilson at the back post.
The full-back's initial shot was superbly blocked on the line by the head of Papac but the ball broke back to Wilson and his second effort bounced over McGregor and evaded Bougherra on the line.

Papac was clearly hurt by his headed clearance and lay prostrate in the goal mouth for several minutes before being stretchered off to be replaced by Gregg Wylde.
Rangers were almost gifted an equaliser when Charlie Mulgrew's wayward header looped back towards his own goal and Zaluska had to retreat to clutch the ball under pressure from Diouf.
Bougherra was booked for catching Gary Hooper and the Celtic striker required treatment off the park before returning to the play.
Another vicious drive by Ki swerved just wide of McGregor's goal and Samaras blasted a shot against the base of the post after running on to Brown's incisive through ball.
Samaras had two more chances to score, his first header collected by McGregor and his next cleared off the goal-line by Wylde.
Rangers threw Kyle Bartley forward in search of a goal and a foul on the big defender gave the visitors their only real shot at goal but Diouf's free-kick was straight at Zaluska.
The Ibrox side were further depleted in injury time when Bougherra took out Commons and, after furious protests from the Algerian, the defender got his second booking and a red card.
And the same fate befell Diouf after the final whistle, the forward's dissent also incurring a second caution.
There was another clash on the touchline as Lennon and McCoist exchanged words and had to be held apart as a controversial night drew to a close.

Live text and stats

Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Scottish Cup

Home Team	Score	Away Team	Time
Celtic	1-0	Rangers	FT
(HT 0-0)
Wilson 48

.