Scottish Cup
Sunday, January 21, 2024
Celtic Park, Glasgow

CELTIC… 5
(Bernardo 24, Holm 32, Kyogo 41, Palma 49, Vata 75)

BUCKIE THISTLE… 0

Celtic booked their place in the next round of the Scottish Cup with a comfortable 5-0 victory over Buckie Thistle this afternoon (Sunday).

It was no surprise that the cup holders dominated from start to finish against their Highland League opponents, and as well as the five goals they scored, a further four were ruled out for offside.

The pattern of play from kick-off was not a surprise, given the gulf between the sides, and as early as the third minute Celtic had a penalty claim after Liel Abada was fouled inside the box.

However, the subsequent VAR review spotted an offside in the build-up, and it would not be the first time in the half that VAR would come to the Highland League club’s aid.

Celtic were dominating possession, facing 11 men behind the ball, but it wasn’t until the 14th minute that they created a clear-cut chance, with Alistair Johnston and Liel Abada combining to set up Kyogo, but the Buckie defence cleared the danger.

On 21 minutes, Celtic had the first of three goals ruled out for offside following a VAR check, with Greg Taylor denied the opener.

However, just three minutes later, the Hoops did score. Matt O’Riley threaded a ball through for Paulo Bernardo and the Portuguese midfielder lifted the ball over the keeper and into the net.

On the half-hour mark, Kyogo was denied a goal due to the offside flag, but Odin Holm did double Celtic’s lead on 32 minutes, and again it was O’Riley who provided the assist, playing a one-two with the Norwegian who slotted the ball home.

Liam Scales hit the bar with a header from a corner on 39 minutes, and just 60 seconds later, Buckie Thistle had their one chance of the half when Josh Peters was sent through on goal, but Joe Hart denied him a Paradise goal, stopping the effort with his foot.

Celtic immediately went up the park and scored, with O’Riley slotting the ball to Liel Abada, and his cross into the box was slotted home by Kyogo.

There was still time for another disallowed goal in the first-half, with Bernardo’s effort from an Abada assist ruled out for offside.

Five-star Celts see off Buckie Thistle in Scottish Cup victory