Celtic secure narrow passage

Celtic secured their place in the Scottish Cup fifth round - but only after emerging with a narrow 1-0 victory at plucky second division opponents Arbroath.

Full-back Adam Matthews was their unlikely match-winner with an excellent drive into the top corner on eighteen minutes. It was sufficient to earn his side a visit to first division Raith Rovers in the next round.

Greek international Georgios Samaras headed straight at Scott Morrison early on and Lassad had an effort ruled out for offside, until Matthews strode forward and cracked a tremendous finish past the keeper to give the visitors the lead.

That could have been increased when Lassad struck weakly at Morrison from their next opportunity. But Arbroath thought they were back level into the second-half as Steven Doris - their scorer in the first game eleven days ago - converted Paul Sheerin's cross. Referee Craig Charleston immediately disallowed the strike for a foul on Fraser Forster.

Midfield pair Scott Brown and Beram Kayal both sent attempts wide at the other end before the latter forced a fine stop from Morrison, whose opposite number Forster then blocked well from substitute Connor Birse as the determined underdogs continued to chase an equaliser.

Arbroath: Morrison, Baxter, Hamilton, Malcolm, Keddie, Robertson, Kerr (Birse 76), Sibanda (Rennie 73), Paul Currie, Sheerin (Holmes 76), Doris

subs (unused): Bullock, Gribben

Celtic: Forster, Lustig, Ambrose, Wilson, Matthews (McGeouch 90), Brown, Kayal, Mulgrew, Izaguirre (Wanyama 65), Samaras, Lassad (Hooper 65)

subs (unused): Zaluska, Miku

Goal: Matthews (18)

Ref: Charleston

Att: 4,127

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