Celtic 2
Ross County 0
Scottish Cup (3rd Round)

Match Report

Source unknown.

Ross County frustrated an out of sorts Celtic in the first half with an impressive defensive display.

And after the break David Winters and Graham Bayne went close to scoring for the First Division side.

The Premier League leaders looked sluggish in the early stages and found it difficult to break down the stubborn First Division side, who were packing men behind the ball.

County gave the subdued home support a fright after 14 minutes when the ball broke to Mark McCulloch and he fired just past the angle from 25 yards.

Hartson had the ball in the net in the 24th minute when he muscled Sean Webb off the ball, from Henrik Larsson's flick over the top, but referee Iain Brines deemed the challenge illegal.

Celtic carved out a great chance in the 27th minute when Neil Lennon picked out Shaun Maloney on the edge of the penalty box but his shot was well kept out by the diving Graeme Smith.

It was County who created the best chances and a ragged Celtic side were hanging on.

In the 56th minute John Rankin fired the ball across goal and Robert Douglas spilled the ball straight to David Winters. The striker picked up the ball and hit a powerful shot which the Scotland goalkeeper blocked well to save his own blushes.

Winters was presented with another opening but he chipped just wide before Sutton blazed wide at the other end from 20 yards.

The visitors threatened again just after the hour when Jim Lauchlan got on the end of Rankin's corner but was unable to direct his header on target.

County went even closer to grabbing the lead, four minutes later, when Rankin picked out Graham Bayne unmarked in the box but he headed inches over the bar.

With 16 minutes remaining, Hartson found room on the edge of the six yard box after appearing to shove Lauchlan to the ground and the Welsh striker glanced home a cross from Wallace.

Larsson could have sealed the result twice when first his strike was saved by the feet of Smith before heading against the post.

But Lambert did put the game out of reach in the 78th minute when his long-range strike took a deflection before nestling in the top corner of the net.