Celtic negotiated their way back into playing mode with a 5-0 win over Buckie Thistle in the Scottish Cup.
Nineteen days after a 3-0 win away to St Mirren there were five different goalscorers involved as the Highland League side exited the competition with their reputation intact.
Celtic had four goals disallowed on VAR calls, fans watching the match on Viaplay were left frustrated by the images provided which just seemed two be two parallel lines with little in the way of explanations.
There was controversy as early as the third minute when Steven McLean on VAR duty held a lengthy review looking for a penalty for a foul on Liel Abada despite the winger clearly being offside.
After that the Main Stand side linesman was kept busy but there was no issue with Paulo Bernardo scoring the opening goal in the 25th minute, the third time in four matches that the Benfica midfielder has broke the deadlock.
Odin Thiago Holm and Kyogo Furuashi scored before the break but there was no despondency from the visitors as they stuck to their game plan which wasn’t as defensive as many of the Premiership clubs that visit Celtic.
🎥 🏆 @CelticFC v @BuckieThistle
Sunday’s Fourth Round tie saw a dominant performance from Celtic, bringing Buckie Thistle’s run in the Cup to a close.#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/QyjOLgZ9Tb
— Scottish Gas Scottish Cup (@ScottishCup) January 21, 2024
Luis Palma scored a fine individual goal in the 50th minute before a cluster of substitutes were given the chance to impress.
Rocco Vata’s Celtic days appeared to be over after four substitute appearances last season, yesterday replacing Kyogo he scored his first senior goal with some opportunistic movement to anticipate Mikey Johnston’s low cut-back.
Other than the weather it seemed like a perfect day. Callum McGregor got a rest, the other main players got some game time while Vata did enough to suggest that he could be of use until Celtic’s interest in the Asian Cup comes to an end with young midfielder Daniel Kelly impressing his manager during his 20 minute cameo.
CLICK HERE for Rodgers excitement over summer signing
CLICK HERE for Vata’s Transfermarkt profile.
