Celtic edge Old Firm derby
Sunday, January 9, 2005
Article summary
Goals from strikers Chris Sutton and John Hartson settled Celtic FC's Scottish Cup tie against Rangers FC.
Article body
By Alex O’Henley
John Hartson's goal 13 minutes from time gave Celtic FC a 2-1 victory against Old Firm rivals Rangers FC in the third round of the Scottish Cup on Sunday.
Sutton strike
Hartson, who signed a new two-year deal at Celtic Park on Friday, celebrated with his 18th goal of the season as the home side gained revenge for the 2-0 Scottish Premier League defeat by their Glasgow rivals in November. Chris Sutton was dismissed on that occasion but went some way to making amends when he prodded Hartson's flick-on through the legs of goalkeeper Stefan Klos on 37 minutes to give Celtic a half-time lead.
Last-gasp effort
Fernando Ricksen headed Rangers level moments after the re-start, and it looked to have earned his side a replay before Hartson latched on to Sutton's pass at the back post. Rangers did not lie down, however, and new signing Thomas Buffel, on as a second-half substitute for another debutant, Bojan Djordic, could have taken the game to a replay but contrived to fire a last-minute shot over from eight metres.
Dunfermline draw
If that game dominated the weekend's action, Third Division minnows East Fife FC almost stole Celtic's thunder as they held top-flight side Dunfermline Athletic FC to a 0-0 draw to earn a replay at East End Park in nine days' time. Heart of Midlothian FC also face a replay after they too were held to a goalless draw by First Division side Partick Thistle FC.
Golabek goal
Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC were more successful as they edged out First Division side St Johnstone FC by a solitary Stuart Golabek goal 16 minutes from time at the Caledonian Stadium, while Livingston FC's match against Greenock Morton FC was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Aberdeen earn win
Aberdeen FC enjoyed a return to winning ways as they overcame Arbroath FC as well as more atrocious weather conditions at Gayfield Park. Markus Heikkinen and Darren Mackie earned a 2-0 victory with the side's first goals in four games. Hibernian FC and Kilmarnock FC also enjoyed 2-0 wins in their respective all-Premier League ties against Dundee FC and Motherwell FC.
