By Martin Conaghan BBC Scotland

Celtic progressed to the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup with a comfortable win away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

An angled strike from Georgios Samaras opened the scoring in the 33rd minute.

David Proctor brought down Gary Hooper inside the Inverness penalty area with 67 minutes played and Celtic captain Scott Brown converted from the spot.

Inverness substitute Claude Gnakpa fired in a hopeful effort in the dying minutes that drifted over the bar.

The win is Celtic's third against Inverness in the Scottish Cup, with the Highland side having won two of the previous encounters.

Interview - Celtic manager Neil Lennon

Caley boss Terry Butcher replaced goalkeeper Ryan Esson with Jonny Tuffey and brought in midfielder Graeme Shinnie for Shane Sutherland.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon made four changes with Adam Matthews, Kelvin Wilson and Samaras in - along with a rare start for Kris Commons - while Cha Du-ri and Emilio Izaguirre were dropped and James Forrest and Anthony Stokes started on the bench.

Some hearty challenges in the opening stages gave way to a half-chance for Hooper in the sixth minute when he controlled a long ball in the Inverness penalty area but couldn't find a way through towards goal under pressure.

The first real chance of the match fell to Nick Ross on the edge of the Celtic penalty area in the 24th minute when he fired low towards the bottom left, but keeper Fraser Forster was at full stretch to turn it around the post.

From the resulting corner, Wilson appeared to handle the ball during a goalmouth scramble, but referee Calum Murray waved play on.

Moments later, Commons was presented with a golden opportunity when Hooper fed through a pass inside the Inverness penalty area, but the Scotland international mis-timed his shot and stumbled over the ball.

A low shot from Hooper as the half-hour mark approached was smothered by Tuffey, before Samaras thundered an swerving drive high past the Northern Irishman to put the visitors into the lead.

Ross Tokely almost caused a second goal when he fumbled a back-pass that Hooper intercepted, but Tuffey was on-hand to clear the danger.

A poor free-kick from Greg Tansey sailed over the Celtic bar as half-time approached, then a Tokely header failed to find the target from a Jonny Hayes corner.

Interview - Inverness manager Terry Butcher

Shortly after the restart, Samaras forced a corner after a powering run down the right-hand side, but Tansey headed clear and Charlie Mulgrew's cross on the rebound was deflected wide.

Moments later, Samaras and Joe Ledley rushed for the same ball on the six-yard line and a chance to double the lead went over the Inverness crossbar.

The big Greece striker was inches shy of his second of the day as the hour-mark approached, stretching to reach a Ledley pass on the six-yard line that bobbled across the face of goal.

Andrew Shinnie tried with an effort from distance that was deflected out for a corner during a decent spell of pressure for the hosts.

In the 67th minute, Proctor brought down Hooper inside the penalty area with a clumsy challenge from behind and referee Murray immediately pointed to the spot. Brown stepped up and sent keeper Tuffey the wrong way to extend Celtic's lead.

Forster's complacency with a clearance was almost punished by Richie Foran, but the big Englishman recovered to keep his pride intact, then substitute Forrest sprinted through the Inverness defence and fired in a shot that failed to find the back of the net.

With five minutes remaining, Inverness began to to look tired as the visitors pressed for a third.

Gnakpa's long-range injury-time effort sailed wildly over the bar and Anthony Stokes made a late appearance in place of Hooper, but further firepower up front was unrequired as Celtic eased through to the last eight.

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (6)

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

  • 12 Tuffey
  • 03 Tokely
  • 14 Proctor Booked
  • 19 Shinnie
  • 22 Gillet
  • 26 Meekings
  • 07 Hayes (Winnall - 74' )
  • 08 Tansey
  • 09 Foran
  • 11 Ross (Gnakpa - 61' )
  • 15 Tade (Sutherland - 61' )

Substitutes

  • 01 Esson
  • 25 Gnakpa
  • 02 Piermayr
  • 18 Sutherland
  • 20 Winnall

Celtic

  • 01 Forster
  • 06 Wilson
  • 21 Mulgrew
  • 25 Rogne
  • 02 Matthews
  • 08 Brown
  • 16 Ledley (Twardzik - 90' )
  • 67 Wanyama
  • 09 Samaras
  • 15 Commons (Forrest - 62' )
  • 88 Hooper (Stokes - 82' )

Substitutes

  • 24 Zaluska
  • 05 Majstorovic
  • 56 Twardzik
  • 10 Stokes
  • 49 Forrest
Ref: Murray
Att: 5,743

Match Stats

Shots

9 6

On target

3 3

Corners

8 7

Fouls

11 5

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:10 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.

90:00 +2:40

The assistant referee flags for offside against Anthony Stokes. Jonny Tuffey restarts play with the free kick.

90:00 +1:42 Substitution

Substitution (Celtic) makes a substitution, with Filip Twardzik coming on for Joe Ledley.

90:00 +1:42

Claude Gnakpa has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box missing to the wide right of the goal.

89:34

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Greg Tansey played to the near post.

89:16

Anthony Stokes is ruled offside. Jonny Tuffey takes the indirect free kick.

88:29

Effort on goal by Richie Foran from outside the box goes harmlessly over the bar.

85:50

Free kick awarded for a foul by Greg Tansey on Charlie Mulgrew. Free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.

85:14

Foul by Sam Winnall on Victor Wanyama, free kick awarded. Thomas Rogne restarts play with the free kick.

83:47

Victor Wanyama fouled by Shane Sutherland, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.

81:15 Substitution

Substitution Anthony Stokes is brought on as a substitute for Gary Hooper.

81:15

Shot from just outside the box by Graeme Shinnie goes over the bar.

80:45

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Greg Tansey from the left by-line, clearance by Georgios Samaras.

78:10

Outswinging corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance by Josh Meekings.

77:23

Claude Gnakpa takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the crossbar.

73:10 Substitution

Substitution Sam Winnall on for Johnny Hayes.

73:10

James Forrest produces a right-footed shot from close in which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

69:30 Booking

Booking Booking for David Proctor for unsporting behaviour.

67:28 Goal scored

Goal - Scott Brown - Inverness 0 - 2 Celtic Placed penalty scored by Scott Brown. Inverness CT 0-2 Celtic.

66:42

Foul by David Proctor on Gary Hooper, Penalty awarded.

67:28 Goal scored

Goal - Scott Brown - Inverness 0 - 2 Celtic Penalty taken right-footed by Scott Brown and scored. Inverness CT 0-2 Celtic.

66:42

Penalty awarded for a foul by David Proctor on Gary Hooper.

65:24

Richie Foran concedes a free kick for a foul on Scott Brown. The ball is sent over by Charlie Mulgrew, Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster.

61:50 Substitution

Substitution James Forrest on for Kris Commons.

61:01

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Greg Tansey.

59:54 Substitution

Substitution (Inverness CT) makes a substitution, with Claude Gnakpa coming on for Nick Ross.

59:54 Substitution

Substitution Shane Sutherland comes on in place of Gregory Tade.

59:24

The referee blows for offside. Free kick taken by Fraser Forster.

57:22

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Greg Tansey from the left by-line to the near post.

56:34

Foul by Gary Hooper on Kenny Gillet, free kick awarded. Ross Tokely restarts play with the free kick.

55:45

Effort from inside the six-yard box by Georgios Samaras goes wide right of the goal.

54:55

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kelvin Wilson by Johnny Hayes. Kelvin Wilson restarts play with the free kick.

53:42

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Charlie Mulgrew.

52:58

Outswinging corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the left by-line.

51:20

Johnny Hayes decides to take a short corner.

49:53

Close range shot by Georgios Samaras goes over the bar.

48:15

Charlie Mulgrew takes a inswinging corner to the near post, clearance made by Greg Tansey.

46:52

The assistant referee signals for offside against Gregory Tade. Fraser Forster takes the free kick.

45:01

The referee starts the second half.

45:00 +0:38 Half time

Half Time The half-time whistle blows.

41:39

Johnny Hayes is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Thomas Rogne restarts play with the free kick.

41:05

Corner taken by Kris Commons from the right by-line, Kenny Gillet makes a clearance.

39:24

Corner taken left-footed by Johnny Hayes, Close range header by Ross Tokely goes over the bar.

35:55

Free kick awarded for a foul by Scott Brown on Gregory Tade. Greg Tansey restarts play with the free kick.

35:17

Kris Commons takes the inswinging corner, save by Jonny Tuffey.

33:48

Effort from outside the penalty box by Johnny Hayes goes wide right of the goal.

32:09 Goal scored

Goal - Georgios Samaras - Inverness 0 - 1 Celtic A goal is scored by Georgios Samaras from inside the area to the top left corner of the goal. Inverness CT 0-1 Celtic.

31:20

Nick Ross takes a shot. Save made by Fraser Forster.

29:17

Gary Hooper takes a shot. Comfortable save by Jonny Tuffey.

26:06

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Richie Foran by Scott Brown. Kenny Gillet restarts play with the free kick.

24:25

Kris Commons fouled by Richie Foran, the ref awards a free kick. Fraser Forster takes the free kick.

23:11

Nick Ross takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster. Corner taken right-footed by Greg Tansey, Josh Meekings takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster.

22:38

Corner taken by Johnny Hayes from the right by-line played to the near post, Kris Commons manages to make a clearance.

15:52

Kenny Gillet concedes a free kick for a foul on Gary Hooper. Indirect free kick taken by Kelvin Wilson.

14:33

Joe Ledley challenges Richie Foran unfairly and gives away a free kick. Indirect free kick taken by David Proctor.

12:53

Charlie Mulgrew gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Nick Ross. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Greg Tansey from right channel, Charlie Mulgrew makes a clearance.

10:55

Foul by Gregory Tade on Charlie Mulgrew, free kick awarded. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.

10:55

Foul by Gregory Tade on Charlie Mulgrew, free kick awarded. Indirect free kick taken by Fraser Forster,

4:21

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Charlie Mulgrew by Gregory Tade. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.

3:22

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Scott Brown played to the near post, Kenny Gillet manages to make a clearance.

2:42

Unfair challenge on Thomas Rogne by Gregory Tade results in a free kick. Kris Commons takes the indirect free kick.

0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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