Second half goals from Ciaran Diver (2) and Michael Johnston earned Celtic a 3-0 win over Queens Park in the Glasgow Cup at Lesser Hampden.
The home side had a player sent off in the fifth minute for being over enthusiastic as he tried to wrestle the ball back at a free-kick which instantly handed Celtic an advantage.
Celtic’s main route to goal during the first half came down the flanks with Diver blocking a net-bound Wallace Duffy effort in the fifth minute following a corner from the right with Ross McLaughlin sending a glancing header wide shortly afterwards.
In the 20th minute the Queens keeper brilliantly pushed a close range Broque Watson header onto the post but after weathering that spell the home side held firm, retaining possession well and causing some danger on the counter attack.
After the break Diver came in off the left flank to form a more traditional partnership with Johnston with both players having chances in the opening minutes of the second half.
Diver made the breakthrough in the 49th minute with a well placed header out of reach of the keeper after Kerr McInroy sent in a telling cross from the left.
Celtic began to dominate after going ahead with Johnston catching the eye with his dribbling ability in the final third emphasised in the 73rd minute when he drilled home a low shot off the post and into the net from the edge of the penalty box.
The best goal of the night came with nine minutes left to play when Johnston played a perfect through ball for Driver to race onto before finishing with the assurance of a veteran to wrap up the victory.
CELTIC: Aidan McAdams: Stephen Welsh, Wallace Duffy, Ryan McKendry (Robbie Deas 46), Daniel Church; Dan McAllister (Christian Antoniazzi 87), Kerr McInroy; Broque Watson (Keiran Campbell 67), Ross McLaughlin, Ciaran Diver; Michael Johnston
I like quickly played through balls. Wish we saw more of them with the big Bhoys …