Craig Bellamy hit his first goal for the Tennent's Scottish Cup holders as
they emerged from a tough week and early scare at Broadwood to enjoy a five-goal
romp to book their semi-final place.
The on-loan striker hit his first Celtic goal in his second match to complete
the scoring after a Stanislav Varga double, Alan Thompson penalty and Stilian
Petrov strike had sunk a shellshocked Clyde, who were angered by a controversial
first-half incident.
Before the holders had got into their stride after their Old Firm defeat, the
First Division high-flyers were denied a goal when referee Craig Thomson harshly
disallowed Craig Bryson's strike for already blowing for a Stilian Petrov foul.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill kept faith with under-fire goalkeeper Robert
Douglas despite gifting Rangers their opening goal last week, while Stephane
Henchoz and Juninho came in for suspended John Hartson and Ulrik Laursen. Clyde
boss Billy Reid made one alteration from the side which beat Ross County with
Alex Burns making way for Gary Arbuckle.
Bellamy looked eager to make up for last week's disappointing debut as he
linked up well with strike partner Chris Sutton early on and showed his pace.
But James Gibson should have tested Douglas as the Celtic defence got caught
sleeping in the eighth minute.
Ian Harty picked out his team-mate on the edge of the area but he snatched at
his shot and did little to trouble the former Dundee favourite.
But Celtic came back with Alan Thompson throwing in a dangerous free-kick but
Stuart Balmer was back to head clear with Varga lurking ominously.
Bellamy showed a quick turn of pace in the 17th minute to leave former Rangers
man Gary Bollan for dead and he pulled the ball across the face of goal from the
byline with Juninho waiting but Bryn Halliwell did well to direct it for a
corner.
The Clyde keeper also saved Sutton's low strike on the turn moments later but
he looked far from convincing with his kicking.
But the game became embroiled in controversy in the 31st minute.
Referee Craig Thomson failed to play advantage and blew for a foul from Petrov
before Bryson smacked a stunning right-foot effort into the top corner from just
outside the box.
From the resulting free-kick, Douglas threw himself to his right to tip a
Darren Sheridan effort around the post to go some way to making amends for last
week.
But the Celtic goalkeeper looked unsteady moments later as he came close to
handling outside the area.
That, however, woke Celtic and Henchoz headed wide before Varga got on the end
of Juninho's corner to head the ball into the empty net with Halliwell flapping
at thin air.
Thompson was booked for dissent to illustrate just how frustrated Celtic had
become in a nervous first period.
O'Neill made one change at the break with Shaun Maloney coming on for Sutton,
who picked up an ankle injury, for his first first-team appearance for Celtic
this season.
And the youngster made an instant impact when his free-kick crashed back off
the wall and he was brought down by Gary Arbuckle as he poked the ball past
him.
Thompson stepped up to coolly fire the ball into the bottom corner to send his
side into the last four.
Celtic were a much better side after the second goal and Petrov watched his
dipping volley come back off the crossbar before Juninho flashed an effort
across the face of goal.
The Brazilian was enjoying one of his better games in the Hoops and he
exchanged passes with Petrov before the Bulgarian international skipper slipped
the ball into the bottom corner on the hour mark.
Reid responded by making two changes with Arbuckle and Sheridan being replaced
by Alex Burns and Mark Gilhaney.
Celtic increased their lead further in the 68th minute when Varga was given
far too much space to comfortably turn in a Thompson corner.
O'Neill made two changes with the midweek game with Dundee in mind as Lennon
and Petrov made way for Aiden McGeady and Paul Lambert before Bellamy opened up
his Celtic account.
Juninho and Maloney combined to find the Welsh international and he
emphatically swept the ball past Halliwell to erase last week's result from his
and his team-mates' minds.
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