Mark Viduka proved he has more magic in his repertoire than a disappearing act as he conjured up a goal to remember on his first Celtic start to set up a lively success over Greenock Morton.

The ninth minute effort was the first of what proved a brace as with seven minutes remaining Viduka's fortunate deflection on a Henrik Larsson shot effectively sealed victory.

Larsson himself had already punished slackness by Morton defender Paul Fenwick after 58 minutes at a time the First Division side looked dangerous and even in control.

It was December that Viduka completed his already protracted move to Celtic, but the Parkhead team were forced to delay his introduction after he dramatically quit the club.

His eventual return saw another wait while he found the fitness lost during his period away from Scotland when it began to look doubtful whether he would ever play for Celtic.

But tonight the £3million recruit from Croatia Zagreb produced a double which would have graced better venues than spartan Cappielow in this Scottish Cup quarter-final clash.

Celtic were never quite at their most convincing in cramped surroundings which limited their customary fluidity against opposition determined to deny them any available space.

Their win was marred with five minutes remaining when Johan Mjallby was sent off for a second bookable offence, but by then Celtic were three ahead and cruising at last.

Overall the quality touches shown by Viduka and Swedish attacking partner Larsson proved enough to move Celtic into the last four and leaves the prospect of an Old Firm final looming.

To their credit, in front of the Sky cameras Morton threatened from the outset, Kevin Twaddle forcing Celtic keeper Jonathan Gould to palm the ball away inside 40 seconds.

But Celtic quickly settled to a new environment and Swedish defender Mjallby saw a header loop against the bar after five minutes to offer a first response.

Stephane Mahe was forced to depart through injury, Tosh McKinlay on after just six minutes, while Vidar Riseth was fortunate only to be yellow-carded after a clash with Kevin Thomas.

Then after nine minutes, Viduka gained possession in the Morton penalty, dragged the ball back to trick John Anderson, before firing into the top corner with the outside of his foot.

It was a goal of true quality and inspired Celtic to attack in numbers, Craig Burley rifling an effort narrowly wide of the mark as the visitors pressed.

Tom Boyd then came close to producing a rare goal after being fed by Riseth he cut inside with purpose before curling a low shot the wrong side of the post.

After 21 minutes, Riseth played in Viduka again and he almost both his and Celtic's tally with a powerful angled drive against the inside of the post.

Moments later, Thomas was only booked after seemingly raising an arm to Mjallby, yet Celtic's failure to secure a second kept Morton in the contest until the break.

Ahead of the interval, Larsson had a shot pushed away well by Ally Maxwell and in the closing minute of the half, Burley snatched at another promising opportunity.

Morton started the second-half in positive manner and Twaddle's 50th minute cross found an unmarked Thomas whose free header was straight at Gould in the Celtic goal.

After 55 minutes, Gould flapped at a Craig McPherson free kick and from the resulting corner Stephen Aitken's drive was blocked when it looked goalward bound.

It was therefore against the run of play Celtic moved two ahead, Paul Fenwick's weak back-header seized upon by Larsson who volleyed past Maxwell to ease any lingering nerves.

Still Morton refused to accept their fate, a Thomas header setting up a goalmouth scramble Gould somehow emerged from clutching the ball, while at the other end Maxwell saved smartly from Blinker.

Morton thought they had pulled a vital goal back when Derek Anderson had the ball in the net deflecting an effort from his namesake John, but offside was the verdict.

After 83 minutes, Viduka claimed a second courtesy of a fluke as after Larsson drove a shot straight at him, the Australian stuck out a leg and netted - it was clearly his night.

Viduka was duly substituted to a standing ovation, but his team-mate Mjallby departed in less happy circumstances, a foul on Thomas producing a second yellow card and instant ordering-off.

Teams:

Greenock Morton: Maxwell, Aitken, Archdeacon, D. Anderson, J. Anderson, Fenwick, Twaddle (Wright 88), Curren, Matheson,Thomas, McPherson.

Subs Not Used: Slaven, Blaikie.

Booked: Thomas, Curren, D. Anderson, Twaddle.

Celtic: Gould, Boyd, Mahe (McKinlay 5), Stubbs, Larsson, Burley, Viduka (Brattbakk 88), Lambert, Blinker, Riseth, Mjallby.

Subs Not Used: Kerr.

Sent Off: Mjallby (85).

Booked: Riseth, Mjallby.

Goals: Viduka 9, Larsson 58, Viduka 83.

Ref: K Clark (Paisley).