Celtic 2-0 Raith: Hoops progress to last eight of League Cup

Celtic booked their passage into the quarter-finals of the Scottish League Cup with a workmanlike 2-0 win over Raith Rovers, with Kris Commons and Stefan Johansen on the scoresheet.

The Championship side, favouring a 4-5-1 formation, were content to pack their defence in the opening quarter at Celtic Park but Craig Wighton still found time to force home keeper Craig Gordon into early action.

Celtic, 15-time winners of the trophy and the current holders, were content to probe patiently and their possession finally told when Commons (32) lashed the ball into the net from 22 yards.

Ross Matthews volleyed over from 16 yards for the visitors before Johansen (87) finally secured Celtic's place in the last eight after a lung-bursting run.

Ronny Deila made six changes to the side which started in the 6-0 win over Dundee on Sunday; top scorer Leigh Griffiths dropped out as Nadir Ciftci led the line in his first domestic start since signing from Dundee United in the summer with places for Tyler Blackett and the quietly impressive Kieran Tierney in defence.

After Commons had opened the scoring with a low left-foot drive, Kyle Benedictus had to throw himself to block a goal-bound drive by Tierney for a corner, before Commons fired over from 18 yards.

The visitors might have levelled in the 58th minute when a long-throw by right-back Jason Thomson into the box fell to Matthews, but his volley cleared the bar.

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In the 65th minute, just after Gordon saved a decent long-range effort from Rovers midfielder James Craigen, Deila brought on James Forrest and Tom Rogic for Callum McGregor and Commons respectively and some chances arrived.

Gary Mackay-Steven had a shot deflected past for a fruitless corner and then had an even better chance when Rogic set him up 10 yards out but Kevin Cuthbert made a fine save.

Forrest curled a shot just past the post from the edge of the penalty area moments later, as did Rogic with 10 minutes remaining.

The increasingly restless home fans held their breath in the 83rd minute when former Rangers striker Jon Daly, on as Rovers substitute for Iain Davidson, scooped a shot over the bar from six yards.

However, Celtic nerves were eased four minutes later when Johansen raced clear of the Rovers defence to knock the ball past Cuthbert, with time for Aiden Nesbitt to come on for Ciftci to make his debut.

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