Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Rocco Vata capitalized on a surprise chance for Celtic, scoring his first goal for the club in a 5-0 win over Buckie Thistle.
Vata appeared to be headed for a departure from Celtic after his links with several clubs in Serie A surfaced, but amid reports of contract extension negotiations after the summer, he was forced into a draw in the fourth round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup. An 18-year-old player who came off the bench in the match.
The Glasgow-born winger scored his fifth goal from close range as Celtic eased into a drawn fifth round match against St Mirren.
Odin Thiago Holm also scored his first Celtic goal, while Paulo Bernardo, Kyōgo Furuhashi and Luis Palma also scored.
However, Thistle’s offside trap kept the score at a decent level and Celtic had four goals disallowed.
The Highland League team even had a moment to thrill the approximately 3,000 traveling supporters at the other end.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has named a strong squad with only Callum McGregor rested. The captain has been given an extended winter break, ending the midfielder’s streak of 59 consecutive starts until December 2022.
Holm replaced McGregor in his fourth start of the season, while Liel Abada returned to the starting lineup for the first time since sustaining a thigh injury in September.
Bucky had his first taste of VAR two minutes later when referee Chris Graham was called to the monitor to see what appeared to be a trip on Avada, but he was found offside in the build-up.
This would be a usual theme in this match, but Bucky was once again in trouble when Greg Taylor had a goal disallowed for a narrow offside decision after the left-back’s cross hit Thistle goalkeeper Stuart Knight. I managed to escape.
The breakthrough finally came in the 25th minute when Bernardo took a quick pass from Matt O’Reilly and lofted the ball over Knight.
Furuhashi’s goal was disallowed as Avada was ruled offside before he crossed, but in the 33rd minute, Holm hit the post after a one-two with O’Reilly and scored a goal.
After centre-forward Josh Peters played clean through, Ireland senior international defender Liam Scales’ header flicked over the bar before Bucky fans were on their feet. Joe Hart made a save with his feet and was suspected of offside, but the flag was not raised and Celtic continued to play and broke, with Furuhashi converting Abada’s low cross four minutes before half-time.
There was still time for one more cancellation before half-time, with Abada again catching O’Reilly’s pass and Bernardo scoring.
Parma extended their lead in the 50th minute when he cut in from the right and fired a left-footed shot inside the near post from 20 yards out.
Abada then fired a shot wide of the target from a simple chance, but became the latest Celtic player to have a goal disallowed for offside.
Bucky fans dreamed again when a VAR check was carried out for a possible penalty after Scales grappled with Peters, but the match continued.
Verta, who scored twice on his debut for Ireland Under-21s against San Marino at Turners Cross in September last year, benefited from the wing play of fellow Boys in Green senior international Mikey Johnston, who also came on as a substitute. , scored a home goal in the 76th minute.
Rodgers handed his debut to 18-year-old midfielder Daniel Kelly and brought on Stephen Welsh, but the defender was seven minutes too late to face his cousin Peters, who was sent off for the away team.
Knight made good saves from Parma and Kerry before Bucky’s players received praise from the supporters.
Celtic will have a short trip to play St Mirren in their next game, but Rangers have only drawn once in the last 16 of the All Premiership, drawing at home to Ayr.
Aberdeen hosted Bonnyrigg Rose, who beat Falkirk, while Airdrie were rewarded with a win over St Johnstone and a home draw with Hearts.
Hibernian travel to Inverness to take on Duncan Ferguson’s men, while Motherwell travel to Greenock to take on Dougie Imrie’s Morton side.
Partick Thistle had a chance to beat another top club with a win over Ross County after a draw at home to Livingston.
Kilmarnock will find out their opponents on Tuesday when Brora Rangers take on Cobh Rangers for the right to travel to Rugby Park.
The matches will be held on the weekend of February 10th and 11th.