A Scott Sinclair double and Timothy Weah's late goal saw Celtic to a 3-0 victory, but the Diamonds can be proud of their performance against the Scottish Cup holders.

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Airdrie's involvement in the cup is over for another season, however it took the home side 37 minutes to make the breakthrough before going on to make sure of the win.

 

David Hutton, who was the Diamonds' outstanding performer, was called into action n after only three minutes when Calum McGregor and Anthony Ralston combined on the right with the full back racing into the box only for Hutton to save the shot at the near post.

 

Celtic were prepared to shoot on sight with Dedryck Boyata firing a long range attempt high over the crossbar on five minutes, Scott Sinclair sending in a low effort after 12 minutes which Hutton gathered comfortably, and Boyata’s long ball seeing Ryan Christie volley just over after quarter of an hour.

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Airdrie striker  Leighton McIntosh looked set to break forward in 21 minutes only for Boyata’s challenge to send the ball back to his keeper.

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With 29 minutes on the clock good play from Emilio Izaguirre saw him pick out James Forrest inside the box, though the midfielder's well-struck volley was well taken by Hutton.

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Two minutes later Celtic had a penalty awarded. Ralston weaved his way into the box and Chris O’Neil was judged to have fouled Izaguirre. Hutton made a brilliant save as he dived to his right to push away Sinclair’s spot kick.

 

Sinclair then missed another opportunity from close range, before breaking the deadlock on 37 minutes when he reacted to another decent save, sending the ball high into the net from two yards out.

 

Hutton continued to keep the Diamonds in the match when he turned Christie's 25-yard free kick over his crossbar with a couple of minutes of the half remaining.

 

Scott Bain made a triple save in first half stoppage time to keep Celtic in front. A wonderful Scott Stewart run into the box was followed with a great ball across goal that Kyle Wilkie sent towards goal and the Celtic keeper kept him out, then Leighton McIntosh forced a save and several Airdrie players tried to get good contact but Bain and his team mates kept the Diamonds out.

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Five minutes after the restart Izaguirre played McGregor into the box though once more Hutton was equal to the shot on goal to make the save.  

 

Celtic doubled their lead on 56 minutes after Christie’s corner was headed on by Boyata then deflected by McIntosh. Hutton made a reflex save only for Sinclair to score once again from close range.

 

Hutton turned away a 20-yard effort from Forrest for a corner after he had linked well with Oliver Burke.

 

Airdrie got a break when Sinclair netted again on 68 minutes, but the goal was incorrectly disallowed after he ran from an onside position.

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Seven minutes from time Celtic scored their third goal when Boyata’s long ball through the middle saw new signing Timothy Weah get to it ahead of Hutton and slide the ball under the keeper to score.

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The Diamonds gave their all but can now focus on the priority of league points.