Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda fire holders Celtic into cup quarter-finals

Japanese duo Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda scored as holders Celtic beat spirited St Mirren 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

Furuhashi finished off a fine move against the run of play after 15 minutes to give the cinch Premiership leaders a slender half-time lead at the SMiSA Stadium.

Alex Gogic had come close a couple of times for the Buddies in the first half but the Saints could not find a breakthrough and Maeda pounced from close range in the 52nd minute to double Celtic's lead.

St Mirren could not get back into the game and will rue missed chances and although it was not a sparkling performance from a Celtic side who have been unconvincing recently, it kept intact boss Brendan Rodgers’ record of not having lost a Scottish Cup tie in two spells at the club.

And Celtic were rewarded with a home quarter-final tie against Livingston in the draw which followed their 2-0 away win.

Rangers will travel to Hibernian while in another all-cinch Premiership encounter, Neil Warnock's Aberdeen will host Kilmarnock, managed by former Dons boss Derek McInnes.

Championship side Greenock Morton, who beat Motherwell on Friday, were drawn at home to the winners of the Airdrieonians v Hearts tie which takes place on Sunday afternoon. The games will be played on the weekend of 9 March.

Last season’s domestic treble winners did not arrive in Paisley without concerns.

Despite sitting three points clear of Old Firm rivals Rangers at the top of the Premiership, many fans have been at loggerheads with the club, from complaints about the board’s perceived resistance to splashing the cash in the recent transfer window to Rodgers and his team’s style of play.

The Hoops boss brought in Furuhashi to support birthday boy Adam Idah,