Celtic 3-0 Falkirk: James Forrest scores as Scottish Cup holders progress

James Forrest scored on his first Celtic start since September as the Scottish Cup holders overcame Falkirk's stubborn resistance in the third round.

The winger found the net with the aid of a deflection after the League 1 leaders had kept their hosts at bay for 55 minutes.

Ryan Christie's low strike quickly doubled the lead.

And substitute Mohamed Elyounoussi's deft chip gave Celtic a scoreline that better reflected their dominance.

With Eddie Howe in advanced talks to become Celtic's new manager, victory maintains their hopes of a record-extending fifth successive Scottish Cup.

• Reaction & as it happened

David Turnbull's low bending shot was pushed wide by Robbie Mutch in the opening minutes and Leigh Griffiths turned wide at the resulting corner when he really should have scored.

Christie also threatened but his three first-half efforts were all too high, as was a Turnbull free-kick.

Kristoffer Ajer's marauding runs became a feature of the match and the Norway defender fired wide at the end of one venture into Falkirk territory.

Griffiths, who had a first-half penalty appeal turned down, tested Mutch early in the second period as the hosts' relentless pressure continued.

And when the opener came, it had a touch of fortune as Forrest retrieved Tom Rogic's pass on the left of the Falkirk box and fired into the opposite corner off Lewis Neilson's head. It was the Scotland player's first goal since an ankle injury in September kept him out for almost six months.

Falkirk had struggled to retain possession whenever they got beyond their own defensive third and their task grew much harder when Christie turned on the edge of the box and beat Mutch at his near post.

Mutch continued to be busy with another Turnbull effort blocked. Forrest hit the rebound narrowly wide and soon made way for Elyounoussi, having previously made just two substitute appearances in 2021.

And Elyounoussi made an impact off the bench, latching on to Jonjoe Kenny's cross and flicking the ball over Mutch.

Kenny and Griffiths' replacement Albian Ajeti missed further Celtic chances before captain Scott Brown, who will join Aberdeen this summer, forced a late save by Mutch.

What did they say?

Celic winger James Forrest: "I'm delighted. Starting was a big achievement. It's great to add the goal. The first couple of months was definitely the hardest. Since the turn of the year I've been back in amongst the team training. I just want to keep doing what I'm doing just now."

Celtic interim manager John Kennedy: "We've missed James Forrest. He's an eliminator, he's direct and he's hungry for goals. It's great to have him back and good to get him on the scoresheet.

"Second half, the boys were terrific - very professional, kept the ball moving, tired Falkirk out and then the spaces open up. The guys we've got in the team, they've got massive quality and that comes through in the end."

Falkirk co-manager Lee Miller: "It was always going to be a tough ask for us to compete with them for 90 minutes. Really proud of the way the boys applied themselves. I thought we defended really well.

"The fighting spirit was there for all to see. It's a great experience for them. Everybody worked hard right until the final whistle. We're not going to be judged on this, our bread and butter is the league."