Celtic 2 Kilmarnock 1: Brendan Rodgers' proud Scottish Cup record remains after Maeda winner and keeper's nasty knock

BRENDAN RODGERS has never lost a Scottish Cup tie and it’s now 18 wins in a row.

But without taking any deserved credit from stubborn Killie, how Rodgers’ Bhoys made heavy work of this latest triumph.

8 Brendan Rodgers remains unbeaten in the Scottish Cup over two spells at Celtic Credit: Getty

8 Daizen Maeda tucked away the winner with 20 minutes to play Credit: Kenny Ramsay

8 Captain Callum McGregor was also on the scoresheet Credit: Kenny Ramsay

Callum McGregor and Daizen Maeda got the goals – yet glaring opportunities were passed up either half for a far easier evening.

Kid Bobby Wales had Killie level and they were alive right to the end.

Auston Trusty was publicly criticised by Rodgers in the wake of the 3-3 draw against Dundee.

But the Celts boss stood by him for this while making four other changes.

Dropping out were Luke McCowan, Paulo Bernardo, Yang Hyun-jun and Adam Idah. Coming in were Arne Engels, Reo Hatate, Nicolas Kuhn and Maeda.

Killie boss Derek McInnes signed Liverpool and ex-Aberdeen full-back Calvin Ramsay during the week and immediately involved the loan capture with a place on the bench.

There was a fine minute’s applause for the late Denis Law before kick-off.

Managers can plan in detail all they want in the build-up to games – what they can’t legislate for is losing their keeper within 25 SECONDS of kick-off.

For the third time during a match this season Killie No1 Robby McCrorie had to be replaced following a shuddering collision with Kuhn,

Celtic fans set off huge pyro display as teams walk out against Dundee

The German winger – racing clean through to a fine Furuhashi pass – took a heavy touch which invited McCrorie to race out and bravely dive at his feet and get the better of the 50-50.

But the keeper also took Kuhn’s knee to his face and immediately looked in difficulty as he lay on the ground and ref Nick Walsh instantly stopped the game for treatment.

McCrorie thankfully recovered after a lengthy delay but after getting up on his feet, looking groggy and his right eye puffy, he couldn’t carry on and Kieran O’Hara went in goal.

Instead of unsettling Killie they quickly got on with the job of hounding the Hoops and won a seventh minute free-kick in good position following a clumsy Cameron Carter-Vickers challenge on Fraser Murray.

Murray then took his chances from 25-yards at a slight angle – beating Kasper Schmeichel but seeing the ball rattle the crossbar, with the Celts No1 possibly getting a slight touch.

Within seconds of the ball rebounding back into play Celtic stunningly raced up the pitch and Kuhn slipped in Maeda in the box. He just had O’Hara to beat but the keeper did well parrying his shot.

O’Hara comfortably saved a Hatate shot but he could do nothing about McGregor’s 12th minute strike.

Carter-Vickers’ crisp ball through to Furuhashi was met with a neat lay-off to the captain who was able to glide forward untroubled before unleashing a superb low, left-foot shot beyond O’Hara.

Furuhashi then ran through the middle of his defence untroubled and with all the time in the world to beat O’Hara.

Man bys How they rated... Celtic: Schmeichel 6, Johnston 6, Taylor 6 (Scales, 83, 3) Trusty 6, Carter-Vickers 6, McGregor 7, Engels 7 (Bernardo, 67, 4), Hatate 6 (McCowan, 93, 1) Furuhashi 6 (Idah, 83, 3) Kuhn 7, Maeda 6. Kilmarnock: McCrorie 1 (O’Hara, 1, 6) Mayo 8, Wright 6, Deas 6, Ndaba 7, Donnelly 6 (McKenzie, 66, 4), Lyons 3 (Armstrong, 40, 5), Polworth 6 (Watson, 66, 4), Wales 6 (Anderson, 86, 2) Murray 7, Watkins 6. Booked: Polworth. Sheerin Referee: Nick Walsh 7

But the Japanese frontman fired wide from the edge of the box.

Four minutes later Killie had a penalty claim swatted away by whistler Walsh, with Liam Polworth appearing to be caught by Hatate on the Celts star’s blindside and going down.

The ref couldn’t have been better placed and he wasn’t interested.

Celtic responded with yet another sitter – Hatate racing to the six-yard box and wildly blasting over from a tremendous Engels drilled ball.

It was a shocking miss and eight minutes later the playmaker blasted a volley high and wide.

Killie suffered another injury blow with the loss of captain Brad Lyons – but the entrance of Danny Armstrong signalled an increase in the visitors’ threat.

A minute into added time Killie levelled to stun the home crowd, although the goal could easily have been disallowed.

Wide-man Murray – who repeatedly troubled Alistair Johnston – swung in another decent cross which caused chaos in Celtic’s defence.

It couldn’t be cleared and a stabbed effort ricocheted off Robbie Deas’ arm and went straight into the path of Wales four yards out who fired into the net off a diving Schmeichel.

TV replays showed the ball clearly diverting off Deas perfectly for the teenage striker.

8 Robby McCrorie collided with Nicolas Kuhn after just 22 seconds Credit: Kenny Ramsay

8 The keeper was forced to come off after the sickening clash Credit: Kenny Ramsay

8 Killie pulled one back through Bobby Wales before half-time Credit: Kenny Ramsay

8 VAR told Nick Walsh the goal could stand despite handball claims Credit: Kenny Ramsay

Ref Walsh wanted ultimate confirmation of a goal from VAR man Steven McLean and moments later it was given to Killie’s glee. It was a BIG call.

Now profligate Celtic had a proper second half test against a side that had regularly made life difficult for them in recent years.

Killie were frustrating their hosts and troubling them on the break.

Hatate had a weak shot easily saved and got slaughtered by fans also exposing their anxiety. Furuhashi also shot over.

But stout Killie were staying in the game, defending well, and by the midway point there was restlessness within the home fans.

Celtic, though, went ahead again the in the 70th minute, Kuhn putting in Maeda and the winger calmly side-footing past O’Hara.

A furious Paul Sheerin was booked for dissent after believing his side had a foul overlooked seconds before.

Kuhn rattled the crossbar with a 72nd minute shot and then Hatate had an effort brilliantly tipped away by O’Hara.

Celtic, however, couldn’t kill off Killie who had menace on the counter – with Deas having an effort saved by Schmeichel.

It was an absorbing game and in the dying moments Kuhn missed a glorious chance before Maeda, in injury time, stabbed the ball home but VAR ruled offside.

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