On their way to a 2004/05 Scottish Cup final win over Dundee United at Hampden, the Celts met Rangers on this day as the Glasgow sides opened up their tournament campaign against each other.

Here’s how that week’s Celtic View reported on the action.

Scottish Cup 3rd Round,

Sunday January 9, 2005,

Celtic Park

CELTIC... 2

(Sutton 37, Hartson 77)

RANGERS... 1

(Ricksen 46)

The powerful strike duo of John Hartson and Chris Sutton again proved that they're worth their considerable weight in gold as Celtic advanced to the fourth round of the Scottish Cup with a deserved victory over their oldest rivals.

It was hardly a classic derby, but there was no questioning that Martin O'Neill's side enjoyed the best of a scruffy match that preserved the Irishman's unbeaten record against Rangers at Celtic Park.

Hartson and Sutton also re-affirmed that they were not necessarily too similar to decide even the most significant of matches by combining to fashion out of nothing the game's all-important goals, and in doing so strengthen the Hoops' grip on the Scottish Cup.

It wasn't all plain sailing, though, and even with the ever-reliable Jackie McNamara holding midfield in Neil Lennon's absence, the absence of the former Leicester man was painfully evident, particularly during some fraught early exchanges that Rangers dominated.

True, clear-cut chances were conspicuous by their absence, but there was nevertheless enough evidence of slackness in Celtic's play - such as when Dado Prso nearly snuck in on a suicidal defensive pass from Alan Thompson - to give plenty cause for concern.

O'Neill's side improved with every passing minute, though, and were soon registering efforts of their own, the first of which saw Stiliyan Petrov pounce on Marvin Andrews' half-clearance to test Stefan Klos at his near post with a well struck left-foot volley.

Four minutes later, Hartson leaped highest to meet a deep, lofted cross from Thompson and, when Klos could only parry, Andrews had to dash frantically across to scramble the ball behind.

Rangers, faced with a sustained period of Celtic pressure, were growing increasingly desperate in their attempts to keep their hosts at bay, and it was little short of a miracle that Klos survived on the half-hour when a left-footed cross from Aiden McGeady resulted in a goalmouth stramash in which both Sutton and Hartson very nearly scored.

The German would not be so fortunate when the Hoops next threatened. Route one it most certainly was, but there was no quibbling with the skill and agility shown by Sutton in launching himself forward to knock the ball through Klos' legs after Hartson had flicked on Rab Douglas' long punt forward.

Celtic’s Scottish Cup derby progress on this day in 2005