Win Against Dundee Sets Up Final Date Against Rangers

Draw With Caley Thistle Cuts League Lead To Two Points

Inverness Caledonian Thistle's new manager Terry Butcher got his reign off to a good start on Sunday as his new charges held Celtic to a 0-0 draw.

To be fair, some of the most difficult games at this time of year are against teams at the bottom of the table, as they fight to avoid relegation, but this was a game that Celtic should have won.

Despite this, Caley Thistle had the best of the chances available early on, Dougie Imrie denied by Boruc and Richie Foran seeing his effort which found the back of the net ruled offside.

Samaras had one or two good chances but failed to take advantage and even the return of Stephen McManus and Barry Robson couldn't break the tie.

Manager Gordon Strachan was rueful, but realistic about the result, saying, "It was nothing different from what we have had here before. We got the same type of performance from Inverness.

"It could have been any one of the games we've had here before.

"We've tried different teams. I've tried an all-skilful team, the stronger ones, taller ones. But, at this moment in time, we are not getting performances.

"We''ve got the footballers, we've got the better players, but we didn't play well, especially in the first half."

The draw, following Rangers' 2-0 home victory over Dundee United leaves Celtic just two points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

There was better news in midweek, as a relatively-inexperienced Celtic side won a thriller at Hampden to advance to a CIS Insurance Cup Final berth against Rangers - the first Old Firm final since 2003.

While the game was another 0-0 draw, played on a sodden pitch, both teams had plenty of chances to take a decisive lead, Boruc descisively denying United's Flood and Zaluska doing the same against a Scott Brown threat at the other end.

In the end, it came down to a penalty shoot-out in which both teams were successful in their first ten attempts.

Willo Flood missed his second try and Scott McDonald ended the tension by striking the ball into the back of the net to advance Celtic to the final.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan: "I really thought we were terrific and I think the games should have been finished before the shoot-out.

"You've got to give credit to Dundee United for standing up and being counted.

"I thought the best player on the pitch was Marc Crosas - for being out for so long - was terrific, but neither side had too many weaknesses.

"I do believe, since I came back here for football, Lee Wilkie's comeback from injury has been one of the outstanding things I''ve seen.

"Like most people, I thought he was dead and buried for being out for three years and I think he's every right to be involved in player of the year."

On Friday, Celtic completed the signing of Cardiff's Irish midfielder Willo Flood in a two-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old, who has appeared for Dundee United almost seventy times during his loan - the last against Celtic in the CIS Insurance Cup semi-final on Wednesday - told the club website: "It really is a tremendous honour to sign for a club of Celtic's stature.

"I have been a fan of Celtic all my life and this is a dream come true."

"This is an exciting challenge and one which I am really looking forward to," he added.

"I will be joining a great group of players and I will be giving everything I can to make as big a contribution as possible to Celtic.

"I hope to play my part in achieving more and more success for the club and its supporters."